Remembering Don Everly
• Don Everly, half of legendary Everly Brothers duo, who, alongside his late brother Phil, inspired several generations of songwriters and performers, died Saturday, August 21 in Nashville at the age of 84.
A spokesperson for the family confirmed Everly’s death to the Los Angeles Times, but did not disclose a cause. A statement from Everly’s family read in part, “Don lived by what he felt in his heart. Don expressed his appreciation for the ability to live his dreams … with his soulmate and wife, Adela, and sharing the music that made him an Everly Brother.” Phil Everly died of lung disease on Jan. 3, 2014 at 74.
With their unmistakable family harmonies, the Everly Brothers enjoyed major chart success with “Bye Bye Love” in 1957, followed by “Wake Up Little Susie” and “All I Have to Do Is Dream,” both written by Boudleaux Bryant; and “Cathy’s Clown,” which was a No. 1 hit in 1960 — and a No. 1 Country hit for Reba McEntire in 1989. The Everly’s harmonies also influenced The Beatles, The Beach Boys and Simon & Garfunkel in the ’60s, and a decade later, their Appalachian roots inspired Country rockers like Gram Parsons and Linda Ronstadt, who had a hit with her 1972 cover of “When Will I Be Loved.”
After a decade of estrangement, the brothers reunited in 1983 for a concert in London and a comeback album, EB84, produced by Dave Edmunds. Along with songs by Jeff Lynne and Nick Lowe, the album also featured the Paul McCartney-penned single “On the Wings of a Nightingale.” It was a chance to pay back for what The Beatles had learned from the brothers, as McCartney noted, “When John and I first started to write songs, I was Phil and he was Don.” Brian Wilson tweeted, “I’m sad to hear about Don Everly passing. The Everly Brothers were a big influence on us and we learned a lot from their beautiful harmonies. Love & mercy to Don’s family.”
The Everly Brothers were in the inaugural group of inductees into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, alongside fellow luminaries Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis. They were also members of the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry, and in 2019, Don Everly was voted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville.
Don Everly is survived by his mother, Margaret; his wife, Adela; his son, Edan; and his daughters Venetia, Stacy and Erin, ex-wife of Guns N’ Roses singer Axl Rose.
For a more in-depth look at Everly’s life and career, please take the time to read the excellent piece in Variety from our friend and former Billboard colleague Chris Morris.
