Posted on 08/22/2021 4:06:10 AM PDT by 11th_VA
Don Everly, the last surviving member of the Everly Brothers and a pioneer of rock ‘n’ roll, died at his home in Nashville on Saturday. He was 84.
A spokesperson for the family confirmed Everly’s death with The Times, but did not disclose a cause. A statement from the 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.”
Don and his younger brother Phil were in the first group to be inaugurated in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, alongside Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis. Their family harmonies set them apart, as did an out-of-time gentleness: the Everly Brothers’ well-crafted songs floated between country and city and moved with the rhythms of a dream.
In a five-year span from 1957 to 1962, they had 15 top 10 hits, among them: “Bye Bye Love,” which launched them; “All I Have to Do Is Dream,” 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.
Their harmonies influenced the Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel in the 1960s, and a decade later their Appalachian roots inspired country rockers like Gram Parsons and Linda Ronstadt, who had a hit covering their “When Will I Be Loved” in 1972.…
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
They did some great,great stuff.
In the early 90s the Everly Brothers and the Beach Boys had a joint concert at Carowinds (near Charlotte). Perhaps my kids were too young to appreciate the music at that time, but I took the whole family and told them you're going to hear the best harmony ever.
Brian Wilson was in fine voice with the Beach Boys and the Everly Brothers were as good as they were 30 years before. Many in the audience were my age and living the nostalgia. It was great!
I was a fan. Wife and I saw them live in the late 80s or early 90s. Still sounded great then.
What a shame.
The first songs I ever learned to sing were with one of my 2 uncles who taught me to play guitar, and Everly Brothers songs were what they chose.
Ebony Eyes, All I Have To Do is Dream, and so forth, were the first couple of songs I ever learned, and I had to learn harmony parts, not lead vocals. I’m finally comfortable singing lead vocals, but for 20 years I preferred to be doing a harmony part because of my beginnings with harmonies on Everly Brothers songs. In my head I still switch to high harmony in the chorus of Dream...
Didn’t even know he was still alive, sad to see him gone. First round of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame too...wow...
Their influence on the early Beatles is undeniable.
His brother O.D. on coke sad indeed.
You must be thinking of someone else. Phil Everly died of lung cancer.
I don’t understand why he never pounded Axl Rose.
RIP and thanks for “Let It Be Me” and “Cathy’s Clown”...
I think that was a Righteous Brother.
Bon voyage.
I saw them live in “the city” in ‘64. GREAT performance. Audience interaction? Those guys were the biggest hounds I’d ever seen.
Oops
Ok
As the last of the Baby Boomers hit Social Security age, we are going to see a tidal wave of rock and roller deaths. Soon there will be nobody left but rappers, drugstore hat wearing modern country crooners and big-haired pole dancers.
Bobby Hatfield was found dead in his hotel room in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on November 5, 2003, shortly before he was due to perform at a concert with Bill Medley at Western Michigan University's Miller Auditorium. The autopsy report attributed his death to heart failure brought on by cocaine.
Adored their singing. Such great, adolescently romantic “close dancing” tunes like “Devoted to You” and “Let it Be Me” for proms and weddings back in the day.
The part near the end of the obituary that amazes me is that he “is survived by his mother, Margaret.” He was 84, so she’s gotta be at least 100+. Sad for her to have outlived both her talented sons.
Almost every group in the late 60’s and the 70’s that did much with harmonies cites the influence(s) of the Everly Brothers. Terrific musicians, with such a wondrous and enormous impact, both directly and indirectly... I imagine they’ll impress even their new audience!
Rest In Peace, Don Everly, and prayers for your family and friends.
Also, the song Sweet Child of Mine was written about Don Everly's daughter.
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