Phil Everly of Everly Brothers dies at 74, newspaper reports.

NBC News/ Today Entertainment ^ | 1/3/2014 | Alex Johnson

[Carriage Hill]

Phil Everly, half of one of the most popular and influential music duos of the 1950s and '60s, the Everly Brothers, died Friday at age 74, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The Times quoted Everly's wife, Patti, as saying Everly died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease after decades of smoking.

NBC News couldn't immediately reach Patti Everly to confirm the Times report, which quoted her as saying, “We are absolutely heartbroken.”

At their peak, the Everly Brothers — Phil, who was born in 1939, and Don, who was born in 1937 and survives his younger brother — hit it big in 1957 with "Bye Bye Love."

With its soaring, tight harmonies expressing dejection at lost love in an anomalously chirpy manner, the song reached No. 2 on the Billboard pop charts. It has been covered by dozens of other prominent artists as wide-ranging as Ray Charles, George Harrison, Roy Orbison, Trini Lopez and Simon & Garfunkel.

That was quickly followed by two more monster hits, "Wake Up Little Susie" and "All I Have to Do Is Dream."

Hits in the 1960s included "Carly's Clown," "When Will I Be Loved" and "Cryin' in the Rain."

[Vermont Lt]

Smoking gets another one.

[Carriage Hill]

Careless reporting. Someone got to the editor and webmaster. At least it’s correct, now.

[Lilyjuslan]

The Everly Brothers made some great music. My favorite is “Walk Right Back”.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

The first song I remember from them was TEMPTATION. I have not heard that song by them since. All the other songs, yes, but not TEMPTATION. Not even on the oldies stations.

It was my favorite song by them.

[Moonman62]

Love Hurts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFE2SnliiV0

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

I remember when YOUR HIT PARADE did that song using puppets.

Man’ I feel OLD!

[Carriage Hill]

Great song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9afUls4yhDc

[Pelham]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkFcQRiFL68#t=263

WHY WORRY (1986) The Everly Brothers, Mark Knopfler, Chet Atkins

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

**The first song I remember from them was TEMPTATION.***

Woops! I heard other songs by them before TEMPTATION! It is that this one stuck in my mind!

[Carriage Hill]

Here ya go...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us6UQ5W2xEY

[EDINVA]

I always liked “Carly’s Clown” :)

The Everly Bros were such a big part of the early teen years to those of us at “a certain age.”

[Georgia Girl 2]

I loved every song they ever sang.

[WXRGina]

Careless reporting. Someone got to the editor and webmaster. At least it’s correct, now.

Yes. My first guess would be "youthful reporting"--young, journo-school kids with a lack of knowledge of the good ol' hits.

[Carriage Hill]

Everly Brothers & Beach Boys live medley...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E0lRlXq3tc

[ealgeone]

Thank you very kindly. One of my favorites.

[Carriage Hill]

LMAO! < /snort!>

[Carriage Hill]

Two of the best balladeers of the 50s & 60s. I have a lot of good memories, too.

Memories are all we’ll have when we leave this earth...

[higgmeister]

The Paul McCartney song "Let 'em In" included mention of The Everly Brothers who were visiting at the time.

Someone's knockin at the door
Somebody's ringin the bell
Someone's knockin at the door
Somebody's ringin the bell
Do me a favor,
Open the door and let em in.
Sister Suzie, brother John,
Martin Luther, Phil and Don,
Brother Michael, Auntie Gin,
Open the door and let em in.

Thank you for the wonderful music. Rest easy now.

[EternalVigilance]

RIP.

They made an important part of the soundtrack of our lives.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Sad news. The Everlys were making hits before I was born, but “Walk Right Back” is somewhere in my personal Top 20 of all time.