14 DAY TRIAL // One half of the legendary rock duo, The Everly Brother, Phil Everly has passed away on Friday, January 3 in his home in Burbank, California, his wife Patty told the LA Times. It's been revealed that the cause of death was complications relating to his illness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
“We are absolutely heartbroken. He fought long and hard,” his wife is quoted as saying. Phil acquired the diseases following a life-time habit of smoking.
The Everly Brothers was one of the most influential rock bands of the classic-rock era. Their sound was often an inspiration for many other bands that followed, including some very famous names like The Beatles, the Beach Boys or The Byrds.
Phil, along with his brother Don, made up the famous vocal duo that went on to become one of the first ten bands to be inducted in the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame when it began in the 1980s. Their unforgettable harmonies made them one of the most covered rock bands as well as one of the most influential.
Among their best known hits are “Cathy's Clown,” “Wake Up Little Susie,” “Bye Bye Love,” “When Will I Be Loved” and “All I Have to Do Is Dream.” The duo started its career in 1958 and went on to have 31 singles on the Billboard Top 100, 12 top 10 songs and numerous albums spanning the decades.
Though the brothers sought solo careers in the early 70s, their best remembered for their combined vocal skills. “They had that sibling sound,” singer Linda Ronstadt said. “The information of your DNA is carried in your voice, and you can get a sound [with family] that you never get with someone who's not blood related to you. And they were both such good singers – they were one of the foundations, one of the cornerstones of the rock 'n' roll sound.”
Though his brother Don enjoyed early success in his solo career, Phil too found his sound and went on to a successful solo career in 1983. In 1997, the brothers were awarded with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Apart from their induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the duo was also inducted in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001.
Phil is survived by his brother, Don, his wife, Patti, their mother, Margaret, sons Jason and Chris, and two granddaughters.