Phil Everly, the younger of two Rock and Roll Hall of Fame siblings, died in Burbank, California on Friday, Jan. 3, of complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He was 74.
His wife Patti told the Los Angeles Times that Phil was a lifetime smoker who “fought long and hard” after being diagnosed with Emphysema. She acknowledged that the entire family is “absolutely heartbroken.”
Phil and Don Everly gained fame as the Everly Brothers, with a string of hits in the 50’s and 60’s that included “Wake Up Little Susie,’ ‘Cathy’s Clown,’ ‘Bye Bye Love,’ ‘Bird Dog,’ ‘Walk Right Back,’ ‘When Will I Be Loved’ and ‘All I Have to Do is Dream.”
Everly was born to country stars Ike and Margaret Everly in Chicago in 1939. He and his brother joined the family act as boys and went on to record their first hit ‘Bye Bye Love’ in 1957.
Phil’s death comes just weeks after the release of Green Day star Billie Joe Armstrong and Norah Jones’ tribute album, Foreverly. It is a take on the brothers’ second album Songs Our Daddy Taught Us.
Armstrong told USA Today “They were so immaculate. That record was pretty daring at the time. A lot of other rock guys were trying to go pop. The Everlys were playing torch songs and murder ballads. For them to do something so dark and angelic was appealing to me.”
Until his death, Phil Everly was involved with his own musical instrument accessories company. Everly Music Company produces products designed for guitar and bass by Phil and Jason Everly, Phil’s eldest son.
Photos: WENN