Phil Everly, who was widely known as one half of the close harmony pop duo the Everly Brothers, passed away today (January 3) in hospital in Burbank, CA. He was 74.
Everly died of complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which was apparently a result of being a longtime smoker. "We are absolutely heartbroken," his wife Patti told the Los Angeles Times. "He fought long and hard."
Born in 1939 in Chicago, Phil and his older brother Don were raised in Iowa and Tennesse. The siblings launched their career as the Everly Brothers in the mid-'50s, achieving success in 1957 with the song "Bye Bye Love." They scored numerous hits in the '50s and '60s, but broke up acrimoniously in 1973.
The brothers went solo before reuniting a decade later in 1983, and they were among the first inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
Known for helping to introduce vocal harmonies to rock music, the pair influenced subsequent bands like the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Simon & Garfunkel and countless others. They were recently honoured with tribute albums by Billie Joe Armstrong & Norah Jones and Dawn McCarthy & Bonnie "Prince" Billy.
According to IMDb, Phil had two prior marriages and four children.
Everly died of complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which was apparently a result of being a longtime smoker. "We are absolutely heartbroken," his wife Patti told the Los Angeles Times. "He fought long and hard."
Born in 1939 in Chicago, Phil and his older brother Don were raised in Iowa and Tennesse. The siblings launched their career as the Everly Brothers in the mid-'50s, achieving success in 1957 with the song "Bye Bye Love." They scored numerous hits in the '50s and '60s, but broke up acrimoniously in 1973.
The brothers went solo before reuniting a decade later in 1983, and they were among the first inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
Known for helping to introduce vocal harmonies to rock music, the pair influenced subsequent bands like the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Simon & Garfunkel and countless others. They were recently honoured with tribute albums by Billie Joe Armstrong & Norah Jones and Dawn McCarthy & Bonnie "Prince" Billy.
According to IMDb, Phil had two prior marriages and four children.
