Obituary: Don Everly

 One of the last remaining major figures of 1950s rock, especially what was known as rockabilly or later country rock, Don Everly, who with his late younger brother Phil formed The Everly Brothers and had numerous hits, has died at the age of 84.  I believe I mentioned when his brother Phil died in 2014 and wrote about him, the very first song I ever remember hearing was "Wake Up Little Susie," which was one of the pair's biggest hits.  The pair also made a foray into television in 1970 with a summer variety series.

Don, the older of the pair, died yesterday of undisclosed causes.  He and his brothers were among the original inductees in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.

Snip:

Born February 1st, 1937, in Kentucky, Isaac Donald Everly — known as Donald to family and friends — was steeped in music from the start. His father Ike was a coal miner who also happened to be a gifted guitarist. The family relocated to Chicago when Don was two; his brother Phillip was born in 1939. Their father played guitar in bars and later hosted a radio show in Iowa. “When he grows up, Donald, 8, wants to be an entertainer like his dad so they can form a vocal and musical team,” read a program at the Iowa radio station. Known as “Little Donnie,” Everly had his own segment on that show while he was in grade school; during an Everly family program, little brother Phil began joining in.

Actor James Best was a cousin of the brothers.

An  Ed Sullivan Show clip, vintage, but not vintage vintage as in the 1950s:

New York Times:

The warmth of their vocals notwithstanding, the brothers’ relationship grew increasingly fraught as their career progressed. Their radio hits became scarcer as the ’60s wore on, and both men struggled with addiction. Don was hospitalized after taking an overdose of sleeping pills while the pair were on tour in Europe in 1962.

A decade later, after nearly 20 years on the road together, their longstanding tensions came to a head. Phil smashed his guitar and stormed offstage during a performance at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, Calif., in 1973, leaving Don to finish the set and announce the duo’s breakup.

“The Everly Brothers died 10 years ago,” he told the audience, marking the end of an era.

Fun fact: Among his survivors is his mother, who is 101 years old.