Everly Brothers legend Don Everly dies aged 84 seven years after brother Phil’s death

Don Everly died at his home in Nashville on Saturday (Picture: Getty Images)

Don Everly, one half of country rock n roll outfit the Everly Brothers, has died at the age of 84.

The musician’s family announced the news in a statement on Saturday, sharing that he died at his home in Nashville on Saturday. 

They said: ‘Don lived by what he felt in his heart. 

‘Don expressed his appreciation for the ability to live his dreams … with his soulmate  and wife, Adela, and sharing the music that made him an Everly Brother.’ 

It comes seven years after Don’s brother and musical partner, Phil Everly, died aged 74 from complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 

The siblings formed The Everly Brothers in the 1950s and released their self-titled debut album in 1957. After signing with Warner Bros. three years later, they went on to create hits such as Bye Bye Love, All I Have to Do is Dream, Bird Dog and Problems.

Don’s brother Phil (right) died in 2014 (Picture: Getty Images)

Their hit single, Cathy’s Clown, spent five weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960.

Bye Bye Love became one of their biggest hits but was passed by 30 other acts before landing in the brothers’ laps.

Don and Phil released a staggering 21 albums throughout their career, as well as several live and compilation records. Some of their most notable bodies of work include Sunset Towers and Brother Jukebox.

The pair were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 as the Everly Brothers, while Don was separately inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2019.

Don had battled drug addiction in the 1960s and later opened up about his struggles, saying in an interview: ‘People didn’t understand drugs that well then. They didn’t know what they were messing with.

‘It wasn’t against the law: I saw a picture of my doctor with the president, you know? But it got out of hand, naturally. It was a real disaster for a lot of people, and it was a disaster for me. Ritalin made you feel energized. You could stay up for days. It just got me strung out. I got so far out there, I didn’t know what I was doing.’

Shortly after Phil’s death, Don paid tribute and told the Los Angeles Times: ‘I’m not over it. I really feel sad. I think about him every day. I always thought about him every day, even when we were not speaking to each other. It still just shocks me that he’s gone.’

More: US Showbiz news

He added: ‘He was a great singer, Phil. We did that all our lives – it’s almost like we could read each other’s minds when we sang.’

Don is survived by his mother, Margaret, wife Adela, son, Edan, and his daughters Venetia, Stacy and Erin.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Little Mix star Perrie Edwards is a mum as she welcomes first baby with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

MORE : Love Island 2021: Liberty Poole’s mum ‘heartbroken’ to see how Jake Cornish treated her