Don Everly of Rock 'n' Roll Everly Brothers Dies at 84

NASHVILLE, TENN. - Don Everly, one-half of the pioneering Everly Brothers whose harmonizing country rock hits impacted a generation of rock 'n' roll music, has died. He was 84.

Everly died at his home in Nashville, Tennessee, on Saturday, according to his attorney and family spokesperson Linda Edell Howard. His brother, Phil Everly, died in January 2014 at age 74. "Don lived by what he felt in his heart," a statement from the family said. "Don expressed his appreciation for the ability to live his dreams ... living in love with his soul mate and wife, Adela, and sharing the music that made him an Everly Brother. Don always expressed how grateful he was for his fans." In the late 1950s and 1960s, the duo of Don and Phil drew upon their rural roots with their strummed guitars and high, yearning harmonies, while their poignant songs — many written by the team of Felice and Boudleaux Bryant — embodied teenage restlessness and energy. Their 19 top 40 hits included "Bye Bye Love," "Let It Be Me," "All I Have to Do Is Dream" and "Wake Up Little Susie." Performers from the Beatles to Simon & Garfunkel cited them as key influences.