Tributes pour in for Phil Everly

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jan/04/phil-everly-death-tributes-pour-in

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Tributes have poured in for US musician Phil Everly of the Everly Brothers, who has died aged 74 in California.

His wife, Patti, told the Los Angeles Times that he suffered complications from lung disease.

She said: "We are absolutely heartbroken," and blamed his illness on a lifetime of cigarette smoking. "He fought long and hard," she added.

His son, Jason, said he had been in hospital in Burbank, Los Angeles, for a fortnight before he died. His last public performance was in 2011.

Everly, who took the high notes, and his brother Don, profoundly influenced 1960s-era artists ranging from Beatles John Lennon and Paul McCartney, who early in their careers called themselves the Foreverly Brothers, to Simon and Garfunkel, the Byrds, the Hollies and the Beach Boys.

"Perhaps even more powerfully than Elvis Presley, the Everly Brothers melded country with the emerging sound of 50s rock & roll," Rolling Stone magazine said in placing the duo at No 33 on its list of the 100 greatest artists."

Known for their distinctive harmonies, their breakthrough hit and first million-seller, Bye Bye Love, came in 1957 and rose to No 2 on the US charts. Wake Up Little Susie, also released in 1957, was their first No 1 hit. A song about two teenagers falling asleep at the drive-in and waking up long after curfew, it was banned in Boston for its ever-so-slightly suggestive lyrics.

In 1960 the brothers signed with a new record label, Warner Brothers, agreeing to a 10-year, $1m contract and making their debut with their own song, Cathy's Clown, but by then their popularity was in decline.

But their career still spanned five decades. They broke up acrimoniously on stage in 1973 but got back together at a reunion concert at London's Royal Albert Hall 10 years later.

"Don and I are infamous for our split but we're closer than most brothers," Phil told Time magazine. "Harmony singing requires that you enlarge yourself, not use any kind of suppression. Harmony is the ultimate love."

In 1986 they were among the first acts to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Tributes flooded in for Phil Everly, recognising his lasting legacy on the music industry.

US guitarist and friend Duane Eddy, who produced Everly's first solo album after the split with his brother, described his death as "a huge blow".

He told BBC Radio 5 live: "It was the most beautiful sound you'll ever hear I think, of two voices.

"They were like two great singers that came together who happened to be brothers and had that same sibling quality. It just made for a beautiful sound."

Queen guitarist Brian May said he had lost a huge piece of his youth and described the brothers as heroes.

In a post on his website, he wrote: "RIP Phil Everly … you were magic. I have tears in my eyes."

English guitarist Albert Lee, who was the musical director for the brothers' reunion concert and performed with them for over two decades, said they had a unique sound.

"There was nothing like it. It was a combination of their country upbringing and when they became teenagers they fell in love with rock and roll," he told BBC News. "They sounded like no one else."

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