Isaac Donald Everly, known simply as Don Everly, was an iconic American musician whose life and career were deeply intertwined with the golden age of rock and roll.
He was born on February 1, 1937, in the small coal-mining town of Brownie, Kentucky.
Don grew up in a family steeped in the traditions of country and folk music. His father, Isaac Milford “Ike” Everly Jr., was a skilled guitarist and coal miner while his mother, Margaret Embry Everly, was a singer.
Together, they created a nurturing musical environment that shaped Don’s future.
Don Everly passed away on August 21, 2021, in Nashville. He was 84 years old at the time of his death.
He left behind a legacy that influenced generations of artists through his close-harmony singing and innovative guitar work.
Siblings
Don came from a close-knit family. His most profound connection was with his only sibling, his younger brother Phil Everly.
Phil Everly was born on January 19, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois. From an early age, Phil shared Don’s passion for music.
The two brothers formed an unbreakable bond that propelled them to stardom as the Everly Brothers. They were raised together in the shadow of their parents’ musical careers.
Phil Everly died on January 3, 2014, at the age of 74.
Career
Everly’s career was built on family tradition and musical innovation. As children in the 1940s, Don and Phil performed with their parents on Iowa radio stations.
They were known collectively as the Everly Family. These early performances helped them hone their musical skills.
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Don was sometimes billed as “Little Donnie” during solo segments at the age of eight. He learned his father’s thumb-picking guitar style at a young age.
This technique later influenced musicians such as Merle Travis and Chet Atkins. The brothers’ major breakthrough came in 1957.
They signed with Cadence Records and released the hit song “Bye Bye Love.” The song sold more than two million copies.
It catapulted the Everly Brothers to international fame. Their crisp harmonies and energetic rhythms became their signature sound.
They followed with hits including “Wake Up Little Susie” and “All I Have to Do Is Dream.” Don wrote “Cathy’s Clown,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks.
The duo recorded 35 Top 10 hits during their career. Their music successfully blended country, pop, and rock genres.
In 1973, the brothers experienced a bitter split.
Don pursued a solo career and released albums such as Sunset Towers in 1974. He also explored acting during this period.
In 1983, Don and Phil reunited for a sold-out concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall. The reunion marked a triumphant return for the duo.
After Phil’s death, Don continued performing occasionally to honor the legacy they had built together.
Accolades
Everly received numerous honors for his contributions to music. In 1986, he and Phil were among the first inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
They were inducted alongside pioneers such as Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry. In 1997, the Everly Brothers received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Their influence on country music was recognized in 2001. That year, they were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
In 2004, they were honored with induction into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. The duo also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for their recording achievements.
In 2019, Don Everly was individually inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum. He received the inaugural Iconic Riff Award for his rhythm guitar work.
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