Musical News - Bernie Worrell

George Bernard “Bernie” Worrell Jr., co-founder of Parliament-Funkadelic in the 1970s, died today (June 24, 2016), at the age of 72, of lung cancer.

 

Worrell (born in New Jersey on April 19, 1944), began playing piano at the age of three, wrote his first concerto at eight, and played with the Washington Symphony Orchestra at the age of 10. He attended the Juilliard School of Performing Arts and the New England Conservatory. He played for a time with the band later to be known as Tavares. While playing in bars, he met fellow Funkateer George Clinton, and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

Worrell was a keyboardist, songwriter, and arranger with P-Funk, as well as a synthesizer pioneer. Among other works, Worrell was a co-writer of Flashlight, perhaps the group's most popular cut. He played with P-Funk throughout the 1970s in its various forms, including Bootsy's Rubber Band, the Parlets, the Brides of Funkenstein, and the Horny Horns, leaving the group in 1981. He thereafter worked on solo projects, as well as working with rock band Talking Heads, Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, and rapper Mos Def, as well as many others. He appeared in the 2015 film Ricki and the Flash as a keyboardist.

 

Parliament-Funkadelic and Worrell were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. A 2005 documentary film, Stranger: Bernie Worrell on Earth was produced about Worrell's life, exploring the paradox that even a "genius" sometimes has to struggle to make a living.

 

Though Worrell's name may not be familiar to most of you, his music will definitely live on!

 

 

George Bernard “Bernie” Worrell [1944 – 2016]

© 06/24/2016

Musical News - Billy Paul

Grammy Award winning singer Billy Paul (whose birth name was Paul Williams), associated with the Philadelphia Soul sound of the 1970s, died on April 24, 2016 of pancreatic cancer at the age of 81.

 

Mr. Paul began his music career at the age of 11, performing on a local radio station. He was formally trained in voice, attending the Granoff School of Music. At the age of 16, he played the Club Harlem in Philadelphia, alongside Charlie “Bird” Parker.

 

In 1968, Billy fortuitously met Kenny Gamble, and recorded "Feeling Good at the Cadillac Club" in less than four hours, helping to launch Gamble & Huff.
 

Mr. Paul sang briefly with the Blue Notes, and with the Flamingos.
 

Paul was best known for his 1972 hit, “Me and Mrs. Jones,” which was later covered by the Dramatics. In 2000, Nike used Paul's biggest hit for a commercial featuring track phenom Marion Jones, which sparked a lawsuit, which Paul won. Shortly thereafter, Paul sued Philadelphia International and Sony for miscalculating his royalties. He eventually won $.5 million, and many other artists profited from his battle with the record companies.

 

In 2009, the biographical film Am I Black Enough for You was released, titled after Paul's 1973 recording of that name.

 

In addition to his Grammy, Paul won an American Music Award, and an NAACP Image Award.

 

Although Mr. Paul absented himself from the popular music scene following his pseudo-retirement in 1989, he continued to play theaters, clubs, and jazz festivals. He will be missed for his unique voice and contributions to the music industry.

 

 

Billy Paul [1934 – 2016]

© 04/25/2016

Musical News - Prince

Prince: I know that all of you are already aware that possibly the most talented artist of our time has passed away. I know because everybody who has my phone number or e-mail address has contacted me.

 

It is hard for people to believe that Prince is gone. Prince is IMMORTAL! His music certainly is.

 

Prince Rogers Nelson was born on June 7, 1958 in Minneapolis, MN. He wrote his first song at the age of 7. Since that time, he wrote and arranged nearly all of his own music.

 

Although Prince was famous for his purple guitars, he played more than twenty instruments with ease and grace.

 

Prince sold more than 100 million records worldwide, and is one of the best-selling artists of all time.

 

His second album entitled "Prince", released when he was just 18, went platinum in 1979. He starred in his first film, Purple Rain, at the age of 26. I could tell you of my experience during the first weekend of the release, but I am already saddened enough by this news. The film grossed over $80M and won an academy award for best original song score. Prince also won seven Grammy Awards and four MTV Video Music Awards.

 

During the early 1990s, Prince went through a well-publicized disagreement with his recording company (Warner Bros.) and changed his name to a symbol. Many artists have been ripped off, but not everyone had the nerve to stand up for himself in exactly that way.

 

In addition to creating his own awesome music, he also produced such artists as Sheila E., Vanity 6, and The Time. Of course, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and was named one of the greatest artists of all time by Rolling Stone magazine.

 

There is no such thing as a favorite Prince song. He had so many truly great songs that it would be hard for anybody to choose.

 

Prince defined the word “unique” and he is already missed greatly!

Rest in Peace, Purple Prince! [1958 – 2016]

© 04/21/2016

Musical News - Phife Dawg

Malik Izaac Taylor, better known as Phife Dawg, a founding member of A Tribe Called Quest, left this earthly life on March 22, 2016, as a result of complications of diabetes. He was born in Queens, New York on November 20, 1970, and died at the age of 45. In 2008, he received a kidney transplant from his wife, but by 2012 he needed another transplant.

 

The group Quest was initially formed in 1985 and released their first album on Jive Records in 1990. This album, “People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm” went gold. Their second album from 1991, “The Low End Theory,” contained “Check the Rhime” and “Scenario,” and eventually went platinum. Quest’s initial life span was from 1990 through 1998, during which time they were heralded as pioneers in the fusion between rap and jazz. The group was honored by VH-1, labeled “the most intelligent, artistic rap group during the 1990s”, and were listed as among the best hip hop groups of all time.

 

Phife contemporaneously enjoyed a solo career, and was featured on the work of such artists as Fu Schnickens and Pete Rock. He was also featured in the video games NBA 2K7 and NBA 2K9.

 

Rest in peace, my brother!

  

Malik Izaac “Phife Dawg” Taylor [1970 – 2016]

© 03/23/2016

Musical News - Vanity

Vanity (née Denise Katrina Matthews), the lead singer of Vanity 6 (a group orchestrated and promoted by Prince in the 1980s), died on February 15, 2016 at the age of 57. She had been suffering from kidney problems and other ailments in recent years.

 

At the time Vanity came into the public eye, she was the love interest of Prince, and as the relationship went, so went her career. She was replaced in the group, in Prince’s life, and in the movie Purple Rain by Apollonia Kotero.

 

Vanity went on to an unmemorable solo music career, and to a more successful acting career. She appeared in The Last Dragon (1985), Action Jackson (1988), and in The New Mike Hammer and Miami Vice television series, both in 1987.
 

Vanity 6 did not last very long, nor did it produce a ton of hits, but I am sure everyone remembers “Nasty Girl.” I am also sure that it has been a while since you have heard it. Play it, Sam.

 

 

Denise Katrina “Vanity” Matthews [1959 – 2016]

© 02/16/2016

Musical News - Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Imagine my shock to learn of the death of Maurice White, founder of Earth, Wind & Fire, on February 3, 2016 (at age 74), in his sleep. Mr. White had suffered from Parkinson’s disease for many years, and had not toured with EWF since the mid-1990s.

 

Mr. White was born in Memphis in 1941. He began his career as a session drummer in the 1960s in the Chicago area. Also in the 1960s, he backed Muddy Waters, the Impressions, and others.

 

He and his brother Verdine formed EWF in 1969, creating such hits as “Evil,” “Keep Your Head to the Sky,” “Devotion,” and “Sun Goddess” (with Ramsey Lewis). Mr. White produced other artists, including Barbra Streisand and Cher. In the 1970s, he co-wrote and co-produced the “The Best of My Love” for the Emotions.

 

EWF won six Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards. They have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They have sold over 100 million albums worldwide. Earth, Wind & Fire was ranked at number 60 on VH1's list of the 100 Greatest Artists of Rock & Roll.

 

Maurice White was responsible for so much awesome music that it is impossible to list it all here. This legendary artist was one of the greats of our time!

 

 

Maurice White [1941 – 2016]

© 02/04/2016

Musical News - Mic Gillette of Tower of Power

Mic Gilette:

I don’t know how I missed this one. Legendary trumpet, trombone player, and founding member of Oakland-based Tower of Power Mic Gillette died last month of a sudden heart attack, at the age of 64.

 

Thanks in great measure to Gillette, Tower of Power’s horn section has several times been ranked among the best of its kind.

 

Gillette was a musical prodigy, reading music by the age of four.

 

Gillette was instrumental in bringing the “Music in the Schools” program to Bay Area aspiring musicians.

 

Although Gillette stopped playing with the band in the mid-1980s, he still can be heard on such great TOP hits as “You’re Still a Young Man,” “So Very Hard to Go,” and “What is Hip.” I can still remember seeing them in the early 1970s in San Francisco, although it was so long ago that I cannot recall the venue.

The great music still lives on!

 

 

Mic Gillette [1951 – 2016]

© 02/15/2016

Musical News - Glenn Lewis Frey of The Eagles

I heard on this morning’s news that Glenn Lewis Frey, founding member of The Eagles, passed away on January 18, 2016 at the age of 67. He died from complications of pneumonia, ulcerative colitis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

 

While many of us did not listen to The Eagles on a regular basis, their sound was unmistakable. Frey played guitar, piano, and keyboards, and sang lead on many of their hits, as well as co-writing many of them. The Eagles was the best selling band of the 1970s, with such hits as “Tequila Sunrise” and “Take it Easy” (on which Frey sang lead). They went on to become one of the world's best-selling bands of all time.

 

During the time after The Eagles broke up (or took an extended vacation), Frey attained solo success with such hits as “The Heat is On” (from Beverly Hills Cop) and “You Belong to the City” (from Miami Vice). The group reunited in 1994 with the album entitled “Hell Freezes Over.”

 

Here is one of my favorite Eagles songs, from the good old days!

 

 

 

R.I.P. Glenn Frey [1948 – 2016]

© 01/19/2016

Musical News - David Bowie

1970s icon David Bowie (born David Robert Jones on January 8, 1947 in London, England), died of liver cancer on January 10, 2016 at the age of 69.

 

Bowie came to fame ultimately as a singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, producer, arranger, painter, and actor in The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976), in Labyrinth (1986), in The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), and in The Prestige (2006), among other appearances.

 

In my neighborhood, if one mentions the name David Bowie, the 1975 megahit “Fame” comes immediately to mind.

 

He will surely be missed!

 

 

David Bowie [1947 – 2016]

© 01/11/2016

Musical News - Nicholas Caldwell

I guess the word has already gone out that Nicholas Caldwell, one of the founding members of The Whispers, passed away on January 5, 2016 from heart disease, at the age of 71.

The Whispers have been performing since I was a child, so they have so many songs that I love that there is no way that I could name them all. I remember when they used to perform frequently at McClymond’s High School. As my mom would say, that is going back some.

Mr. Caldwell entered this world in Los Angeles on April 5, 1944. He, along with Wallace and Walter Scott and others, formed The Whispers in 1963. Many of you may not know of his songwriting talents, but I have included several songs by The Whispers on which he was given writing credits. He also wrote for other artists, such as Phil Perry.

Nicholas may not be an artist I think of every day, but now that he is gone, I miss him greatly! And the beat goes on!

 

Nicholas Caldwell [1944 – 2016]

© 01/07/2016

Musical News - Natalie Cole

I must report some disturbing news. On December 31, 2015, the famous daughter of Nat "King" Cole passed away at age 65.

 

Natalie Cole had modest success in the 1970s with such songs as “This Will Be” and “Our Love” and greater success with “Inseparable.” She then had a period when her popularity fell way off.

 

In the 1990s, Ms. Cole had additional success with a series of standards previously recorded by her father. The Grammy Award winning album “Unforgettable... with Love” included such standards as “Unforgettable” (digitally altered to include both Natalie's and Nat's voices), “Nature Boy” and “Mona Lisa.”

 

Natalie had a somewhat sporadic acting career through the 1990s, culminating in a 2001 performance in Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story, for which she received an NAACP Image Award.

 

We wish a fond farewell to the lovely and talented Ms. Cole.

 

Natalie Cole [1950 – 2015]

© 01/01/2016

Musical News - Cynthis Robinson of Sly & the Family Stone

Regrettably, I report that Ms. Cynthia Robinson has passed away early on the morning of November 23, 2015, following a battle with cancer. Ms. Robinson was 69.

 

Cynthia was an original member of Sly & the Family Stone, one who played trumpet and sang on many of the hits, including Dance to the Music, I Want to Take You Higher, and Everyday People. She was inducted along with the Family Stone into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.

 

Cynthia was also an integral part of the group Graham Central Station, one of the funkiest bands to ever grace a stage.

 

 

Cynthia Robinson [1944 – 2015]

© 11/25/2015

Musical News - Louis Johnson of The Brothers Johnson

Sadly, I must report that bassist Louis Johnson of the Brothers Johnson has died on May 21, 2015 at the age of 60. The exact cause of death is yet unconfirmed. Louis started his earthly journey on April 13, 1955.

 

The Brothers began their musical exploration while still in school. They were joined by their elder brother Tommy Johnson and cousin Alex Weir for an early incarnation of the group. The Brothers played backup for the Supremes and Bobby Womack, among others. Louis later joined Billy Preston’s band, and wrote songs for Billy’s albums.

 

In 1975, the Brothers were hired by Quincy Jones to play on “Mellow Madness.” They were subsequently hired for Quincy’s tour in Japan and produced their debut album “Look Out For #1,” released in March 1976. “Right on Time” was released in May 1977 and reached number 13 on Billboard.

 

The Brothers’s songs were featured on the soundtrack of the film Mother, Jugs & Speed in 1976. An instrumental track on that film refers to the Brothers’s nicknames, “Thunder Thumbs” and “Lightnin' Licks.”

 

The album “Light Up The Night” was released in 1980 and hit #5 on the Billboard. It made it to Rolling Stone’s "Top 100 LPs of 1980." Among the Brothers’s  most popular songs are “I'll Be Good to You” (1976), “Strawberry Letter 23” (1977), “Ain't We Funkin' Now” (1978), and “Stomp!” (1980). Their primary style was funk, and funky they were.

 

The Brothers Johnson split up in 1982 to pursue separate projects.

 

Louis Johnson recorded a gospel music album in 1981. He continued his musical career, playing bass on Michael Jackson's “Thriller” (1982), the bestselling album of all time. He played with Earl Klugh, and a host of other world-famous musicians. He later made instructional videotapes on which he displayed his bass-playing skills. He started a bass academy during the 1990s and gave clinics via his own website.

 

In the mid-1790s, the Brothers Johnson were on top of the world. In my neighborhood, they were everybody’s favorite group.

 

Ironically, I played some of the Brothers’s most popular songs on iTunes earlier this week. Premonition?

 

My heart just hurts knowing that a part of my personal past is now gone!

 

 

Rest in Peace, Louis “Thunder Thumbs” Johnson. [1955 – 2015]

© 05/22/2015

Musical News - B, B. King

I just heard the news that blues icon Riley B. King (better known as B.B.), passed away yesterday at the age of 89. He had been ill for some months prior to his passing and had spent the last month of his life in hospice care in Las Vegas.

 

B.B. was born on September 16, 1925 in Itta Bena, Mississippi, to sharecroppers. After his mother left the family when he was 4, he was raised by his maternal grandmother.

 

As a child, B.B. sang in his church choir, and obtained his first guitar. As a young man, he was a radio disc jockey and singer. In 1949, he scored his first recording contract with a precursor of Sun Records, and began touring all across the country. His first #1 hit in 1952 was “3 O’Clock Blues.” Well, that is before my time.

 

B.B. named his guitar Lucille, to remind him not to fight over a woman; there were many subsequent generations of Lucille, all well-loved.

 

In 1956, B.B. founded his own record label, Blues Boys Kingdom, headquartered at Beale Street in Memphis.

 

In 1970, King won a Grammy for “The Thrill is Gone,” which is probably his most popular song to non-blues fans, and is on the Rolling Stone list of greatest hits of all time.

 

In 1980, King was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame; in 1987 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; in 2014 he was inducted into the Official Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame.

 

I am sad to say that for many fans of the blues, finally, the thrill really is gone!

 

 

B.B. “Blues Boy” King [1925 – 2015]

© 05/15/2015

Musical News - Ben E. King

I just learned this morning that beloved Ben E. King of the Drifters passed away yesterday at the age of 76.

 

Everyone knows that his megahit “Stand By Me” was popular when it was released in 1961, and many may also recall that it enjoyed a huge success once again when it was featured in the movie of the same name in 1986.

 

Ben was born Benjamin Earl Nelson on September 28, 1938 in Henderson, North Carolina. When the original members of the Drifters were fired by the manager in 1958, Ben’s group the Five Crowns took over the name and the legacy. Their first big hit was 1959’s “There Goes My Baby,” led and co-written by Ben. A string of other notable songs followed, including “Save the Last Dance for Me,” “This Magic Moment,” and “Spanish Harlem.” “Stand By Me,” co-written by Ben, was voted one of the most notable songs of the 20th century.
 

In 1960, Ben left the Drifters and took on the name “Ben E. King,” in preparation for his solo career. He proceeded to put out magical songs, the most memorable of which is probably “Supernatural Thing,” which many didn’t have a clue was done by Ben E.

 

I know I am saddened by this loss, as are many others.

 

 

Benjamin Earl King [1938 – 2015]

©  05/01/2015

Musical News - Johnny Kemp

Sadly, I must inform you all that Johnny Kemp (of “Just Got Paid” – 1988 fame) has died at the age of 55. Apparently he hit his head during a fall in Jamaica and the details have not yet been confirmed. So, I am sending you the song today… even though I said I wouldn’t.

Enjoy each day; we never know which might be our last.

 

Johnny Kemp [1959 – 2015]
© 04/17/2016

Musical News - Percy Sledge

Only one day after producing our second “uplifting” musical news, I must sadly report the death of Percy Sledge, of “When A Man Loves A Woman” fame, certified gold in 1966.

 

Mr. Sledge was born on November 25, 1941 in Leighton, AL, and passed over on April 14, 2015 in Baton Rouge, LA of liver cancer.

 

During his early life, he worked as a hospital orderly during the week, while touring with the Esquires Combo on the weekends. His first hit came after a personal life event, the departure of his long-time girlfriend after he was laid off. The song was a collaboration, but Sledge gave all of the songwriting credits to his co-writers.

 

“When A Man Loves A Woman” was re-issued in 1987 and was a hit for a second time, and enjoyed a resurgence in 1994, after being used in a Levi’s commercial.
 

Mr. Sledge’s career also included the hits “Take Time to Know Her” and “Warm and Tender Love,” at a time when local radio stations played a wide variety of genres of music.

 

Mr. Sledge was an inaugural Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Award honoree in 1989. In 1996, he was the recipient of the Blues Music Award for best Soul/Blues album of the year. In 2005, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In May 2007, Mr. Sledge was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. He continued to tour through 2011, and was an international favorite.

 

Although I was only a baby when I fell in love with Mr. Sledge, he will never be forgotten.

 

Sing it with me…. “When a man loves a woman….”

 

 

Percy Sledge [1940 – 2015]

© 04/15/2015

Musical News - Andraé Crouch

Andraé Edward Crouch, famed gospel singer-songwriter, producer, and arranger, left this earth on January 8, 2015 at the age of 72. He had recently suffered from pneumonia and congestive heart failure, and was hospitalized following a heart attack on January 3.

 

Andraé wrote his first gospel song at the age of 14. His first gospel group, the Church of God in Christ Singers, included Billy Preston on keyboards. He began his recording career in 1968, while singing with The Disciples. Perhaps his most famous composition is “Soon and Very Soon,” initially recorded while with The Disciples. His primary focus was on religious music, but he notably collaborated with such popular artists as Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, and Elton John.

 

Andraé 's solo career began in 1979, during which period he worked with Joe Sample, Wilton Felder, Phillip Bailey, and El DeBarge. Crouch's original musical arrangements were featured in the films The Color Purple and The Lion King. He composed the theme song for the situation comedy Amen, in 1986.

 

Pastor Crouch's 40th anniversary album released in 2006 showcased guest performances by fellow gospel greats Karen Clark Sheard and Marvin Winans. His many collaborations as producer and/or arranger with musicians, both secular and religious, are too numerous to mention.

 

Crouch has been honored with seven Grammy awards, he has been inducted into the gospel music hall of fame, and in 2004 he was presented with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has been honored by the NAACP, ASCAP, and Billboard.

 

Andraé was known in some circles as the father of modern gospel music. He will be missed.

 

 

Andraé Edward Crouch [1942 – 2015]

© 01/11/2015

Musical News - Jimmy Ruffin

I have just been informed that Jimmy Ruffin, older brother of David Ruffin of the Temptations, died on November 17, 2014 in Las Vegas, NV at the age of 78.

 

Jimmy began his singing career (along with his famous brother) in a gospel group called the Dixie Nightingales. He began working for Motown in 1961 as a session singer. He was offered the opportunity to join the Temptations in 1964, but after hearing David sing, Motown hired David as the Temptations lead singer instead. Jimmy began his solo career at that point.

In 1966, Jimmy recorded a song originally written for the Spinners entitled “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” (which is also the title of the 2009 memoir of E. Lynn Harris). “Brokenhearted” reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #6 on the R&B Chart.

 

Another legend has left us, and as always, is gone too soon.

 

 

Jimmy Ruffin [1936 – 2014]

© 11/19/2014

Musical News - Bobby Womack

One of the greatest soul singers of all time, Bobby Womack, passed on to a higher plane on Friday, June 27, 2014. Although at this writing, his exact cause of death is unknown, he suffered from a number of health issues. Bobby, née Robert Dwayne, was 70 years of age.

 

Mr. Womack’s more than 50 year career began as the lead singer of his family group, first known as the Womack Brothers, and later as The Valentinos, in the 1960s. They were discovered and mentored by none other than Sam Cooke.
 

In addition to his nearly incomparable vocals, Mr. Womack was a guitarist of note, playing on the songs of various hitmakers, such as Joe Tex and Aretha Franklin. He was also a prolific songwriter, having penned (or co-written) such songs as “Breezin” (George Benson), and the Rolling Stones’ first U.S. hit, “It’s All Over Now.” Some of Mr. Womack’s own notable hits are “Across 110th Street,” “That’s the Way I feel About Cha,” and “Harry Hippie” his own first certified gold. There were numerous songs written and performed by Mr. Womack which were later covered by other artists, such as New Birth’s “I Can Understand it” and Chaka Khan and Rufus’s “Stop on By,” and K-Ci Hailey’s “If You Think You’re Lonely Now.” In later years, Mr. Womack performed on the tracks of other artists, such “Stylo” with Mos Def.

 

Womack created a near scandal in March 1965 by marrying the widow of Sam Cooke, just months after Cooke’s death.

 

Mr. Womack’s career waxed and waned at various points, notably declining after the death of his brother Harry and after the death of his son Truth. Health issues also contributed to his decline, including prostate and colon cancer, diabetes, and pneumonia. In later years, it was believed that he was developing Alzheimer’s.

 

In 2009, Mr. Womack was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

 

 

Play on, Mr. Bobby Womack [1944 – 2014]

© 06/28/2014

Musical News - Philip Everly

Not all of you will recall the Everly Brothers (who were extremely popular in the 1960s), but you will know some of their music, as well as many of the artists who were influenced by their sweet, close harmonies. Tenor Phil Everly, two years younger than Don, passed away on Friday, January 3, 2013 (at the age of 74) of pulmonary disease. It is believed that his illness was a result of years of cigarette smoking.

 

Some of the Everlys's dozens of Billboard Hot 100 hits include “All I Have to Do is Dream” and “When Will I Be Loved” (which was written by Phil and later covered by Linda Ronstadt). Both Everlys claimed fame as guitarists and songwriters, having come from a musical family. The brothers sang with their father, Ike, and their mother, Margaret on Ike's radio show in the 1940s. The brothers's memorable harmonies have influenced many famous artists such as the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Simon & Garfunkel, and later the Bee Gees.

 

“Bye Bye Love” became their first million seller in 1957. 1960's “Cathy's Clown,” written by Phil and Don Everly, was their biggest hit, selling more than eight million copies.

 

The Everly Brothers were among the first artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame, in 1986. They hold the record for the most Top 100 singles by any duo. In 1997, they were awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. They were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001 and into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004. They have their very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and are on the Rolling Stones Magazine's list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

 

Early on, the Everly Brothers toured with Buddy Holly, and influenced his style of dress. Later, they toured with Simon & Garfunkel. In tribute, Phil and Don were mentioned in Paul McCartney's “Let 'Em In.”

 

Phil Everly is now gone, but in musical circles, he will never be forgotten. R.I.P.

 

 

Philip Everly [1939 – 2014]

© 01/04/2014