Americana Music Association to Pay Tribute to Phil Everly

The Americana Music Association are set to honor Phil Everly with their Pre-Grammy Salute & Tribute to the Everly Brothers: Remembering Phil Everly.

Everly passed away due to complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on Jan. 3 at the age of 74. The rock and country music legend was a big supporter of the Americana Music Association. In 2009, he raised thousands of dollars for the not-for-profit organization by donating the lyrics to the Everly Brothers' hit 'When Will I Be Loved,' which he hand-wrote on a piece of parchment paper, for auction.

The Everly Brothers, made up of Phil and his older brother Don, shot to fame in the late '50s with hits including ‘Bye Bye Love,’ ‘Wake Up Little Susie,’ ‘All I Have to Do Is Dream,’ ‘Bird Dog’ and ‘Cathy’s Clown.’ The brothers stood at the forefront of the rock and roll of the era, but their sound was deeply influenced by older country tunes.

The duo split ways in the early '70s to pursue solo work, but they reunited for future performances, including a tour with Simon & Garfunkel -- who have admitted that their sound was borrowed in part from the duo -- and singing on Paul Simon‘s landmark ‘Graceland’ album.

“When you talk about harmony singing in the popular music of the postwar period, the first place you start is the Everly Brothers,” Robert Santelli, executive director of the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, said. “You could say they were the vocal link between all the 1950s great doo wop groups and what would come in the 1960s with the Beach Boys and the Beatles. They showed the Beach Boys and the Beatles how to sing harmony and incorporate that into a pop music form that was irresistible.”

The sold-out event will be held at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, Calif. on Saturday (Jan. 25) at 8PM.