Everly died Friday in Burbank following complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to his family.
Phil and his brother, Don, had hits in the 1950s and 1960s that included "Wake Up Little Suzie" and "Bye Bye Love."
The duo helped draw the blueprint of rock 'n' roll with a high harmony that captured the yearning and angst of a nation of teenage baby boomers looking for a way to express themselves beyond the simple platitudes of the pop music of the day.
The brothers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
In all, their career spanned five decades, although they performed separately from 1973 to 1983.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
