Paul Simon will be the featured performer at an intimate benefit tribute concert in memory of the late Phil Everly of the Everly Brothers, the COPD Foundation, which is sponsoring the event, announced Oct. 8. The concert will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 29 at the home of Sylvia Roberts, 1358 Page Rd., Nashville, Tenn.. The event will feature a performance by 12-time Grammy winner Paul Simon in honor of Phil Everly who passed away in 2014 due to complications from COPD.
Don and Phil Everly performing in London in 2004 as part of Simon and Garfunkel’s “Old Friends” tour. Photo by Jo Hale/Getty ImagesTickets and sponsorship opportunities are available online at a special event website. The COPD Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to curing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
In attendance at the event will be Phil Everly’s wife Patti Everly.
In addition to being a gifted singer, musician and songwriter, Phil was also an amazing husband, dedicated father, grandfather and uncle. COPD took Phil too early. Phil’s music changed our world, and now it’s time to get behind the COPD Foundation and change the world again where no one has to live with COPD,†said Mrs. Everly. “I am grateful for the support of Paul Simon in helping to raise awareness about this devastating disease and to be a part of this special evening with proceeds going towards the COPD Foundation.â€
Phil Everly and brother Don as the Everly Brothers, influenced the work of The Beatles, The Hollies and Simon and Garfunkel, as well as countless solo artists, including Simon, who was quoted as saying, “I wish I’d have met him earlier. He was such a good friend.â€
According to the COPD Foundation, COPD is the third leading cause of death in the United States, affecting more than 24 million Americans, but there is very little research funding for this preventable disease. The COPD Foundation says it works to advance knowledge about COPD and find a cure, and provides many free services to the COPD community.