Retro Dee writes about music, fashion and other trends of the 1950s on this site. Check out her blog, Retro Dee’s Guide to the Best Era Ever here, and her column here every week.
I spent the entire night coughing and tossing and turning, sick with a low-grade fever. At around 9:30 in the morning I got up, unable to stand laying in bed anymore. I gave up on sleep.
I had a message on Instagram from Sherry, a music preservationist and friend of mine. Don Everly had died. I knew this day would come, but it doesn’t make it any easier.
Sherry and her twin Sheryl have taught me so much about the history and facts about my favorite music, The Everlys and Buddy Holly in particular. I always knew I’d get the news of Don’s death from Sherry. I didn’t think I’d see it on the news, read it in the paper, or even catch it during the 100 times I check CNN throughout the day. I knew Sherry would be the one to tell me. Don’t ask me how I knew. I just did.
If I had to quickly sum up my feelings, what I tweeted earlier says it best:
One of the worst feelings is the feeling that a good era has ended. Although the Everlys music and legacy will live on forever, this doesn’t change that we’re now coming into a time where everyone from the 1950’s era will soon be gone. Don’s death is not only the loss of a man, but the loss of what he represented. Better times, great music, a world with some semblance of goodness, happiness and hope for the future.
After the week I’ve had, the last thing I needed to hear that my favorite living celebrity had just passed away. For now I can’t ever imagine listening to Don and Phil the same way. Maybe that will change. But this chapter comes to an end just as I struggle to find a way to open a new one.
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