Charlie Louvin Dies at 83

NASHVILLE, TENN. (CBS/AP) Charlie Louvin, a member of the Louvin Brothers duo whose harmonies inspired fellow country and pop singers for decades, died early Wednesday at his home in Wartrace, Tenn. He was 83.

The cause of death was complications from pancreatic cancer. Louvin was diagnosed with cancer last July and vowed to fight it. He underwent unsuccessful surgery to remove the tumor, but continued to schedule performances and even put out an album.

He was one of several stars invited to a welcome home performance of the Grand Ole Opry last year after floods damaged the Opry house.

"I'm not afraid of dying," Louvin told The Associated Press in 2010, a few days after the diagnosis. "We're all going to do that. And I've had 83 years of almost uninterrupted good health, so I know that's not by accident. So I've been blessed that long, and I could use a couple more."

He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001 for his highly influential work with his brother Ira.

Among their hits were "I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby," which was No. 1 in 1965, "When I Stop Dreaming," "Hoping That You're Hoping," and "You're Running Wild." They broke up in 1963. Two years later, Ira died in a Missouri car accident.

Louvin recorded regularly after his brother's death, most recently releasing "The Battle Rages On," a collection of war songs, last November. His biggest solo hits were "See the Big Man Cry" in 1965 and "I Don't Love You Anymore" in 1964.

His 2007 studio album, "Charlie Louvin," featured appearances from artists like George Jones and Elvis Costello, and earned a Grammy nomination for best traditional folk album.

"I'm the biggest harmony lover in the world," Louvin said last year. "If a song's worth singing you ought to put harmony on it."