Country Music Icon Loretta Lynn Passes at Age 90

Country Music Icon Loretta Lynn Passes at Age 90

The world of country music mourns the passing of a legend – Loretta Lynn.

The country superstar passed peacefully, at the age of 90, in her sleep early this morning, Tuesday, October 4, at her home in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.

Over the course of her 60-year career, the famous native of Butcher Hollow, Ky. amassed a staggering 51 Top 10 hits, garnered every accolade available in music from GRAMMY awards to induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and broke down barriers for women everywhere with songs like “Don’t Come Home a Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind),” “Fist City” and “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”

Thanks to the Oscar-winning 1980 film Coal Miner’s Daughter starring Sissy Spacek, Lynn’s story and songs were brought to an even wider audience, amplifying her impact on several generations of songwriters and artists in various genres including Jack White, with whom Lynn made the GRAMMY-winning 2004 album Van Lear Rose.

Throughout her 80s, Loretta continued to write new songs and, in 2016, returned to the charts with the GRAMMY-nominated Full Circle, the first in a series of critically acclaimed albums produced by her daughter, Patsy Lynn Russell, and John Carter Cash at Cash Cabin Studio in Hendersonville, Tenn. She followed up with the seasonal classic White Christmas Blue (2016) and 2018’s GRAMMY-nominated Wouldn’t It Be Great, a combination of newly written songs and fresh interpretations of her catalog.

In 2021, the American music icon released Still Woman Enough, a celebration of women in country music; her 50th studio album (not including her ten studio duet collaborations with Conway Twitty), Still Woman Enough featured a title track co-written with Patsy Lynn Russell and a deeply emotional “Coal Miner’s Daughter Recitation,” commemorating the 50th anniversary of the release of Lynn’s signature song (October 5, 1970) and album (January 4, 1971).

Lynn’s music and achievements were repeatedly recognized by all of the major awards bodies. She joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1962, won four GRAMMY awards, seven American Music Awards and eight Country Music Association awards. She was the first woman to win the Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music awards for Entertainer of the Year. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1988, the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2008, and was awarded the Kennedy Center Honors in 2003 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013. She sold over 45 million albums worldwide.

Lynn was pre-deceased by her husband of 48 years Oliver Vanetta “Doolittle” Lynn, her daughter Betty Sue Lynn and son Jack Benny Lynn. She is survived by her daughters Patsy Lynn Russell, Peggy Lynn, Clara (Cissie) Marie Lynn and her son Ernest Ray Lynn as well as grandchildren Lori Lynn Smith, Ethan Lyell, Elizabeth Braun, Tayla Lynn, Jack Lynn, Ernest Ray Lynn Jr., Katherine Condya, Alexandria Lynn, Jasyntha Connelly, Megan Horkins, Anthony Brutto, Jason Lynn, Wesley Lynn, Levi Lynn, Emmy Rose Russell, David Russell, Lucca Marchetti and step grandchildren David Greer, Jennafer Russell, Melody Russell and Natalie Rapp, and her great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to the Loretta Lynn Foundation. Information about a memorial service/celebration of life will be made available at a later date.

The family has asked for privacy during this time, as they grieve. An announcement regarding a memorial will be forthcoming in a public announcement.

For more information, visit LorettaLynn.com.

Blogs

Kevin Bacon And Jennifer Unveil Country Album Inspired By Their TV Series, ‘The Bondsman’

Kevin Bacon and Jennifer Nettles, who are currently starring in Amazon Prime's series The Bondsman, have not only worked together on the show but have also collaborated on a new country album titled, Hell and Back. The record features eight original tracks inspired by the series and performed in character by both Bacon and Nettles,…

Kevin Bacon And Jennifer Unveil Country Album Inspired By Their TV Series, ‘The Bondsman’

Kevin Bacon and Jennifer Nettles, who are currently starring in Amazon Prime’s series The Bondsman, have not only worked together on the show but have also collaborated on a new country album titled, Hell and Back. The record features eight original tracks inspired by the series and performed in character by both Bacon and Nettles,…

Jordan Davis Blends Heartbreak, Sports Metaphors, And Drinking On His New Single, “Bar None”

Jordan Davis’ new single, “Bar None,” captures the desperation of a man haunted by his past and fighting a losing battle with an empty glass in the lyrical double-meaning of the chorus, “You and your memory, one/ Me and this bar, none.” “When I brought in the general concept, I knew it was going to…

Jordan Davis Blends Heartbreak, Sports Metaphors, And Drinking On His New Single, “Bar None”

Jordan Davis’ new single, “Bar None,” captures the desperation of a man haunted by his past and fighting a losing battle with an empty glass in the lyrical double-meaning of the chorus, “You and your memory, one/ Me and this bar, none.” “When I brought in the general concept, I knew it was going to…

Lainey Wilson Finally Releases Her Live Fan-Favourite, “Bell Bottoms Up”

Fans eagerly awaiting Lainey Wilson's 2024 album, Whirlwind, were surprised to find her live favorite, “Bell Bottoms Up,” missing from the tracklist. On Friday (April 4), the Louisiana singer-songwriter finally made the infectious single available on streaming platforms. The spirited honky-tonk tune showcases Wilson's traditional country roots and boundless charisma, while referencing her trademark bell-bottom…

Lainey Wilson Finally Releases Her Live Fan-Favourite, “Bell Bottoms Up”

Fans eagerly awaiting Lainey Wilson’s 2024 album, Whirlwind, were surprised to find her live favorite, “Bell Bottoms Up,” missing from the tracklist. On Friday (April 4), the Louisiana singer-songwriter finally made the infectious single available on streaming platforms. The spirited honky-tonk tune showcases Wilson’s traditional country roots and boundless charisma, while referencing her trademark bell-bottom…

Morgan Wallen Reveals That He Hasn’t Been In A Bar Since His Infamous 2024 Chair-Throwing Incident

During a new interview with Theo Von on the comedian’s This Past Weekend podcast, Morgan Wallen discussed his decision to stay away from bars since his notorious chair-throwing incident in Nashville in April 2024. The country music superstar reflected on the challenges of fame and mentioned how he has made lifestyle changes to cope, emphasizing…

Morgan Wallen Reveals That He Hasn’t Been In A Bar Since His Infamous 2024 Chair-Throwing Incident

During a new interview with Theo Von on the comedian’s This Past Weekend podcast, Morgan Wallen discussed his decision to stay away from bars since his notorious chair-throwing incident in Nashville in April 2024. The country music superstar reflected on the challenges of fame and mentioned how he has made lifestyle changes to cope, emphasizing…

Laci Kaye Booth Fulfills Lifelong Dream By Stepping Into The Circle At The Grand Ole Opry

On Saturday (March 29), rising country star Laci Kaye Booth fulfilled a lifelong dream as she took the stage at the Grand Ole Opry. The Geffen Records artist was dressed in a vintage Bob Mackie gown, exuding classic country elegance and modern star power during her performances of "Daddy's Mugshot" and Patsy Cline's classic, "Crazy."…

Laci Kaye Booth Fulfills Lifelong Dream By Stepping Into The Circle At The Grand Ole Opry

On Saturday (March 29), rising country star Laci Kaye Booth fulfilled a lifelong dream as she took the stage at the Grand Ole Opry. The Geffen Records artist was dressed in a vintage Bob Mackie gown, exuding classic country elegance and modern star power during her performances of “Daddy’s Mugshot” and Patsy Cline’s classic, “Crazy.”…