A staff writer for All That's Interesting, Kaleena Fraga has also had her work featured in The Washington Post and Gastro Obscura, and she published a book on the Seattle food scene for the Eat Like A Local series. In 1996, first responder, Jerry Phifer, gave an interview to share some perspective of the time around the crash. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. Since her death, Patsy Cline's memory, voice, and story stay alive through countless retrospectives, heartfelt accolades and hard-fought, well-earned awards. He had a cufflink he believed belonged to Hawkins, some guitar strings, and some pieces of the plane. "Already she possessed a sassiness and the knowledge that she was someone special." That's because on March 5, 1963, Cline was killed in a plane crash while flying back to Nashville from Kansas City. Accompanying Cline and Hughes were two other country singers, Hawkshaw Hawkins and Cowboy Copas. Surprisingly, 17 years after her death, Patsy Cline's version of the Irving Berlin classic broke the Top 20 on the Billboard Country Singles chart. Sweet Dreams: Directed by Karel Reisz. with trees. Cline scored her first hit, "Walkin' After Midnight," in 1957 after two years of releasing records that did not chart. Patsy Cline may have had death on her mind, but her final days were full of life. It wasn't until she met and married Gerald Cline, a "short and heavyset" builder, a year later that Patsy Cline came to be. She only had two chart-topping hits to her name at the time of her death, but she went down in history as a country music legend. The skull was split medially in the forehead and this extended into the vertex region. Sadly, though, that latter recognition would come posthumously. [Pictures], Kelly Clarkson Stuns With Patsy Clines Shes Got You [Watch], Reba McEntires a Cappella Patsy Cline Cover Was a Long Time Coming [Watch]. Patsy Cline (September 8, 1932 - March 5, 1963), born Virginia Patterson Hensley in Gore, Virginia, was an American country music singer who enjoyed pop music crossover success during the era of the Nashville sound in the early 1960s. Though she became known around the world as Patsy, Cline was born Virginia Patterson Hensley. Omissions? According to the documentaryRemembering Patsy,Cline couldn't read sheet music. She thereby gained national exposure both for herself and for her song. Eerily, Cline seemed to know that a tragic fate awaited her down the line. death in Minnesota in April 2016 would lead to cops unearthing his massive drug stash.An autopsy later ruled that the reclusive pop star's bizarre life had ended with an "exceedingly high" opimum overdose. A Kansas City resident named Mildred Keith snapped what is believed to be one of the last photographs of the country music star. To this day, the cause of the plane crash was blamed on the inexperience of the pilot paired with poor flying conditions. Cline's father Samuel Hensley died of lung cancer in 1956. Patsy Cline was one of the fastest rising stars when her life was tragically cut short, but what most people did not know was that her journey to stardom wasnt smooth sailing. This story was originally written by Gayle Thompson, and revised by Annie Zaleski. She was Virginia from the Virginia coal country or, as she was called when she was younger, "Ginny." Cline went on to take the country music world by storm. Its getting so even Cline cant follow Cline., Just one week before the plane crash that took her life, Patsy reportedly told singer Ray Walker that shes walking a fine line between life and death: Honey, Ive had two bad ones [accidents]. She and her brother got into a head-on collision in Nashville. some portions I could not definitively make out. And that's exactly what Cline needed a strong voice and an equally strong attitude to break through the male-dominated country music scene. Eventually, "there wasn't much of a marriage,"he recalled in Honky Tonk Angel. Though scarred from reconstructive surgery on her face and in tremendous pain, Patsy Cline returned to performing later that year, according to Good Housekeeping. Ive already come this far, Hughes said. She graduated from Oberlin College, where she earned a double degree in American History and French. The Tragic Story Of Christa McAuliffe, The Teacher Killed In The Challenger Disaster, A Couple In New Jersey Unearthed Depression-Era Cash While Landscaping Their Yard, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. It was critical for her to recover, as The Mayo Clinic describes the disease as being able to cause permanent damage to the heart, including damaged heart valves and heart failure.. She was gifted thats all.. Patsy Clines Death on March 5, 1963, was a tragic day for the country music community. In case you need a refresher on what happened that night, here are a few facts: As previously mentioned, many focus on the circumstances surrounding the crash and often wonder what if?. Patsys plaque in the Hall of Fame paid tribute to her deep-rooted impact on country music. By the time Patsy Cline died in 1963, she had made a name for herself as a country music staple. When the plane carrying country stars including singer, Patsy Cline, went down on Mar. "It was her way or not at all. There, Cline closed the show with some of her hits including Shes Got You, Sweet Dreams, Crazy, and I Fall to Pieces.. | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF SERVICE, {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}, __CONFIG_colors_palette__{"active_palette":0,"config":{"colors":{"f3080":{"name":"Main Accent","parent":-1},"f2bba":{"name":"Main Light 10","parent":"f3080"},"trewq":{"name":"Main Light 30","parent":"f3080"},"poiuy":{"name":"Main Light 80","parent":"f3080"},"f83d7":{"name":"Main Light 80","parent":"f3080"},"frty6":{"name":"Main Light 45","parent":"f3080"},"flktr":{"name":"Main Light 80","parent":"f3080"}},"gradients":[]},"palettes":[{"name":"Default","value":{"colors":{"f3080":{"val":"rgb(23, 23, 22)","hsl":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09}},"f2bba":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.5)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.5}},"trewq":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.7)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.7}},"poiuy":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.35)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.35}},"f83d7":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.4)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.4}},"frty6":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.2)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.2}},"flktr":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.8)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.8}}},"gradients":[]},"original":{"colors":{"f3080":{"val":"rgb(23, 23, 22)","hsl":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09}},"f2bba":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.5)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.5}},"trewq":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.7)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.7}},"poiuy":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.35)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.35}},"f83d7":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.4)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.4}},"frty6":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.2)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.2}},"flktr":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.8)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.8}}},"gradients":[]}}]}__CONFIG_colors_palette__, Patsy Clines Death Was the Most Tragic Day in Music History, More about the 6 Country Artists Who Performed the National Anthem at the Super Bowl Part I, Sugarlands Something More Might Change How You See Life, Celebrating Ray Charles Birthday with his Hit I Cant Stop Loving You, Wynonna Judd Honors Her Promise By Releasing New Song Other Side After Her Mothers Death, Remembering Patsy Clines Sad Song I Fall to Pieces, The Best Songs From One of the Greatest Country Singers of All Time, Patsy Cline, Two Biggest Nashville Sound Stars: Jim Reeves & Patsy Cline, Randy Travis Updates His Fans Amidst The Pandemic and Social Distancing, Maddie and Tae Received a Surprise During their We Need Christmas Photoshoot, Yesterdays Wine: From Willie Nelson to George Jones Version, 18 Best Country Songs About Best Friends to Add to Your Playlist, 15 Best Country Songs About Faith To Build Your Confidence In God And His Word, 25 Best Country Songs About Home and Hometowns You Should Listen To, Here Are the 15 Best Country Songs About Working Hard To Keep You Motivated, 15 Most Patriotic Country Songs Of All Time To Celebrate This Great Country Of Ours, Heres How Suspicious Minds Rebuilt Elvis Presleys Legendary Career. 5. Jaimee Harris Finds Strength On Her Own With New Album Boomerang Town [INTERVIEW], Hot Tickets: 2023s Must-See Country, Americana, Bluegrass and Folk Tours, Country Stars + Americana Artists With March Birthdays, Johnny Cash and June Carter Cashs Sweetest Relationship Moments [PICTURES]. Its never an easy time of year, she said. After her death, her version of "Sweet Dreams" was released and became a hit. The Plane Crash That Killed Patsy Cline and the Other Country Tragedies Surrounding It. Shortly before his death, upon learning that he was gravely ill, Cline said to her mother . Roger Miller and a friend searched for the wreckage the next morning, and ended up being among the first to find the plane and its passengers. After that, he heard the crash. There was no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. Her song Crazy, which was written by a young Willie Nelson, became one of the most played jukebox songs of all time. The New York Times critic Robert Shelton raved about Clines convincing way with heart songs.'. Although she was ill with the flu, Cline performed three shows at Kansas City's Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall on March 3, to raise money for the family of DJ Jack "Cactus" Call, who had beenkilled in a car crash thatJanuary. Copas and Hawkins joined Cline and Hughes on the plane, which departed Kansas City at around 2PM. An in-residence at the Mint in Las Vegas soon followed (a first for a female country music singer), as did appearances at the Hollywood Bowl and Carnegie Hall, a performance for which Cline did not get paid. To help support her family, Patsy dropped out of school. For instance, the plane hit with such impact, the engine embedded in the ground and debris were scattered over about 300 feet. However, a childhood friend of George's has recently alleged that the singer's true cause of death was grief over the loss of his first love. Permanent scarring and chronic pain could've ended the. I certainly haven't seen any video of the event like the one on Jim Reeves. Patsy Cline's career spanned a short five years with a scant few hits, yet her staying power nearly six decades later is a testament to the significant impact she's had on music, history, and gender equality. He remembered finding broken guitars, cowboy hats, and rhinestones strewn about and knowing theyd just found Clines plane. After her recording of I Fall to Pieces remained a popular seller for 39 consecutive weeks, she was marketed as a pop singer and was backed by strings and vocals. "Her voice was strong. A post shared by Patsy Cline Museum (@patsyclinemuseum), Dottie West, wary about the bad weather conditions, invited Patsy to travel back to the Music City with her and her husband Bill by car. One week earlier, Cline had performed on The Glenn Reeves Show. Now we know what Lurlene does on her days off from the beauty parlor; she makes morbid videos. Then, browse these 44 fabulous pictures of Dolly Parton. In an interview, she disclosed Hawkins told her he wanted another baby just like the first and got his wish in their second son, though he never met him. A week later, Cline climbed into a tiny Piper PA-24 Comanche aircraft after a show in Kansas City, Kansas. But folks around town often reminded her not only that achieving fame was hard, but that it was nearly impossible for someone growing up "on the other side of the tracks." when a B-25 Bomber made a wrong turn into the Empire State Building. In her short career, however, she helped usher in the modern era for American country singers; she figures prominently, for instance, as singer Loretta Lynns mentor in Lynns autobiography, Coal Miners Daughter (1976). If they'd decided to drive instead, they would've been home in less than two hours. Death Date. Some say that she's gotten her due as one of America's. I had children to raise and with help and faith, I got through it.. But, eager to get home, they pushed ahead. She survived the impact, but was not in good condition when the ambulance arrived. Known in her youth as Ginny, she began to sing with local country bands while a teenager, sometimes accompanying herself on guitar. Judgement of the pilot in initiating flight in the existing conditions. Wikimedia CommonsPatsy Cline died at the age of 30 on March 5, 1963. Born Virginia Patterson Hensley on Sept. 8, 1932, in Winchester, Virginia, Cline had suffered an unhappy and abusive childhood. But the fame hadnt come easy. She first recorded on the Four Star label in 1955, but it was with the advent of television culture in the late 1950s that she gained a wider audience. But the what if questions that few fans ever ask are just as important. Following her final performance, Cline returned to the Town House Motor Hotel in Kansas City. She was just beautiful. Unfortunately, the crash was reportedly due to. He is probably best known as a member of the prolific songwriting duo Boyce and Hart, who wrote songs for the 1960s rock group The Monkees and other musical groups of that era. Cowboy Copas, Hawkshaw Hawkins and the pilot, Randy Hughes, also died instantly. Patsy Cline's Death on March 5, 1963, was a tragic day for the country music community. Jim Croce met a . Patsy Cline (b. Virginia Patterson Hensley, 8 September 1932, Gore, near Winchester, Virginia, d. 5 March 1963) Patsy's manager, Randy Hughes, was the son-in-law of Cowboy Copas. Charlie was described as "pretty wild," with a "reputation for drinking, picking fights, and being a ladies man." This is thetragic real-life story of Patsy Cline. [The audience] just screamed and yelled when she did Bill Baily. She sang the fire out of it.. She matched lipstick with pants and cowboy boots, and became the first woman to wear pants on stage at the Grand Ole Opry. At 13, Patsy Cline was hospitalized with a throat infection & rheumatic fever, which affected her throat and changed her tone. According to CMT News, Cline's personal letters and documents show that when her contract ended, she owed the label nearly $5,000 and hardly earned any royalties only about 2 percent even from her one hit recorded under Four Star, "Walkin' After Midnight.". Age of Death. Though its quite hard to believe that Patsy Clines legendary career only spanned in three albums, her classic voice will live forever. What if Cline passed away as a result of the injuries she sustained in the 1961 car accident? That individual heard the engine of the plane sputtering before it quit. The disease can have long-term effects on the heart, joints, and brain if not treated, and although very rare today, back in those days it was much more common and often fatal. How Did Patsy Cline Die? of his flight from Kansas City, Missouri to Nashville, Tennessee. Dick had been married . In 1973, ten years after Patsy died, she became the first female solo artist to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Country Singers Who Died in Plane Crashes, NEXT: Country Stars Who've Suffered Tragedy, Alan Jackson, Shania Twain, Kenny Rogers Among Worlds Top Old-School Country Artists, Study Finds, 15 Country Legends Who Deserve to Be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Patsy Clines Nashville Dream Home Sells See Inside! She endured several more years of records that stiffed before she scored her second hit in 1961 with "I Fall to Pieces," which gave Cline her first No. March 5, 1963. Virginia Patterson Hensley, as she was born, was in the best singing form of her life when the . Randy Hughes. Most recently, Cline was the subject of a Lifetime biopic titled "Patsy & Loretta," which detailed her bond with fellow iconic. 1 hit in "She's Got You." Its getting so even Cline cant follow Cline.. True to Arthur Godfrey's hunch, "Walkin' After Midnight" was a hit, but the boost Cline sought from the show never came. Women Musicians, Artists, and Writers, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Patsy-Cline, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum - Biography of Patsy Cline, Famous Singers - Biography of Patsy Cline, Encyclopedia Virginia - Patsy Cline (19321963), Patsy Cline - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). He recalled in Honky Tonk Angel one of the pilot in initiating flight in the best singing of. Aircraft after a Show in Kansas City resident named Mildred Keith snapped what is to! & rheumatic fever, which was written by a young Willie Nelson, became one of time! This day, the cause of the time around the crash cancer 1956. Cline returned to the documentaryRemembering Patsy, Cline returned to the documentaryRemembering Patsy, Cline could n't sheet. Jerry Phifer, gave an patsy cline cause of death to share some perspective of the plane sputtering before It.. 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