- Music
- 04 Oct 22
"She was an inspiration," says Carole King.
County music icon Loretta Lynn died this morning, October 4, her family has confirmed.
In a statement shared to her website, it was revealed that Lynn, famed for classics like 'Coal Miner's Daughter' and 'You Ain't Woman Enough (To Take My Man)', passed away "in her sleep at home at her beloved ranch in Hurricane Mills" in Tennessee, aged 90.
Rising from humble roots as the daughter of a coal miner, who had her first of six children while she was still just a teenager, the American singer-songwriter went on to become one of the biggest names in country music. She faced the wrath of conservative America for her 1975 single ‘The Pill’, which promoted the benefits of birth control – and led to her being crowned “the poet laureate of blue-collar women” by People Magazine.
Her remarkable 60-year career included three Grammy Awards wins and 18 nominations, as well as the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which former U.S. president Barack Obama presented her with in 2013.
She released over 50 albums, including her acclaimed 2004 album, Van Lear Rose, produced by Jack White. Last year she released Still Woman Enough, produced by her daughter Patsy Lynn Russell and John Carter Cash, the son of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash.
Advertisement
See some of the tributes that have already been paid to Loretta Lynn below:
She was an inspiration.
R.I.P. Loretta Lynn ❤️ pic.twitter.com/VqwmkcOAqy— Carole King (@Carole_King) October 4, 2022
A pioneer of her genre and a trailblazer for today’s women in country. There was no one like Loretta Lynn. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/LPulhmrWCV
— Spotify (@Spotify) October 4, 2022
Working with our friend Loretta Lynn was unforgettable. Not only was she a country music legend, but when she joined us on The Muppet Show, she proved she was game for almost anything – even putting on an entire show at a train station! Thanks for the music and memories, Loretta.
— The Muppets (@TheMuppets) October 4, 2022
Advertisement
Loretta Lynn had more songs banned from radio than every other male country artist combined in the 20th century. pic.twitter.com/IOchPjwmWL
— Eric Alper 🎧 (@ThatEricAlper) October 4, 2022
RIP to the Queen of Country Music, Loretta Lynn. From Van Lear, Kentucky, she had an absolutely gorgeous mountain voice that is irreplaceable
Loretta sang songs that were trailblazing. The guts to put out “The Pill” when she did is amazing
She will be forever missed pic.twitter.com/4pCSex15Pk— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) October 4, 2022
R.I.P. Loretta Lynn, April 14, 1932 - October 4, 2022. Here she is spending time with members of her fan club and performing “Don't Come Home A-Drinkin' with Lovin' on Your Mind” for them in 1969. pic.twitter.com/pzk5P9N4PP
— Dust-to-Digital (@dusttodigital) October 4, 2022