Remembering a Legend...Patsy Cline
She was born Virginia Patterson Hensley, but the world knew her better as Patsy Cline.
And on this day, 50 years ago, March 5, 1963, we lost her at the young age of merely 30, in a tragic plane crash.
Patsy Cline was unique. Never considering herself other than a Country singer, she soon became a "crossover" to the Pop Charts, and over the years, became a role model for many stars, including Loretta Lynn, Lynn's sister, Crystal Gayle, Brenda Lee, and Barbara Mandrell.
Loretta Lynn's biography, "Coal Miner's Daughter", devotes an entire chapter to her honor.
Patsy spent the first ten years of her career like any other singer trying to make her career a success, but one day a man named Arthur Godfrey called and asked her to appear on his show in 1957.
...and from that moment, the world changed for Patsy Cline.
Her recording of "Walking After Midnight" reached #2 on the Country Charts, and surprisingly, #12 on the Pop Charts, making her one of the first "crossover" singers.
As her career became more and more successful, in 1961 she recorded the song "I Fall to Pieces" that made her a pop star success...AND...for me, a fan thereafter !
Patsy was just getting started, when, on June 14, 1961, she was involved in her first of two serious auto accidents, a head-on collision, almost taking her life as she was thrown through the windshield of the car in which she was a passenger. She spent a month in a hospital, suffering from a jagged cut across her forehead which required stitches, a broken wrist and a dislocated hip.
For the remainder of her career, she wore wigs and makeup to hide her scars, along with headbands to relieve the forehead pressure that caused her continual headaches.
But..."The Cline", as she was referred to by her closest friends, could not be deterred from her dreams, and within six weeks following the accident, she was back on the road ON CRUTCHES.
Though it appeared that Patsy had a setback, a friend of hers, Willie Nelson, sent her this song, which has since been forever referred to...
...as her signature song.
Again, it all looked so promising for her, and the next year her recordings became part of every radio station.
On the fateful March day we may have lost her in person, but over the years her success and legend seems to grow.
She was the first woman elected to the Country Hall of Fame in 1973, and in 1985, Jessica Lange was nominated for an Oscar in the "Best Supporting Actress" category, in the film, "Sweet Dreams", based on Patsy Cline's life.
...but strangely, her tombstone says it all...
Her grave is marked with a bronze plaque, which reads: "Virginia H. (Patsy) Cline 'Death Cannot Kill What Never Dies: Love...'"
And with that, let's add our own thanks to Patsy Cline by way of a song which sent all of her love...to all of her fans.
Thank you Patsy...you'll always be in our "Sweet Dreams" as well.
Dick Arendt
Patsy Cline also influenced K.D. Lang
ReplyDeletehttp://www.allmusic.com/artist/kd-lang-mn0000852997
Her first band was called the Reclines, as in Patsy ReClines.