July 16th, 2012
06:11 PM ET
Country mourns loss of 'Queen' Kitty WellsCountry legend Kitty Wells died on Monday due to complications from a stroke, CNN has confirmed. She was 92. According to a press statement, Wells, who was born Ellen Muriel Deason Wright in Nashville, Tennessee, "passed away peacefully with family by her side."
Wells is survived by her son, Bobby Wright; her daughter, Sue Wright Sturdivant; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and some "devoted nieces and nephews," the statement says. Wells started her career in 1937 with her now-deceased husband Johnnie Wright, and the New York Times calls her an "unlikely and unassuming pioneer," a singer whose career paved the way for future female country stars. The turning point was the song “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels," a single she recorded in 1952 without expectations, the Times says. With that record, Wells became the first female singer to reach No. 1 on the country charts. It also set off consecutive success that earned her "near-universal acclamation as the Queen of Country Music," CMT.com reports, noting that it was a "title bestowed on her years before the 1960s heyday of women singers in the field, including Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton and others." Wells continued to hold onto her crown as country's leading female singer for the next 14 years, a statement says, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1976. "Kitty Wells will always be the greatest female country singer of all times. She was my hero. If I had never heard of Kitty Wells, I don’t think I would have been a singer myself," said Loretta Lynn in a statement Monday. "I wanted to sound just like her, but as far as I am concerned, no one will ever be as great as Kitty Wells. She truly is the Queen of Country Music." Added "American Idol" alum Kellie Pickler via Twitter, "My heart cries over the loss of Ms Kitty Wells. She is and always will be the true Queen of Country Music." Charlie Daniels seconded that thought, tweeting, "A Queen died today. The true Queen of country music,the lady who set the standard for all who followed . Rest in peace Kitty Wells." The Grand Ole Opry also paid their condolences, writing (along with a video of one of Wells' performances), "We will always remember the legendary Kitty Wells. Our thoughts are with her loved ones." [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4c0SfsZsbg&w=420&h=315%5D |
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Please will you accept my heartfelt condolences on the Queen of the country music :Kitty Wells.
We belong to God , and to Him we return !
We have lost the true queen of country music. I ment kitty Wells on the back stage in hillsdale Michigan. What a wonderful lady.R.I.P
REST IN PEACE MISS KITTY.YOUR SINGING FOR A BIGGER AND BETTER AUDIENCE NOW {]O/}
WE WILL SURELY MISS YOU.AS LONG AS WE HAVE YOUR MUSIC AND MEMORIES YOU'LL ALWAYS STAY ALIVE IN OUR HEARTS AND MINDS . {\O/}CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY ,FANS AND FRIENDS.
92 is a long life. We don't hear that very often. RIP Kitty Wells.
You can certainly see your skills within the work you write. The arena hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren't afraid to say how they believe. All the time go after your heart.
In six decades she recorded over 90 singles, her first single sold over a million copies (totally unheard of in an age where country singers were thought to be men, not women and where the woman's role in Country Music was as a backup singer) she also recorded over 30 albums and won many many awards. Every country music female will tell us today how Kitty Wells blazed a trail for them.
Iloved kitty wells and all the otherold country artist thank god for xm radio I want to say to the attacher that they will never be lucky enough to be what kitty was.
The thing about Kitty Wells that's easy to overlook nowadays is that she came from a time when country singers actually lived the lives they sang about. There was an authenticity to her singing that is simply absent today, amidst the screaming, hystrionics, choreography and over-the-top drama that is so inescapable in current entertainment. Kitty just walked out there with her guitar and did her thing, connecting with audiences because of her heartfelt lyrics and resonant voice. And she did it for decades. To quote Dolly Parton - one of many entertainers who cite Kitty as a major influence - "There may have been better voices, but never truer one".
http://www.google.ca/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=Youtube%2FKittyWells&oq=Youtube%2FKittyWells&gs_l=hp.3..0i13i30l4.11939.16472.0.16619.18.15.0.3.3.0.184.1628.6j9.15.0...0.0...1c.amo3pQUrvEo&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=7f936895557cba0&biw=646&bih=534
Rest in peace Kitty Wells, You will be forever missed.
To Bill, I don't think we're actually debating here who was the better singer. We're acknowledging the passing of a great, GROUNDBREAKING artist. If one takes a serious look at the glass ceilings she shattered, it will be evident what an influence Kitty was on your newer artists, like Carrie and Taylor. She deserves respect for that reason alone.
oh
so many nice thoughts here should not be polluted by the ignorance of those who just do not get enough attention at home. they should sit back and listen to some real music and appreciate the gift of this prescious ability that we all want to emulate even if just in the shower. see you in the resurrection Kitty, thanks
It's sad: another music legend gone. RIP Kitty Wells.
Whoa, heavyweights like Kelli Pickler are weighing in on this ... nothing from Kanye West on this?
Thats when country music was good! Musicians had class back then, they presented themselves with pride not like anyone that sings now. I quit listening to country a long time ago the "artists" now i wouldnt go to a free concert if they played one. RIP
I will not say that I am saddened by her passing. I am sure at 92 Miss Kitty Wells wasn't regretting her death. I do hope her family is at peace. “Go then, there are other worlds than these.”
Kitty Wells was a great country singer . Her music has been and will be enjoy for years to come . A true and great preformer .
R.I.P. Kitty Wells.
A queen is dead, and for once i actually care. Rest in peace and thanks for the songs Kitty
so much hate and evil. this person died have some repect and not jugdement ,eyes see you!
Kitty Wells, was true Artist & ledgend in country music..I know she was a great Mother, Grandmother & Great Grandmother.
Rest In Peace sweet Kitty. I loved ya!
God endorsed people with wisdom for a peofitable living, may kitty wells soul rest in peace, she died yet stilling living, she only travelled and never to come.
Kitty Wells, Johnny and Jack, Hank Williams, Hank Snow, Carl Smith, Webb Pierce, and many others brought good wholesome entertainment through the magic of radio to millions of poor southerners that could not have gotten in any other way in the thirties, forties, and fifties. Much Obliged! RIP Kitty.
All of country music's greatest legends are gone now and true country music no longer exists! The so-called country music of today is certainly not genuine country music. There are no words to describe what is being sung now! Thank heaven the songs of Hank Snow, Ernest Tubb, Hank Williams, Marty Robbins, Patsy Cline, Kitty Wells, and Dottie West will live forever thanks to all the records and CD's available for the pleasure of loyal country music fans. God bless Kitty and her family.
km: you are too ignorant to understand the achievements of ms. wells..........
R. I. P. Kitty!
I was raised on country music as well as other kinds of music. Ms. Kitty Wells was a true legend People with no respect for peopke like Ms. Wells need to get a life.{Dave, Tom, etc}. DUMBA__ES!!!
Rest in Peace.
I was never a country music fan but till now I thought she had died many years ago. May she rest in peace. God bless her and her family. I know she will be missed by many.
I agree that patsy had a voice that could take you to your knees..i love my metal..but if you dont love pats..you have no sou..however, ms wells paved the way for all the women who came after her
Hey you young foks, one day if you are lucky enough you will also be 92 and lets hope you have left some sort of a legacy behind like Kitty Wells did, in the old days before computers and TV people used to sit and listen and try to copy these now elderly country stars, many a night spend by millions listening and enjoying her singing, now everyone is hooked on TV, computers and video games which is fine but show some respect for those who were considered by most folks to be good entertainment.
Lorraine – well said. They just don't know what they're missing.
May she rest in peace
It's great we live in a free country and can voice our opinion...hope that never changes but ask yourself what's wrong with you when you feel the need to be so nasty and evil and make these comments. To live with all that anger inside of you...put all that makes you angry behind you, quit wasting your God given talent. Respect is a beautiful thing.
kitty wells was a great country singer with a beautiful voice!she was my dads favorite female singer! Ive watched the grand ole opry since the days on tv in the barn! Since:roy acuff,farron young,marty robbins,george jones,kitty wells,string bean,grandpa jones,an minnie pearl! All greats! Kids today listen to rap which has brought violence to music industry! It has no meaning(just noise)!it has no soul! Even great black singers like ray charles,nat king cole,fats domino,billy holiday,b.b.king,would probably agree! Music today has progressed to nothing! No soul or heart!a star will shine on like ms.kitty wells!r.i.p*
Kitty Wells and other country artists who can't carry a tune in a bucket are the reasons I hate country music to this day. Horrible voice, horrible lyrics, and clownish clothes.
What an awful person you are. What kind of mother raised a thing like you?
km u r the reason I hate u. No brains and no respect. You suck.
KM, that's a clown opinion. KMA.
Just stick to your Britney, your Bieber, your (c)Rap. Take your auto-tune and shove it up your crab filled @ss.
Interesting. You've just described todays pop & rap stars to a T.
KM, you are an idiot, with no taste in true american music. Go listen to Madonna. She will be forgotten in 10 years.
To the KMs of this world: I'm sorry you're so filled with hate and viciousness that you feel compelled to insult everybody and everything. You really need to do some serious thinking about straightening out your life. Kitty Wells was a breakthrough talent, a gracious woman who respected her fans. She was a legend in authentic country music.
KM
I understand that the only music you could possibly listen to is country but also understand that the only music you want to listen to is the music that you can only hear are the words being screeched at you. That is not music. Music is what Kitty Wells did, music is what civilized people listen to, and that is something that you would not understand. I am also sure that you could not carry at tune so keep your rude comments to yourself. Kitty Wells was the Queen of Country Music, something she earned, and that is something you nor anyone else ignorant to her voice could not nor will ever understand. RIP Kitty, you have certainly earned the rest and you have earned your wings, so fly high you and Johnny certainly deserve it, your wings and crown await you.
KM, you appear to be one of the many disrespectful little internet punks that populate this world.
May God have mercy on your soul.......
KM, she's the reason you don't like country music? You might be interested in hearing that you (and folks like you) are the reason blogs like this one are becoming worthless garbage. Why don't you just grow up a little. If your folks couldn't teach you, then ask someone to explain the basic rules of politeness and social courtesy. There's no excuse for behaving like a "KM."
Wow, KM. Can you show your ignorance a little more? You apparently don't know much about the history of country music and how singing styles have changed over the decades. Nor do you realize how groundbreaking Miss Wells' music was. "Clownish clothes"? Really? It was the 50s - maybe you should rent "Rebel without a Cause" or "Picnic" or watch an episode of "I Love Lucy" and see how people dressed back then.
(km)You are a very unlikeable person. If you don't like country music why are you commenting. You sound like trash anyway.
When I was a Pre-pubescent teenager, and called I.d. wasn't yet invented, we'd have fun making crank phone calls and hang up on PPL. That was such fun..... Today Pre-pubescent teenagers log onto CNN and do the same. Moral of the story, dont take them seriously, because they are just dumb kids like we once were. Just laugh at them and move on.
Any living person who has great-great grandchildren is pure trash.
You're a sick puppy.
Get some professional help ~ soon. Very soon.
Well , good ole Tom must be a country boy....I'd say with maybe a 5th grade education!!!!!!!!
Who the H3ll are you to decide THAT?
And you're an expert about trash , right? RIP Kitty.
Child, troll elsewhere. I feel sorry for anyone who had trash for parents that didn't teach them manners
Tom: Why don't you go join the Westboro Baptist Church if you enjoy insulting someone who just died so much.
You don't know who she is, do you?
Much like the Westboros know nothing of the dead person they are condemning.
I don't know what rocks you people climb out from under.
..and anyone that would make such a stupid remark should rot in a sewer until gagged to death.
Did the voices also tell you that Elvis is alive?
Tom here, is a perfect example of a prepubescent teenager. That is mentally, anyway. It's his crank call, if you will. Gee Tom, I hear your mother calling. Time to do that homework..... Off you go.
Tom– Just what the heck kind of IGNORANT – REDNECK comment is that to make? Having great great grandchildren only means that they lived a very long life and their great grandchildren had children. You are one IGNORANT STUPID PIECE OF WHITE TRASH IF EVER THERE WAS ONE .....oh yeah, by the way how many children do you have (hope you are not actually breeding).
To Tom: Dude, you obviously can't do simple math. Each of the women in her family's subsequent generations had kids at around 23 (an average), for Kitty to have had great-great-grandchildren at 92. What kind of du mb f* ck thinks that people 23 years old having kids is "white trash"? I might be concerned if she was 56 and a great-great-grandmother, that would mean the women in her family having babies at maybe 14 or 15 years old, which just screams no parental supervision, or no education (which incidentally isn't a characteristic of just "white trash", try black, hispanics AND whites, just about everyone with no parental supervision or no education, or low socio-economic status!)...Tom – get out in the world, get some life experience, read a few books, look around you, do some observation...THEN you might be able to make intelligent comments (but I somehow doubt it)!!!
Who the hell....?
Not a fan of country music and no disrespect, but, I thought she was dead already. ~R.I.P~
I guess that post just proves you are not only a jerk, but an uninformed one.
@Dave...lmao ¡
Wow, she was elderly. I didn't even know she was still alive. At any rate, I remember my parents having an album or two of her's in their country music collection. Didn't know her music that well since she wasn't part of my generation. At any rate, may she be at peace. I'm sure her family is grieved at her passing. So sad.
@Dave...lmao !
No one had a greater voice than Patsy Cline, period! No debate. No argument. End of discussion.
Bill...you're missing the point here. Kitty Wells was the first female singer to earn respect by recording a hit song. Elvis was given the moniker "King of Rock & Roll" when others in the field like B.B. King and current day musicians such as Mick Jagger certainly rock louder and can sing better. It's all about who did it first, not who is the best in his/her field.
Oh, I'm sure I could debate and argue with you about your comment but what would be the point? You have your opinion and I have mine. Just keep enjoying her songs 🙂
I agree 110%. Kitty was good, but Patsy, well she was the best, period.
This story really should be getting more play from the media. This woman was a legend and a pioneer and deserves more respect than passing mention.
Goodness every time you turn around a celebrity is dying. At least its mostly people who are 77 or up.
Every day it seems.. Its like the lights are starting to be turned off one by one.. Very sad..
Who cares what a no-talent hack like Kellie Pickler has to say?
She wrote something out of respect, and it actually made sense. You may not care, but she did (and so do I).
Well, aren't you just a breath of fresh air?
I think it's safe to say a lot more people care about Ms. Pickler's comments tahn about yours. Man, that makes you pretty low on the totem pole of life, doesn't it?
musicians are dropping like flies. What is going on?
They get old and die just like everyone else.
TO DAVE: No, not all of them get old and die, dude. I can think of 2 musicians, Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees (53 years old, and NO not of drugs or alcohol), and his twin Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees (and, again, not of drugs or alcohol). So, in your obituary, just have your loved ones put down "died of being "old". Yes, you'll be one of those old people one day. And sooner than you think.
To Kenny: Ooooops forgot the drug overdoses :/ Sorry about that.
But seriously, I was just making a generic comment. they are really no different than everyone else when it comes right down to it. They get diseases and medical issues as well. Somehow people seem to think they are immortal until, POOF, they're gone.
Dear Donna thanks so much for wriintg and for taking an interest in HEART of Tucson. If you look at our blog article Attention All Horse Lovers' this will give you an update on what we were told about the colts. We will continue to update the blog on Kitty, as well as other rescues that we get in. Take care. HEART of Tucson
Kitty Wells was the queen of country for a lot of years. I still have cassette tapes of her. There was never a voice like hers. RIP, Kitty. You've gone home now.
Yes, Kenny, America has lost a wonderful lady. Miss Kitty Wells, we will miss you and your special voice! R I P. You have earned it!
I'm glad there was not another voice like hers. We did not need the first one !!
km we don't need your voice either. I hope you get hit by a bus full of geezers on their way to Vegas.