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Another Queen Lost: Queen of Country Music Loretta Lynn Dead at 90
Another legend gone in 2022
Loretta Lynn, the woman who was the undisputed Queen of Country music in the 1960s and 1970s and became famous far beyond that musical genre after the smash 1980 film Coal Miner’s Daughter, died today at the age of 90. Though her distinctive voice was instantly recognizable to fans, it’s likely that when many today think of her, the face they first see is Sissy Spacek’s, who won a Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Lynn in Coal Miner’s Daughter.
Lynn grew up in poverty and married Oliver “Doolittle” Lynn at the age of 15. Though the marriage was tumultuous because of his drinking and philandering (themes which often ended up in her songs), the pair remained together for nearly 50 years until his death 1996 and had six children together.
Her career spanned more than five decades, producing 24 #1 country singles, including five consecutive #1 hits with duet partner Conway Twitty. Her songs about women’s issues were ahead of their time, especially for country music, and she had several songs banned by country radio stations, including “Rated X” in 1973 and “The Pill” in 1975; both went on to be considered among her classics.
Others will write more detailed remembrances of Loretta Lynn, but I want to share…
