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14 Years Ago Today, Country Music Said Goodbye to the Revolutionary Songstress Who Paved the Way for Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, and Dolly Parton
Fourteen years ago today, on 16 July 2012, country music legend Kitty Wells died aged 92 in Madison, Tennessee, from complications of a stroke. Known as the genre's original queen, Wells broke through the male-dominated country establishment of the 1940s and 1950s with her 1952 hit "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels", the first single by a woman to top the Billboard country charts, opening the door for later stars such as Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette and Dolly Parton.
Born Ellen Muriel Deason in Nashville in 1919, Wells initially struggled to establish a solo career after being dropped by RCA Victor in 1950, and had considered quitting music before Decca Records executive Paul Cohen offered her the song that made her name. Despite being banned by some radio stations and the Grand Ole Opry for its controversial subject matter, the track spent six weeks at number one and became one of the first million-selling singles by a solo female country artist. Wells went on to be voted the genre's top female vocalist for 14 consecutive years and was the first woman to headline both a major tour and a syndicated television variety show, cementing a legacy that endures today.
In short
- Kitty Wells, country music's "original queen", died 16 July 2012 aged 92
- Her 1952 hit was the first number one by a female country solo artist
- She paved the way for Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette and Dolly Parton
Explained simply
Kitty Wells was an American country music singer who became the first woman to achieve major commercial success in a genre dominated by men. Born Ellen Muriel Deason in Nashville in 1919, she struggled for years to establish herself as a solo artist before breaking through in 1952. Her success fundamentally altered the landscape of country music and the opportunities available to female artists.
Wells' breakthrough came with "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels", which topped the country charts for six weeks and became one of the first million-selling singles by a solo female country artist. The controversial song was even banned by some radio stations and venues, yet its commercial success proved there was a substantial audience for female country performers. This opened doors for many women who would follow Wells into the genre.
Wells' impact proved lasting. She was voted the genre's top female vocalist for 14 consecutive years and was the first woman to headline both a major tour and a syndicated television variety show. Later stars such as Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette and Dolly Parton all benefited from the pioneering path Wells had established.