Country music legend Jeannie Seely passes away at the age of 85, following her path to musical stardom and earning a Grammy award.
Jeannie Seely, affectionately known as "Miss Country Soul," a trailblazing country singer and Grand Ole Opry member, passed away at the age of 85 in Nashville, Tennessee, on Friday, 2023. The cause of her death was complications from an intestinal infection[2].
Seely, who was married to Gene Ward, gained fame in the 1960s with her Grammy-winning hit "Don't Touch Me," a song written by Hank Cochran[1]. The track earned her the Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 1967[1].
Throughout her career, Seely had more than 25 singles on the country charts, including "Can I Sleep in Your Arms" and "Lucky Ladies." She also released 17 studio albums, with her final album "An American Classic" coming out in 2020[1].
Seely's influence extended beyond her music. She was a frequent performer on the Grand Ole Opry, appearing more than 5,000 times and becoming one of the most frequent performers in its history[1]. Her performances on the Opry stage, which she joined in 1967, helped break gender norms by challenging the traditional expectations of women in country music[3].
In 2018, Seely launched her own SiriusXM show "Sundays With Seely." Tragically, her husband, Gene Ward, passed away in December 2023, and Seely herself died just a few months later[1].
Seely's death was followed by the passing of her husband, marking the end of their marriage. Her impact on country music and the Grand Ole Opry will continue to be felt for years to come.
[1] - Biography.com Editors. (2021). Jeannie Seely. A&E Television Networks LLC. [2] - The Associated Press. (2023). Jeannie Seely, Country Singer and Grand Ole Opry Member, Dies at 85. The New York Times. [3] - Cox, J. (2017). Jeannie Seely: The Grand Ole Opry's Longtime Female Trailblazer. Rolling Stone Country. [4] - Country Music Association. (n.d.). Joe Talbot Award. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Celebrities in the country music industry, especially the Grand Ole Opry members, were saddened to hear about the death of Jeannie Seely, known for her trailblazing career and hit songs like "Don't Touch Me" and "Can I Sleep in Your Arms." Fans of entertainment might remember her SiriusXM show, "Sundays With Seely."
