Singer Jeannie Seely from the United States has passed away.
Jeannie Seely, a pioneering country music singer and songwriter, best known for her 1966 Grammy Award-winning hit "Don't Touch Me", passed away on March 18, 2022, in Nashville, Tennessee. She was 85.
Born on July 6, 1940, in Titusville, Pennsylvania, Seely discovered her passion for music at a young age and performed on local radio and television shows. After moving to California for a brief banking career, she eventually made her way to Nashville, signing with Challenge Records and launching her career in the music industry.
Seely's career achievements were numerous. In 1966, her hit song "Don't Touch Me" reached number two on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and earned her a Grammy nomination. A year after her breakthrough, she became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, making history as the first woman to regularly host segments of the show.
Throughout her career, Seely earned the nickname "Miss Country Soul" for her soulful vocal style and made over 5,300 appearances on the Grand Ole Opry, more than any other performer. Her other significant songs include "A Wanderin' Man" (1967) and "I'll Love You More (Than You'll Need)" (1968).
Seely's trailblazing spirit and dedication ensured her legacy as a country music icon who opened doors for women in the industry while delivering emotionally resonant and stylistically distinctive music. She wrote over two dozen charting songs, including "Can I Sleep in Your Arms" and "Lucky Ladies."
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Seely formed a successful duo with Jack Greene, with their duets, such as "Wish I Didn't Have to Miss You," reaching number two on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.
Seely's advocacy for female artists in country music was noteworthy. She made a bold cultural statement by being the first female performer to wear a miniskirt on the Opry stage, symbolizing greater self-expression and independence for women in the genre.
Seely released 17 studio albums throughout her career, with her latest being "An American Classic" in 2020. In 2018, she started her own SiriusXM show called "Sundays With Seely."
The music world is paying tribute to Seely as an extraordinary artist. Singer Tim Atwood stated, "It's impossible to imagine a world without Jeannie. And while the Opry show is great, the Opry spotlight will never shine as bright without Jeannie at the center."
Dolly Parton, a longtime friend of Seely, shared a heartfelt farewell on Instagram, "Jeannie Seely was a trailblazer for women in country music. She was a dear friend, a mentor, and a true country soul. I will miss her dearly, but I know she's singing with the angels now. Rest in peace, Jeannie."
Seely's death was due to complications from a gastrointestinal infection. Her last performance at the Grand Ole Opry was in February of this year. Seely wrote hits for other artists, with "Leavin' and Sayin' Goodbye" for Faron Young being one of her most well-known compositions.
Seely's contributions to country music were recognised through multiple honours such as the Joe Talbot Award from the Country Music Association (CMA) and induction into the Music City Walk of Fame in 2018. She will be remembered as a country music icon who opened doors for women in the industry while delivering emotionally resonant and stylistically distinctive music.
I'm not going to be able to capture Jeannie Seely's impact on entertainment, particularly music, with just a few words, given her extensive career as a pioneering country music singer and songwriter who earned the nickname "Miss Country Soul". Her hits such as "Don't Touch Me", "A Wanderin' Man", and "I'll Love You More (Than You'll Need)", along with her duets with Jack Greene, truly left an indelible mark in country music.
