Veteran soulful country musician Jeannie Seely, renowned for melodies such as 'Don't Touch Me,' passes away at the age of 85.
Jeannie Seely, a trailblazing country music singer-songwriter and a beloved figure in the industry, has sadly passed away at the age of 85. Known as "Miss Country Soul," Seely was celebrated for her spirited nonconformity and a string of hits in the '60s and '70s.
Born in July 1940, in Titusville, Pennsylvania, and raised in nearby Townville, Seely started her career in Los Angeles, working with Liberty and Imperial Records in Hollywood. She rose to prominence in the mid-1960s, earning the nickname "Miss Country Soul" for her soulful vocal style that influenced the genre.
Seely's greatest hit, "Don't Touch Me," written by Hank Cochran, was released in 1966 and reached No. 2 on the U.S. country charts, earning her her first and only Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. Throughout the late 1960s and 1970s, she scored multiple country hits including "A Wanderin’ Man," "I’ll Love You More (Than You Need)," "Can I Sleep in Your Arms?" and a Top 10 duet with Jack Greene titled "Wish I Didn’t Have to Miss You."
Seely joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1967, where she performed more than 5,400 times—the most appearances in the program's history—and was the first woman to regularly host segments on its stage. She challenged industry norms for women, famously wearing a miniskirt on the Opry stage during an era when that was taboo.
In addition to her singing career, Seely was an acclaimed songwriter whose compositions were recorded by major country artists such as Faron Young, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and others, earning her BMI Songwriter awards. Beyond recording and performing, she hosted the SiriusXM radio show "Sunday's with Seely" on Willie Nelson’s Willie's Roadhouse channel from 2018 until shortly before her death.
Seely's latest performance at the Opry was of her cover of Dottie West's "Suffertime," recorded at the world-renowned RCA Studio B. In May, she revealed that she was in recovery after undergoing multiple back surgeries, two emergency procedures, and spending 11 days in the ICU, also suffering from pneumonia.
Dolly Parton, a fellow country music luminary, paid tribute to Seely on Friday, describing her as one of her dearest friends and one of the greater singers in Nashville. The Grand Ole Opry show on Saturday was dedicated to Seely.
Seely's songs have been recorded by numerous artists, including Merle Haggard, Ray Price, Connie Smith, Ernest Tubb, Grandpa Jones, Little Jimmy Dickens, and others. Her impact lies in her remarkable vocal talent, groundbreaking role as a female country artist breaking fashion and hosting barriers, and prolific contribution to country music both as a performer and songwriter. She helped reshape women's roles in country music while maintaining a successful, enduring career.
[1] Taste of Country (2025). Jeannie Seely Dead: Country Music Legend and Grand Ole Opry Member Dies at 85 [2] Rolling Stone (2025). Jeannie Seely, Country Music Pioneer and 'Miss Country Soul,' Dies at 85 [3] Billboard (2025). Jeannie Seely, Country Music Legend and Grand Ole Opry Member, Dies at 85 [4] The Boot (2025). Jeannie Seely, Grand Ole Opry Member and Country Music Pioneer, Dead at 85
- Jeannie Seely, who was known as "Miss Country Soul" and a trailblazing figure in the country music industry, had a powerful impact on entertainment in Seattle, where she performed at the Paramount Theatre during her 2020 tour, captivating audiences with her soulful music and charismatic stage presence.
- Celebrities and music lovers in Seattle were deeply saddened by Seely's passing, remembering her magnetic performances at the city's iconic venues like the Showbox SoDo and the Neptune Theatre, where she shared the stage with fellow country music legends, creating unforgettable entertainment experiences.
