Kitty Wells now a Honky Tonk Angel
July 16, 2012 5:43 PM   Subscribe

Kitty Wells, a pioneer of women in country music died today at the age of 92. Her first big hit, It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels, was a woman's reply to the Hank Thompson song, Wild Side of Life.

Kitty was known as the Queen of Country Music and her style was emulated by many women who followed her. One of my personal favourites is Makin Believe.

She sang with several generations of women country singers on this.
posted by Isadorady (41 comments total) 8 users marked this as a favorite
 
Good god I had no idea Kitty was still alive.

I giggle over 'Will Your Lawyer Talk to God for You' for the kitsch factor, but I loved Kitty's gentle, plaintive voice.
posted by winna at 5:56 PM on July 16, 2012 [2 favorites]


Count me as another who thought she'd already passed. RIP, you lovely lady.
posted by sleepy pete at 5:57 PM on July 16, 2012 [1 favorite]


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RIP, great lady.
posted by jonmc at 6:03 PM on July 16, 2012



posted by Wordwoman at 6:07 PM on July 16, 2012 [2 favorites]


Back when it was really country music (i.e. blues + fiddle and dobro) and not today's crap (top 40 pop + fiddle and dobro). Well, your man can no longer trifle on you now! Rest in peace.
posted by smirkette at 6:08 PM on July 16, 2012 [1 favorite]


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posted by The Whelk at 6:17 PM on July 16, 2012


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posted by lord_wolf at 6:24 PM on July 16, 2012


The woman who paved the way for Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, and Tammy Wynette. RIP honky tonk lady.
posted by Grumpy old geek at 6:32 PM on July 16, 2012 [1 favorite]


you really can't overstate how important she was to women in country music.
posted by nadawi at 6:34 PM on July 16, 2012 [4 favorites]


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posted by jacquilynne at 6:34 PM on July 16, 2012


i always enjoy genre policing and calls to a mythic purity in obit threads, i can't imagine anything more appropriate.

Wells was brilliant, as a musician, singer, performer and as a creator of her own personae, and is responsible for the careers of everyone from Tammy Wynette to Taylor Swift.

RIP
posted by PinkMoose at 6:35 PM on July 16, 2012 [2 favorites]


She sounded like the Stevie Nicks of country music. One of my all-time favorites.
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 6:38 PM on July 16, 2012 [1 favorite]


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posted by waitingtoderail at 6:38 PM on July 16, 2012


She was performing until near the end too. Friend of mine was her regular bass player.

An extraordinary stage persona, and a darn good singer. Quite a life.
posted by spitbull at 6:44 PM on July 16, 2012


One of the great ones. :(

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posted by mudpuppie at 6:48 PM on July 16, 2012


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posted by vverse23 at 6:58 PM on July 16, 2012


Saw her perform a few years back in Michigan. She stayed on the road into great old age, and her show really carried the aura of another time. A torrid one she composed herself:
posted by texorama at 7:19 PM on July 16, 2012


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posted by easily confused at 7:22 PM on July 16, 2012


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posted by Sailormom at 7:23 PM on July 16, 2012


My father is just going to be devastated over this news. Big fan.
posted by orange swan at 7:27 PM on July 16, 2012


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posted by notsnot at 7:28 PM on July 16, 2012


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posted by Aquaman at 7:55 PM on July 16, 2012


She just went out and sang, and in the process of doing so, she put the lie to the common wisdom of the day about women and music. A true pioneer and a great performer. A sad day.
posted by julen at 8:08 PM on July 16, 2012 [3 favorites]


Oh, she will be missed.
posted by Sidhedevil at 8:20 PM on July 16, 2012


I pull this one out every December. R.I.P., Ms. Wells.
posted by Rangeboy at 8:36 PM on July 16, 2012


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posted by Lynsey at 9:27 PM on July 16, 2012


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posted by Kinbote at 10:14 PM on July 16, 2012


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posted by hangingbyathread at 10:23 PM on July 16, 2012


Not sure if Isadorady missed it or I did but here is her biggest hit It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels
posted by Bonzai at 10:35 PM on July 16, 2012


Related.
posted by anewnadir at 10:36 PM on July 16, 2012


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posted by bjgeiger at 10:58 PM on July 16, 2012


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posted by caclwmr4 at 11:03 PM on July 16, 2012


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posted by flapjax at midnite at 11:54 PM on July 16, 2012


This is a HUGE loss.
posted by OmieWise at 4:47 AM on July 17, 2012


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posted by elsietheeel at 6:04 AM on July 17, 2012


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posted by jquinby at 6:28 AM on July 17, 2012


Godspeed, Miss Wells.
posted by Capt. Renault at 6:45 AM on July 17, 2012


When "My Guy" came out, I assumed that Kitty Wells was black.

I was really surprised when I saw her picture.

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posted by Danf at 8:14 AM on July 17, 2012 [1 favorite]


♫ ♪ ♪♫ ♪ ♪
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posted by Katjusa Roquette at 9:23 AM on July 17, 2012 [1 favorite]


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Another legend gone.
posted by notashroom at 12:59 PM on July 17, 2012


Ah me.

Well I guess she and my mother are talking it up now.

Mom was a huge fan.

Me too.
posted by mule98J at 11:29 PM on July 17, 2012


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