Stroke hobbles hard-working country music legend
NASHVILLE Country music legend Loretta Lynn has been hospitalised after suffering a stroke, her publicist says.
Maria Malta, a publicist for Sony Music, confirmed that the 85-year-old singer and songwriter was admitted to a Nashville hospital after suffering the stroke at her home in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.
Lynn’s website says she is responsive and expected to make a full recovery.
It says Lynn has been advised by doctors to stay off the road while she recuperates, and upcoming scheduled concerts will be postponed.
Lynn’s sister, Grammywinning singer Crystal Gayle, said in a statement issued by her publicist: ‘‘ Many of you have heard that my sister, Loretta Lynn, had a stroke. She’s a strong woman and I know she’ll come out of this.
‘‘Our family appreciates your prayers, love and support. We pray for a speedy recovery.’’
One of the icons of country music, Lynn blazed a trail as a strong-willed singer and songwriter who wrote honest and REUTERS at times frank songs about sex, divorce, cheating, and even birth control.
Born in Kentucky, she had a string of hits starting in the 1960s with the biographical Coal Miner’s Daughter, You Ain’t Woman Enough, The Pill and One’s On The Way.
Her songs reflect pride in her humble background and speak frankly of her experiences as a young wife and mother from poor Appalachia.
Her 1977 autobiography was made into a popular movie that earned actress Sissy Spacek an Oscar for her portrayal of the singer. More recently, Lynn won two Grammy Awards in 2005 for her album Van Lear Rose.
She continues to tour and record regularly, but had to postpone shows last year after suffering injuries in a fall that required surgery.
She is set to release a new album in August, and will be the subject of a new exhibition at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville the same month. AAP