Patsy Cline The Most Famous and Influential Singer of The 20th Century

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Photo Source: pbs.org

FEMUSINDO.com - Patsy Cline, born Virginia Patterson Hensley, was born in Winchester, Virginia, United States, September 8, 1932.

She is an American singer from the state of Virginia and one of the first country music artists to switch to pop music.

Cline had several big hits during her eight-year recording career, including two number-one hits on the Billboard Hot Country and Western Sides charts.

First Professional Appearance

Cline's first professional appearance began on local radio station WINC when she was fifteen years old. In the early 1950s, Cline began performing in a local band led by singer Bill Peer.

Her various local appearances led to a featured appearance on the television broadcast of Connie B. Gay's Town and Country.

He signed his first recording contract with the Four Star label in 1954, and achieved minor success with his first Four Star singles, including "A Church, a Courtroom, Then Goodbye" (1955) and "I've Loved and Lost Again" (1956).

Television Appearances

In 1957, Cline made his first national television appearance on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts.

After performing "Walkin' After Midnight", the single became his first major hit on both the country and pop charts.

The 1961 single "I Fall to Pieces" became his first number-one single on the Billboard country charts.

While the song was a hit, Cline was seriously injured in a car accident, which left him hospitalized for a month. After recovering, his next single "Crazy" also became a major hit.

During 1962 and 1963, Cline had hits with "She's Got You", "When I Get Through with You", "So Wrong" and "Leavin' on Your Mind". She also toured more frequently and became a headliner.

Plane Crash

In March 1963, Cline was killed in a plane crash along with country singers Cowboy Copas, Hawkshaw Hawkins, and manager Randy Hughes, during a flight from Kansas City, Missouri, back to Nashville.

Since her death, Cline has been called one of the most famous, respected, and influential singers of the 20th century. Her music has influenced singers of many styles and genres.

She is also seen as a pioneer for women in country music, being one of the first to sell records and headline concerts.

Country Music Hall of Fame

In 1973, she became the first female performer to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. In the 1980s, Cline's posthumous success continued in the mass media. 

She was portrayed twice in major motion pictures, including the 1985 biopic Sweet Dreams starring Jessica Lange.

Several documentaries and stage shows have been made about her, including the 1988 musical Always...Patsy Cline. Her 1991 box set of her recordings was critically acclaimed.

Her greatest hits album sold more than 10 million copies by 2005. In 2011, Cline's childhood home in Winchester was restored as a museum for visitors and fans to visit. (*)