(10 Apr 1998) English/Nat

Country and Western's greatest stars gathered in Nashville on Thursday to bid an emotional farewell to singer Tammy Wynette.

Choking back tears, music greats like Naomi Judd, Dolly Parton and Randy Travis led a song-filled memorial service at the historical Ryman Auditorium.

55-year-old Wynette, whose hit song "Stand By Your Man" launched her country music career, died on Monday from a blood clot.

Hours after her funeral, the who's who of country music turned out to bid farewell to Tammy Wynette.

In a touching and emotional memorial service, they remembered and honoured "the first lady of country music".

Wynette's life was cut short on Monday - she died at 55 from a blood clot in her lungs - the tragic culmination of four years of stomach and intestinal illnesses.

She had a long history of health problems and was hospitalised many times in the last decade for ailments ranging from respiratory problems to the mumps.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The day is befitting, it's kind of a down day, everybody is feeling pretty bummed out. God bless Tammy Wynette, I'll see you all."
SUPER CAPTION: T. Graham Brown, country singer

A large portrait of Wynette was centre stage and a spotlight was fixed on it.

The hour-long service, held at the famous Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville, was emotional throughout, with stars paying tribute to "the first lady of country music".

During the ceremony, singer Dolly Parton spoke of the support Wynette had got from her husband of 20 years, George Richey.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"When I talked to George Richey, Tammy's wonderful husband, I always talk about Tammy and her wonderful song "Stand by you man'. Well, not many people say enough about George Richey and standing by his woman."
SUPER CAPTION: Dolly Parton, country singer

Although Wynette was married five times, her marriage with George Richey lasted from 1978 until her death.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I love you all."
SUPER CAPTION: George Richey, Tammy's husband

A tearful Naomi Judd called Wynette one of the three queens of country music, referring to Wynette, Parton and Loretta Lynn.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We had three queens in country music, and one of them has gone."
SUPER CAPTION: Naomi Judd, singer

Randy Travis, Wynonna Judd, Dolly Parton, The Oak Ridge Boys and Rudy Gatlin performed, while Merle Haggard appeared on video.

The public memorial service ended with Lorrie Morgan bringing a crowd of 15-hundred to tears and then to its feet with a rendition of "Stand by Your Man".

Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ] ​​
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]


You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]

свернуть