Musicians and celebrities are mourning the death of “icon” Loretta Lynn, a pioneer in the country genre.
Lynn died Tuesday at her home in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, her family said in a statement provided to USA TODAY. She was 90.
The Country Music Hall of Famer’s biggest hits came in the 1960s and ’70s, including “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” “You Ain’t Woman Enough,” “The Pill” and “You’re Looking at Country.”
Country music greats and beyond expressed their grief and condolences on social media following her death.
Loretta Lynn obituary:Country music legend known for ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’ dies at 90
Tanya Tucker reflects on her ‘hero’
Fellow country music icon Tanya Tucker shared a video and snapshots of herself with Lynn in a sweet tribute to Instagram.
“Today, my world changed and it will never be the same again. My hero @lorettalynnofficial got her wings and it’s been a day filled with tears,” she wrote.
Tucker expressed her gratitude for having Lynn as a guide in the music world and said they became “best friends.”
“She brought me flowers always and I brought flowers to her,” she continued. “Time has let me share many special moments with her, I even named my horse after her, but now time has taken her from me forever!”
She signed off, “Your girl always, Tanya.”
Faith Hill calls Lynn a ‘national treasure’
Country artist Faith Hill also shared a lengthy tribute on Instagram, saying Lynn “will always be a national treasure.”
“She not only ‘pushed the envelope’ as the old saying goes…this woman was the envelope filled with stories of life. A real life, as a woman. What it meant to be a woman. To be a wife, to be a mother,” Hill wrote.
She said that Lynn was “the original” when it came to “pushing the envelope.”
“Loretta knew that women could break down walls. And she did, for all women baring their souls and their lives.”
Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, more remember Loretta Lynn
From one legend to another, Parton wrote a sweet tribute to her “sister, friend Loretta.”
“We’ve been like sisters all the years we’ve been in Nashville and she was a wonderful human being, wonderful talent, had millions of fans and I’m one of them,” the “9 to 5” singer wrote. “I miss her dearly as we all will. May she rest in peace.”
In a lengthy tribute, Reba McEntire recalled how her mother and Lynn were “strong women, who loved their children and were fiercely loyal.”
“I always did and I always will love Loretta,” she added. “She was always so nice to me. I sure appreciate her paving the rough and rocky road for all us girl singers.”
Miranda Lambert posted a series of photos with Lynn on Instagram. “I’m so heartbroken to hear about Loretta’s passing. She was so kind to me and she blazed so many trails for all of us girls in country music,” she captioned the pictures. “Thank you for all the songs. I miss you. Fly high.”
Rimes shared a tribute on Twitter, calling “sweet Loretta Lynn” an “icon.” “What a trailblazer! what a beautiful soul!” the country singer continued. “may she rest peacefully with the angels. my heart is with her family and friends.”
Blake Shelton commented, “Terrible news about Loretta Lynn passing away… Prayers to her family.”
Trace Adkins shared a photo holding hands with the late country singerwriting, “Loretta Lynn. The poet that could contextualize her life has yet to be born. I’ll cherish the memories of the times I was in her presence. Rest In peace, darling.”
“She showed us all how to unapologetically tell the truth,” Pearce said in a tribute. “One of the greatest there ever will be. I’ll be singing ‘Dear Miss Loretta’ with a little extra love tonight at the @opry.”
Tenille Arts also reflected on Lynn’s legacy for women in country music, writing that they wouldn’t be “where we are without her and the paths Loretta Lynn paved.”
“It’s safe to say I wouldn’t even be making country music today if it weren’t for Loretta Lynn,” Margo Price wrote alongside a photo dueting with the late singer. “She showed me up what it looked like to be a musician and a mom. Her writing was as real as the day is long. This one hurts on another level. I’ll miss her forever.”
Sheryl Crow shared a photo of herself and Lynn onstage together on Twitter along with her tribute.
“The news of Loretta Lynn’s passing just came across my news feed and time stopped, Crow wrote. “There will never be another like her. May she forever sing with the angels!!”
Darius Rucker called Lynn and “iconic legend,” adding, “I am so bless(ed) to call her (a) friend. I miss u already Loretta. Love u. And rest now u angel.”
Billy Ray Cyrus recalled performing his song “Country Music Has the Blues” with Lynn and George Jones, calling it one of his “highest honors.”
Jack White, lead singer of The White Stripes, called Lynn a “genius,” as well as a “mother figure” and “very good friend,” in a video tribute posted to Instagram. The two worked together on Lynn’s 2004 album “Van Lear Rose,” which White produced.
“What a sad day today is. We lost one of the greats,” White said. ” I said years ago that I thought she was the greatest female singer-songwriter of the 20th century. I still believe that. Loretta used to say to make it in the business, you had to either be great, different, or first, and she thought that she was just different and that’s how she did it. But I think she was all three of those things, and there’s plenty of evidence to back that up too.”
Music group Oak Ridge Boys tweeted: “Very sad news this morning … LORETTA LYNN has gone home … Great Britain lost their Queen … now we have lost ours … Rest easy ma’am. You were loved all.”
Travis Tritt shared a photo performing alongside Lynn on Twitter. “So sad to hear of the passing of @LorettaLynn. She was always an inspiration to those of us who grew up listening to and loving real country music,” he said. “Her kindness, strength and devotion to country music and her fans will be deeply missed. They don’t make ’em like her anymore.”
Carole King called Lynn an “inspiration” in a short tribute.
Martina McBride said “there will never be another like” Lynn in an Instagram post.
“I am so grateful that I got to know her, to spend time with her, laugh with her,” McBride wrote alongside a photo of the two. “I was always a little astonished when she called me her friend. … She ended every phone call the same way…’I love you honey.’ I love you too Loretta. I love you too.”
Tim McGraw wrote on Twitter: “There was no one like Loretta. She was a trailblazer for the genre and a role model for so many young women…. My wife and our daughters included. Sending our love to her family and all of those grieving today.”
Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn calls Loretta Lynn a ‘pioneer for women in country music’
Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn called the late country music singer “a force to be reckoned with and a pioneer for women in country music.”
“My prayers are with her family and all who loved her dearly. She will be missed,” Blackburn added.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear mourned the “legend who blazed a trail in country music while telling the stories of Appalachia and Kentucky.”
“She will be greatly missed, but her words and impact will live on forever,” Beshear continued.
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More celebrities remember Loretta Lynn
Lynda Carter praised Lynn for being able to “share her wisdom and talent with the world for as long as she did. We will miss her.”
Bravo host Andy Cohen recalled having Lynn on “Watch What Happens Live” in 2016 and 2019.What an icon and lovely person,” he wrote on Twitter.
“Oh no! All the legends are going in your glory,” Yvette Nicole Brown wrote.
Contributing: Peter Cooper, The Tennessean; Kristin M. Hall, The Associated Press
