September 25, 2024 | Sarah Ng

The Day Country Music Died


Gone Too Soon

Patsy Cline was one of the most important singers of the 20th century, but her chilling end cast a dark shadow over the world of country music.Patsy-Msn

Country Music Fans Mourned Her

In a twisted way, Patsy Cline's loss mirrored the horrifying end of Buddy Holly, whose demise came to be known as "The Day the Music Died". This devastated rock fans, but just four years after his passing, country music fans experienced a similar sense of grief.

Patsy Cline 1960Decca Records, Wikimedia Commons

She Was Only 30 Years Old

On March 5, 1963, Patsy Cline boarded a flight, oblivious to the fact that she would never reach her intended destination. She was only 30 years old—her entire career stretching out before her. And even more tragic? She was at the top of her game.

Patsy ClineWikimedia Commons, Picryl

She Wasn't An Instant Star

Patsy Cline's original name was Virginia Patterson Hensley—best known as Ginny by her peers, throughout her childhood. When it came to success in the music industry, she certainly rode an unforgiving rollercoaster ride.

Patsy Cline PortraitMichael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

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She Disappeared

Cline shot to early fame in 1957 with her popular song "Walkin' After Midnight," but had trouble digging her heels in. For a whopping four years, her name mostly disappeared from the country charts. Then, in 1961, she managed to turn her luck around.

Patsy Cline At The Piano 130905223Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

She Had A Major Comeback

Cline released some major bangers, such as "I Fall To Pieces" and "She's Got You," which were both number-one hits. Then came the song that truly defined her legacy, "Crazy"—a tune that has now become a country music standard. 

But though Cline was on the rise, she harbored some seriously disturbing feelings.

Patsy Cline At The Mint Casino In Las Vegas, Nevada. Circa 1962Shanecollinswiki, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

She Had Strange Premonitions

You see, Patsy Cline feared that she didn't have much time left. Eerie premonitions of her own demise often clouded her thoughts, and she even shared her worries with some recognizable names: June Carter, Loretta Lynn, and Dottie West. But that wasn't all.

Country Singer Patsy Cline Performs at the Riverside Park BallroomRichard Weize, Getty Images

She Wrote Her Will

Cline truly believed her days were numbered—so much so that drafted her will while flying with Delta Airlines. She was also oddly specific about the outfit she wished to be buried in. The singer was just 28, but seemed to know what lay ahead.

Patsy ClineDecca Records, Wikimedia Commons

Her Final Days Were Glorious

Though Cline's dark fate crept closer and closer, her last days on earth were as eventful and musical as the rest of her life. Just two days before the tragedy unfolded, she took part in a benefit show. It would be her very last time on stage.

Patsy ClineBrett Jordan, Flickr

She Was In Good Company

At the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall, Patsy Cline shone as bright as ever, rubbing shoulders with other country greats like George Jones and Billy Walker, among many others. That day, she had three separate showtimes, donning a different dress each time.

Photo of Patsy ClineMichael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

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She Was Absolutely Stunning

For her first performance, Cline wore red, and for the second, she wore blue tulle. However, her third dress was so glorious, it made a lasting impression on her good friend Dottie West: “I will never forget that gorgeous white chiffon dress she wore. She was just beautiful. [The audience] just screamed and yelled when she did ‘Bill Bailey.’ She sang the fire out of it".

Photo of Patsy CLINEGAB Archive, Getty Images

One Last Song

Cline's very last song that night was chillingly fitting: "I'll Sail My Ship Alone". Following the benefit, she returned to the Town House Motor Hotel—but the following day, the trouble began.

Patsy Cline's Home In Winchester, VirginiaSarah Stierch, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

A Delayed Flight

You see, thanks to the extremely foggy conditions at Fairfax Airport, Cline couldn't fly home to Nashville just yet. Therefore, on March 5, 1963, a day later, she finally checked out—and headed for the airport.

Sweet Dreams (1985)HBO, Sweet Dreams (1985)

Her Manager Was The Pilot

Alongside her fellow musicians Cowboy Copas and Hawkshaw Hawkins, Patsy Cline boarded a Piper PA-24 Comanche, piloted by none other than her own manager, Randy Hughes. 

Sweet Dreams (1985)HBO, Sweet Dreams (1985)

So Much To Lose

Tragically, Hawkshaw Hawkins hadn't even intended to be on this flight, but stepped in after Billy Walker opted to take a commercial flight due to a family emergency. Even more tragic? He had a pregnant wife and infant son waiting for him at home. 

Sweet Dreams (1985)HBO, Sweet Dreams (1985)

They Were Warned

Eventually, the plane arrived in Tennessee—but this was where the pilot Randy Hughes made a fatal mistake. You see, the airfield manager had alerted him to some serious red flags.

Sweet Dreams (1985)HBO, Sweet Dreams (1985)

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They Didn't Stay The Night

The weather was poor and the winds were strong. But the airfield manager's advice to hunker down for the night and wait it out fell on deaf ears. Instead, Hughes had a shocking response: "I've already come this far. We'll be there before you know it".

At 6:07 pm, the plane launched into the sky, sealing the fates of everyone on board.

Sweet Dreams (1985)HBO, Sweet Dreams (1985)

Her Plane Crashed

It didn't take long for Patsy Cline's plane to crash. According to her wristwatch, which was eventually found, the time read 6:20 pm. Miles away, Hawkshaw Hawkins' wife Jean Shepard knew something had gone terribly wrong.

Photo of Patsy ClineMichael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

His Wife Had A "Horrible Feeling"

According to Shepard, "It was beginning to get dusky dark, and the most horrible feeling come over me that had ever come over me in my life. I just stood there a couple of minutes and kind of froze. I thought I was going into labor. ... That's about the time the plane crash happened".

Country Stars At An EventMichael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

So Close, Yet So Far

The crash site in Camden forest was like something straight out of a horror film—the plane had smashed into the ground, sending parts flying in all different directions. They had gone down just 90 miles away from their intended destination. Everyone had perished upon impact.

Sweet Dreams (1985)HBO, Sweet Dreams (1985)

Holding On To Hope

When the plane went missing, there was still time for people to hold on to hope. Cornelia Fort Airpark, which had been waiting for the plane to arrive, made sure to keep the lights on in case the plane touched down late.

Sweet Dreams (1985)HBO, Sweet Dreams (1985)

The Missing Plane Made The News

The media began reporting that a plane carrying well-known musicians, including Cline, had vanished. But it was only a matter of time before the gruesome truth came out.

Sweet Dreams (1985)HBO, Sweet Dreams (1985)

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Roger Miller Found Them

The following morning, singer-songwriter Roger Miller and his friend took matters into his own hands: He began looking for the plane himself. But when he finally stumbled upon the wreckage, nothing could have prepared him for the carnage.

Sweet Dreams (1985)HBO, Sweet Dreams (1985)

"It Was Ghastly"

Miller later recounted that unforgettable morning: "As fast as I could, I ran through the woods screaming their names—through the brush and the trees—and I came up over this little rise, oh, my God, there they were. It was ghastly. The plane had crashed nose down".

Sweet Dreams (1985)HBO, Sweet Dreams (1985)

Looters Pilfered What They Could

It didn't take long for looters to descend upon the wreckage, making off with what treasures they could. Among these items were Cline's wristwatch, gold lamé slippers, a studded belt, and a lighter, which eventually found their way to the Country Music Hall of Fame. 

Sweet Dreams (1985)HBO, Sweet Dreams (1985)

Thousands Came To The Memorial

In the end, Patsy Cline received the farewell she'd planned for. At her memorial service, thousands of people came to pay their respects, but they also wanted to get their hands on a little souvenir to remember the singer by.

Sweet Dreams (1985)HBO, Sweet Dreams (1985)

Laid To Rest

A tent covered Cline's casket, and attendees squished in around her grave, reaching out for flowers to take home. Her final resting place? Shenandoah Memorial Park in Winchester, Virginia.

Sweet Dreams (1985)HBO, Sweet Dreams (1985)

She Left Behind A Lasting Legacy

The bronze plaque above Cline's grave has a devastating inscription: "Death Cannot Kill What Never Dies: Love". However, in the years following her loss, there was one person who became increasingly frustrated by the way Patsy Cline drew more attention than any of the other victims of the crash.

Sweet Dreams (1985)HBO, Sweet Dreams (1985)

She Overshadowed The Other Victims

Hawkshaw Hawkins' wife Jean Shepard felt rather bitter in the aftermath of the tragedy. She later confessed, "A lot of people think during this time that I've hated Patsy Cline, and that's not the story at all. I resented the way it was presented, like she was the only person on that airplane. ... I lost a husband".

Sweet Dreams (1985)HBO, Sweet Dreams (1985)

They Lost Their Mother

Patsy Cline also left behind her two children, Julie Simadore and Allen Randolph. Julie, in particular, has been devoted to honoring her mother's memory.

Sweet Dreams (1985)HBO, Sweet Dreams (1985)

Her Children Never Forgot Her

Julie eventually had a hand in opening a museum that was dedicated to her mother. She has also shown face at a number of events related to Cline's career. But that's not the most heart-wrenching part.

Sweet Dreams (1985)HBO, Sweet Dreams (1985)

Her Daughter Is A Devoted Fan

In conversation with People Magazine, Julie shared, "I do understand her position in history, and the history of Nashville and country music...I'm still kind of amazed at it myself, because there's 'Mom' and then there's 'Patsy Cline,' and I'm actually a fan".

Sweet Dreams (1985)HBO, Sweet Dreams (1985)

One Decision Changed Everything

Perhaps one of the most tragic elements of Patsy Cline's demise were some of the last words she ever spoke. You see, when her flight was initially delayed, her good friend Dottie West came to her with a proposition.

Photo of Patsy ClineMichael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

Heartbreaking Final Words

West actually offered Cline a ride back to Nashville. However, it was a long haul—a whole eight hours—and Cline ultimately declined. Her chilling response?  "Don't worry about me, Hoss. When it's my time to go, it's my time".

Patsy Cline PosedGAB Archive, Getty Images

Never Forgotten

Patsy Cline's contributions to country and pop music will never be forgotten. Her music has inspired other big stars like Trisha Yearwood and Brandi Carlile, among many others. 

Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973, Cline's tragically brief career continues to shine bright.

Patsy ClineBrent Moore, Flickr


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