Cline, Patsy (1932-1963), was a popular American country music singer. During the early 1960’s, her smooth emotional vocal style helped establish what became known as the Nashville sound in country music. Unlike most female country singers of her time, Cline was bold and bawdy and wore elegant gowns as well as cowgirl costumes on stage. Her appearance and her singing style influenced many female country performers. Cline’s classic songs include “Walking After Midnight” (1956), “I Fall to Pieces” (1960), “Crazy” (1961), “She’s Got You” (1962), and “Sweet Dreams (of You)” and “Faded Love” (both 1963). She was at the peak of her popularity when she was killed in an airplane crash on March 5, 1963, near Camden, Tennessee.
Patsy Cline was born Virginia Patterson Hensley on Sept. 8, 1932, in Gore, Virginia. She married Gerald Cline in 1953. They were divorced in 1957. She gained national recognition in 1957 after she sang “Walking After Midnight” on a television talent show. She was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973.
