Current:Home > BackDixie Chicks Founding Member Laura Lynch Dead at 65 After Car Crash-LoTradeCoin
Dixie Chicks Founding Member Laura Lynch Dead at 65 After Car Crash
View Date:2024-12-23 22:34:52
The Chicks are mourning one of their own.
Laura Lynch, who co-founded the country band when they debuted more than 30 years ago as the Dixie Chicks, has died in a car accident. She was 65.
The musician, the group's former lead singer and upright bass player, was killed in a head-on crash Dec. 22 on a highway in El Paso, Texas, the state's Department of Public Safety told local outlet WFAA. The organization said an investigation into the collision is ongoing.
Current Chicks members Emily Strayer, Martie Maguire and Natalie Maines, issued a statement about Laura's death Dec. 23.
"We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Laura Lynch, a founding member of The Chicks," they wrote on Instagram, alongside a throwback '90s video of the original group performing. "We hold a special place in our hearts for the time we spent playing music, laughing and traveling together."
The Dixie Chicks were founded in 1989 as a bluegrass band, consisting of sisters Martie and Emily, Robin Lynn Macy and Laura. Their name was inspired by the band Little Feat's 1973 song "Dixie Chicken."
"We said, 'What about the Dixie Chickens?'" Laura recalled on Entertainment Tonight in 1992. "Everybody said, 'I don't know about being chickens.' So the girls, Martie and Emily shortened it to Dixie Chicks."
Robin left the group that year. In 1995, after the band had recorded three albums, Laura, the frontwoman at the time, made her own exit. The brunette singer was replaced by Natalie. In 2020, the group changed their name to The Chicks.
In their Instagram post, the band called Laura a "bright light," adding, "her infectious energy and humor gave a spark to the early days of our band. Laura had a gift for design, a love of all things Texas and was instrumental in the early success of the band. Her undeniable talents helped propel us beyond busking on street corners to stages all across Texas and the mid-West."
They added, "Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones at this sad time."
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (67)
Related
- Trump pledged to roll back protections for transgender students. They’re flooding crisis hotlines
- West Virginia University outlines proposed program and faculty cuts
- Q&A: Kelsea Ballerini on her divorce EP and people throwing things at concerts
- Former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Sean Dawkins dies at 52, according to Jim Irsay
- Wicked Director Jon M. Chu Reveals Name of Baby Daughter After Missing Film's LA Premiere for Her Birth
- Inside Russell Wilson and Pregnant Ciara's Winning Romance
- Mick Fleetwood says his restaurant has been lost in Maui wildfires: We are heartbroken
- Mick Fleetwood says his restaurant has been lost in Maui wildfires: We are heartbroken
- Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul referee handled one of YouTuber's biggest fights
- Balanced effort leads US past Doncic-less Slovenia 92-62 in World Cup warm-up game
Ranking
- What’s the secret to growing strong, healthy nails?
- Ron Rivera's hot seat still sizzles, but Commanders reset gives new lease on coaching life
- Home Depot employee fatally shot in Florida store, suspect is in custody
- They lost everything in the Paradise fire. Now they’re reliving their grief as fires rage in Hawaii
- Jennifer Lopez Turns Wicked Premiere Into Family Outing With 16-Year-Old Emme
- 'Feisty queen:' Atlanta zoo mourns Biji the orangutan, who lived to an 'exceptional' age
- Former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Sean Dawkins dies at 52, according to Jim Irsay
- 'I'm a Swiftie!' Kevin Costner 'blown away' at Taylor Swift concert with his daughter
Recommendation
-
Man waives jury trial in killing of Georgia nursing student
-
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone pulls out of world championships due to injury
-
Amidst streaming chaos, Dropout carves out its own niche
-
Lawsuit targets Wisconsin legislative districts resembling Swiss cheese
-
Shaboozey to headline halftime show of Lions-Bears game on Thanksgiving
-
Denver house explodes and partially collapses, hospitalizing 1
-
Big Brother contestant Luke Valentine removed from house after using N-word on camera
-
14-year-old boy rescued after falling 70 feet from Grand Canyon cliff