Country Music Legend Jeannie Seely Passes Away at 85

New York (AP) – Jeannie Seely, the voice behind classics like “Don’t Touch Me,” has passed away at the age of 85.

Her spokesperson, Don Marie Grubbs, confirmed that she died on Friday due to complications from an intestinal infection.

Often referred to as “Miss Country Soul,” Seely carved a path for women in country music with her distinct style. She garnered acclaim for her vibrant personality and a series of memorable hits from the 1960s and 70s.

Seely’s second husband, Jean Ward, passed away last December. Earlier this year, she shared that she was in recovery after undergoing multiple back surgeries, including two emergency procedures, and spending over a week in the ICU. She also dealt with pneumonia during this time.

“Rehabilitation is pretty challenging, but every day seems a bit brighter. Just last night, I felt like I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. It was neon, so I figured it was meant for me,” she reflected during her recovery. It’s clear she was resilient, pushing through her struggles.

Dolly Parton, among the many country music stars paying tribute, mentioned that she and Seely crossed paths in their early days in Nashville. “She was one of my dear friends,” Parton noted on social media. “She had a fantastic sense of humor and was definitely one of the standout voices in Nashville.”

Born in July 1940 in Titusville, Pennsylvania, Seely grew up not too far from there. Her passion for country music ignited early, influenced by her mother’s singing and her father’s banjo playing. As a child, she graced local radio and television shows. In her early twenties, she took a significant step by moving to Los Angeles to launch her career, signing on with Hollywood’s Freedom and Empire records.

As her career progressed, she made her way to Nashville, performing on the Porter Wagoner show and signing with Monument Records. Her breakthrough came with “Don’t Touch Me,” a heartfelt ballad penned by Hank Cochran, which earned her a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.

Seely’s marriage to Cochran in 1969 lasted until their divorce in 1979. Throughout her career, she shattered stereotypes, challenging expectations placed on female performers in country music, especially around the time she appeared at the Grand Ole Opry, which, at the time, had its own set of taboos.

In the 60s and 70s, she had several hits, including three top ten songs on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart: “Don’t Touch Me,” “I’ll Love You More (You Need),” and “Will I Sleep in Your Arms?”

Seely remained active in music, releasing albums and regularly featuring on various country programs. Her songs became staples, covered by many artists from Merle Haggard to Ray Price and even Little Jimmy Dickens.

She kept her connections to country music alive by hosting a weekly show, “Seely With Seely,” on Willie Nelson’s SiriusXM channel since 2018. That same year, she received an honor on the Music City Walk of Fame.

Having been part of the Grand Ole Opry since 1967, she performed there nearly 5,400 times. Grubbs mentioned that Saturday’s Grand Ole Opry Show will be dedicated to her memory.

Her latest song, a cover of Dottie West’s “Shouphertime,” was released in July 2024, recorded at the renowned RCA Studio B and performed at the Opry the previous year.