Dixie Chicks Band Founding Member Laura Lynch Dies In Car Crash, She Was 65

Laura Lynch, a founding member of the American country music band the Dixie Chicks, was killed in an automobile accident. She was 65 years old.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, she died on Friday after being engaged in a collision between two automobiles near El Paso.

The current members of the band responded to the news by saying they were “shocked and saddened” in an Instagram post.

“The time we spent playing music, laughing, and traveling together holds a special place in our hearts.”

Dixie Chicks Band Founding Member Laura Lynch Dies In Car Crash

“Laura was a bright light…her contagious energy and wit lit up the early days of our band.”

“Laura had a gift for design, a love of all things Texas, and she was instrumental in the band’s early success.”

“Her undeniable talents helped propel us beyond busking on street corners to stages all across Texas and the midwest,” the band wrote, adding that they were thinking of Laura’s “family and loved ones.”

In 1989, the band was formed as the Dixie Chicks in Dallas, Texas. Lynch, a bassist and later vocalist, Robin Lynn Macy (vocals and guitarist), and the multi-instrumentalist sisters Martie and Emily Erwin were the band’s co-founders.

The band busked and performed country and bluegrass music at various festivals and venues.

The Dixie Chicks released three albums before Lynch’s departure in 1995: Thank Heavens for Dale Evans, Little Ol’ Cowgirl, and Shouldn’t a Told You That.

However, the band’s financial triumph would arrive in 1998 with the release of their Wide Open Spaces album.

Dixie Chicks Band Founding Member Laura Lynch Dies In Car Crash

Three years ago, the band was renamed The Chicks. The decision to delete “Dixie” was made in response to complaints that the word had connections with American slavery.

Dixie Chicks member Laura Lynch was a founding member of the band and played an integral role in its early success. She contributed to the group’s signature harmonies and helped establish their distinctive sound.

Lynch’s departure from the band in 1995 marked a significant transition for the Dixie Chicks, leading to the addition of Natalie Maines and a shift in the group’s musical direction.

While Lynch’s time with the Dixie Chicks was relatively brief, her contributions played a foundational role in shaping the band’s trajectory and setting the stage for their future accomplishments.

Dixie Chicks Band Founding Member Laura Lynch Dies In Car Crash

The Dixie Chicks is a country music band that gained recognition for their outspoken views and their blend of bluegrass, country, and pop music. The band consists of three members: Natalie Maines, Martie Maguire, and Emily Strayer.

They rose to fame in the late 1990s with hit songs like “Wide Open Spaces” and “Goodbye Earl.” The Dixie Chicks faced controversy after criticizing the then president of the United States, which led to a significant backlash.

Despite this, they have maintained a successful music career and continued to release music that resonates with their fan base.

SOURCE – (BBC)