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.
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.
Decca 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.
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.
Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images
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.
Michael 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.
Shanecollinswiki, 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.
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.
Decca 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.
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.
Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images
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".
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.
Sarah 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Michael 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".
Michael 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.
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.
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.
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.
"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".
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.
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.
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.
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.
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".
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.
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.
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".
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.
Michael 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".
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.
