Country Legend Porter Wagoner Dies at 80 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 10-29-2007, 12:23 AM

Link

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Porter Wagoner, the rhinestone-clad Grand Ole Opry star who helped launch the career of Dolly Parton by hiring her as his duet partner, died Sunday. He was 80.

Wagoner, who had survived an abdominal aneurysm in 2006, was hospitalized again this month and his publicist disclosed he had lung cancer. He died at 8:25 p.m. CDT in a Nashville hospice, a spokeswoman for the Grand Ole Opry said.

"The Grand Ole Opry family is deeply saddened by the news of the passing of our dear friend, Porter Wagoner," said Pete Fisher, vice president and general manager of the Opry. "His passion for the Opry and all of country music was truly immeasurable. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this difficult time."

His illness came after a comeback that saw him recording again and gaining new fans even as he reached his 80s.

In May 2007 he celebrated his 50th year in the Opry. After years without a recording contract, he also signed with ANTI- records, an eclectic Los Angeles label best known for alt-rock acts like Tom Waits, Nick Cave and Neko Case.

The CD "Wagonmaster," produced with Marty Stuart, was released in June 2007 and earned Wagoner some of the best reviews of his career. Over the summer, he also was the opening act for the influential rock duo White Stripes at a sold-out show at New York's Madison Square Garden.

"I was thinking while on stage last night, 'This is the biggest, most well-known arena in the country, and here I am performing at it,'" he told The Associated Press at the time.

The Missouri-born Wagoner signed with RCA Records in 1955 and joined the Opry in 1957. "It's the greatest place in the world to have a career in country music," he said in 1997.

His showmanship, rhinestone suits and pompadoured hair made him famous, with his own syndicated TV show, "The Porter Wagoner Show," for 21 years beginning in 1960. It was one of the first syndicated shows to come out of Nashville, and it set a pattern for many others.

"Some shows are mechanical, but ours was not polished and slick," he said in 1982.

Among his hits, many of which he wrote or co-wrote, were "Carroll County Accident," "A Satisfied Mind," "Company's Comin'," "Skid Row Joe," "Misery Loves Company" and "Green Green Grass of Home."

The songs often told stories of tragedy or despair. In "Carroll County Accident," a married man having an affair is killed in a car crash; "Skid Row Joe" deals with a once-famous singer who's lost everything.

In 2002, Wagoner was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

To many music fans, though, he was best known as the man who boosted Parton's career. He had hired the 21-year-old singer as his duet partner in 1967, when she was just beginning to gain notice through songs such as "Dumb Blonde."

They were the Country Music Association's duo of the year in 1970 and 1971, recording hit duets including "The Last Thing on My Mind."

Parton's solo country records, such as her autobiographical "Coat of Many Colors," also began climbing the charts in the early 1970s. She wrote the pop standard "I Will Always Love You" in 1973 after Wagoner suggested she shift from story songs to focus on love songs.

The two quit singing duets in 1974 and she went on to wide stardom with pop hits and movies such as "9 to 5," whose theme song was also a hit for her. Wagoner sued her for $3 million in assets, but they settled out of court in 1980. He said later they were always friendly, "but it's a fact that when you're involved with attorneys and companies that have them on retainer, it makes a different story."

At a charity roast for Wagoner in 1995, she explained the breakup this way: "We split over creative differences. I was creative, and Porter was different."

He said in a 1982 Associated Press interview that his show "was a training ground for her; she learned a great deal and I exposed her to very important people and the country music fans."

She was present at the ceremony in May 2007 honoring Wagoner on his silver anniversary with the Opry. At the time, he called Parton "one of my best friends today." She also visited him in the hospital as he battled cancer.

Wagoner was born in West Plains, Mo., and became known as "The Thin Man From West Plains" because of his lanky frame. He recalled that he spent hours as a child pretending to be an Opry performer, using a tree stump as a stage.

He started in radio, then became a regular on the "Ozark Jubilee," one of the first televised national country music shows. On the Opry since 1957, he joined Roy Acuff and other onetime idols.

At one point his wardrobe included more than 60 handmade rhinestone suits.

"Rhinestone suits are just beautiful under the lights," he said. "They've become a big part of my career. I get more compliments on my outfits than any other entertainer — except for Liberace."

While he continued with the Opry, and even had a small part in the 1982 movie "Honky Tonk Man" starring Clint Eastwood, his recording career dried up in the 1980s.

"I stopped making records because I didn't like the way they were wanting me to record," he said. "When RCA dropped me from the label, I didn't really care about making records for another label because I didn't have any say in what they would release and how they would make the records and so forth."

After his New York show in 2007, tears came to his eyes as he recalled the reaction.

"The young people I met backstage, some of them were 20 years old. They wanted to get my autograph and tell me they really liked me. If only they knew how that made me feel, like a new breath of fresh air. To have new fans now is a tremendous thing."

snl 70s show fan · 10-29-2007, 02:19 AM

he was one of the all time greats of country music and also one of the best all around entertainers period he loved his audiences as much as they loved him i myself used to watch his tv show as a kid and in later years always looked forward to seeing and hearing him on the opry r i p porter you will be missed

Dean Winchester · 10-29-2007, 02:21 AM

how sad. Him and Dolly did some great music together

HuntingtonM15 · 10-29-2007, 02:43 AM

Sad news. A true legend, and someone who gave a lot of good advice to female country artists.

catlover79 · 10-29-2007, 08:49 AM

to one of the greats - a true legend. Does everyone know Dolly wrote "I Will Always Love You" for him?

GoldenGirlsFan92 · 10-29-2007, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

to one of the greats - a true legend. Does everyone know Dolly wrote "I Will Always Love You" for him?

I knew that she wrote for him. I'm a Big Dolly fan, and Porter is Wonderful too. It's sad to hear that he died. He had great music. R.I.P. Porter.

Chelsea · 10-29-2007, 02:21 PM

We have a channel called RFD-TV, and from time to time they dust off reruns of the Porter Wagoner show. It's an...interesting...show to watch. I'm not a huge country music fan, but it's certainly interesting TV nonetheless.

Porter you will be missed.

Zoneboy · 10-30-2007, 01:19 AM

Link

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Dolly Parton said Monday she feels like a part of her died along with her old duet partner, Porter Wagoner. But she said she was grateful that she was able to spend a few final hours with the man who launched her career before he succumbed to cancer Sunday.

"Part of him will always live through me and my music as he was my first big break," Parton said.

The 80-year-old Grand Ole Opry star and showman died of lung cancer Sunday in a Nashville hospice, after being transferred there Friday from a hospital.

Parton said she was there with his family, sang for him and prayed with him.

"It felt good that I had the opportunity to say goodbye properly," Parton said.

Wagoner had a streak of hits in the 1960s and '70s, and enjoyed a comeback in recent months with a new album.

To many longtime fans, though, he may be best remembered for his sparkly rhinestone suits and for singing with Parton on his TV show from 1967 to 1974.

Marty Stuart, who produced Wagoner's last album, the critically acclaimed "Wagonmaster," said he grew up watching his TV show and they later became close friends.

Stuart was one of the musicians who backed Wagoner this summer when he opened for the influential rock group the White Stripes at Madison Square Garden, a show that underscored the aging singer's newfound popularity with a fresh wave of young fans.

"He was a masterful showman who understood the art of the final act," Stuart said. "He left the world on top."

Stuart said Wagoner had been invited to light the nation's Christmas tree at the Pageant of Peace celebration in Washington, D.C., next month.

"One of the last things he said to me was, 'You're gonna have to call the president and tell him I won't be able to sing him any Christmas songs this year. Maybe next year,'" Stuart recalled.

Country music singer Patty Loveless said Wagoner was a mentor to her in her early years and became like family to her.

"He encouraged me and helped me to fulfill my dreams and was truly an inspiration," Loveless said. "I love him and I miss him already."

The Grand Ole Opry announced Monday that funeral arrangements would be open to the public. Visitation will be Wednesday aat a local funeral home, with a funeral on Thursday at the Grand Ole Opry House.

ponytail · 10-30-2007, 06:50 AM

Porter was a true entertainer. I remember watching his show as a kid. I loved his suits.

tv star collector · 10-30-2007, 07:12 AM

I remember watching his TV show back in the seventies. Glad that he had a
long life and a long career. R.I.P.

bingbangbaby · 10-30-2007, 07:50 PM

I just saw him at the Grand Ole Opry a month ago. He looked and sounded great (and he was wearing a sparkly suit!) Isn't it great that he got to do what he loved to do right up to the time of his death? I hope everyone can be so lucky. I'm glad I got to see him perform; he'll be missed.

10-29-2007, 12:23 AM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,439	Country Legend Porter Wagoner Dies at 80 Link NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Porter Wagoner, the rhinestone-clad Grand Ole Opry star who helped launch the career of Dolly Parton by hiring her as his duet partner, died Sunday. He was 80. Wagoner, who had survived an abdominal aneurysm in 2006, was hospitalized again this month and his publicist disclosed he had lung cancer. He died at 8:25 p.m. CDT in a Nashville hospice, a spokeswoman for the Grand Ole Opry said. "The Grand Ole Opry family is deeply saddened by the news of the passing of our dear friend, Porter Wagoner," said Pete Fisher, vice president and general manager of the Opry. "His passion for the Opry and all of country music was truly immeasurable. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this difficult time." His illness came after a comeback that saw him recording again and gaining new fans even as he reached his 80s. In May 2007 he celebrated his 50th year in the Opry. After years without a recording contract, he also signed with ANTI- records, an eclectic Los Angeles label best known for alt-rock acts like Tom Waits, Nick Cave and Neko Case. The CD "Wagonmaster," produced with Marty Stuart, was released in June 2007 and earned Wagoner some of the best reviews of his career. Over the summer, he also was the opening act for the influential rock duo White Stripes at a sold-out show at New York's Madison Square Garden. "I was thinking while on stage last night, 'This is the biggest, most well-known arena in the country, and here I am performing at it,'" he told The Associated Press at the time. The Missouri-born Wagoner signed with RCA Records in 1955 and joined the Opry in 1957. "It's the greatest place in the world to have a career in country music," he said in 1997. His showmanship, rhinestone suits and pompadoured hair made him famous, with his own syndicated TV show, "The Porter Wagoner Show," for 21 years beginning in 1960. It was one of the first syndicated shows to come out of Nashville, and it set a pattern for many others. "Some shows are mechanical, but ours was not polished and slick," he said in 1982. Among his hits, many of which he wrote or co-wrote, were "Carroll County Accident," "A Satisfied Mind," "Company's Comin'," "Skid Row Joe," "Misery Loves Company" and "Green Green Grass of Home." The songs often told stories of tragedy or despair. In "Carroll County Accident," a married man having an affair is killed in a car crash; "Skid Row Joe" deals with a once-famous singer who's lost everything. In 2002, Wagoner was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame. To many music fans, though, he was best known as the man who boosted Parton's career. He had hired the 21-year-old singer as his duet partner in 1967, when she was just beginning to gain notice through songs such as "Dumb Blonde." They were the Country Music Association's duo of the year in 1970 and 1971, recording hit duets including "The Last Thing on My Mind." Parton's solo country records, such as her autobiographical "Coat of Many Colors," also began climbing the charts in the early 1970s. She wrote the pop standard "I Will Always Love You" in 1973 after Wagoner suggested she shift from story songs to focus on love songs. The two quit singing duets in 1974 and she went on to wide stardom with pop hits and movies such as "9 to 5," whose theme song was also a hit for her. Wagoner sued her for $3 million in assets, but they settled out of court in 1980. He said later they were always friendly, "but it's a fact that when you're involved with attorneys and companies that have them on retainer, it makes a different story." At a charity roast for Wagoner in 1995, she explained the breakup this way: "We split over creative differences. I was creative, and Porter was different." He said in a 1982 Associated Press interview that his show "was a training ground for her; she learned a great deal and I exposed her to very important people and the country music fans." She was present at the ceremony in May 2007 honoring Wagoner on his silver anniversary with the Opry. At the time, he called Parton "one of my best friends today." She also visited him in the hospital as he battled cancer. Wagoner was born in West Plains, Mo., and became known as "The Thin Man From West Plains" because of his lanky frame. He recalled that he spent hours as a child pretending to be an Opry performer, using a tree stump as a stage. He started in radio, then became a regular on the "Ozark Jubilee," one of the first televised national country music shows. On the Opry since 1957, he joined Roy Acuff and other onetime idols. At one point his wardrobe included more than 60 handmade rhinestone suits. "Rhinestone suits are just beautiful under the lights," he said. "They've become a big part of my career. I get more compliments on my outfits than any other entertainer — except for Liberace." While he continued with the Opry, and even had a small part in the 1982 movie "Honky Tonk Man" starring Clint Eastwood, his recording career dried up in the 1980s. "I stopped making records because I didn't like the way they were wanting me to record," he said. "When RCA dropped me from the label, I didn't really care about making records for another label because I didn't have any say in what they would release and how they would make the records and so forth." After his New York show in 2007, tears came to his eyes as he recalled the reaction. "The young people I met backstage, some of them were 20 years old. They wanted to get my autograph and tell me they really liked me. If only they knew how that made me feel, like a new breath of fresh air. To have new fans now is a tremendous thing."
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

10-29-2007, 08:49 AM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	to one of the greats - a true legend. Does everyone know Dolly wrote "I Will Always Love You" for him?
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

10-29-2007, 02:21 PM	#7
Chelsea Semi-retired Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Washington Posts: 5,727	We have a channel called RFD-TV, and from time to time they dust off reruns of the Porter Wagoner show. It's an...interesting...show to watch. I'm not a huge country music fan, but it's certainly interesting TV nonetheless. Porter you will be missed.
	__________________ Chelsea Former Administrator, 2005-2012 Former Member, DVD Review Team, 2004-2010.

10-30-2007, 01:19 AM	#8
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,439	Parton Sang for Wagoner In His Final Hours Link NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Dolly Parton said Monday she feels like a part of her died along with her old duet partner, Porter Wagoner. But she said she was grateful that she was able to spend a few final hours with the man who launched her career before he succumbed to cancer Sunday. "Part of him will always live through me and my music as he was my first big break," Parton said. The 80-year-old Grand Ole Opry star and showman died of lung cancer Sunday in a Nashville hospice, after being transferred there Friday from a hospital. Parton said she was there with his family, sang for him and prayed with him. "It felt good that I had the opportunity to say goodbye properly," Parton said. Wagoner had a streak of hits in the 1960s and '70s, and enjoyed a comeback in recent months with a new album. To many longtime fans, though, he may be best remembered for his sparkly rhinestone suits and for singing with Parton on his TV show from 1967 to 1974. Marty Stuart, who produced Wagoner's last album, the critically acclaimed "Wagonmaster," said he grew up watching his TV show and they later became close friends. Stuart was one of the musicians who backed Wagoner this summer when he opened for the influential rock group the White Stripes at Madison Square Garden, a show that underscored the aging singer's newfound popularity with a fresh wave of young fans. "He was a masterful showman who understood the art of the final act," Stuart said. "He left the world on top." Stuart said Wagoner had been invited to light the nation's Christmas tree at the Pageant of Peace celebration in Washington, D.C., next month. "One of the last things he said to me was, 'You're gonna have to call the president and tell him I won't be able to sing him any Christmas songs this year. Maybe next year,'" Stuart recalled. Country music singer Patty Loveless said Wagoner was a mentor to her in her early years and became like family to her. "He encouraged me and helped me to fulfill my dreams and was truly an inspiration," Loveless said. "I love him and I miss him already." The Grand Ole Opry announced Monday that funeral arrangements would be open to the public. Visitation will be Wednesday aat a local funeral home, with a funeral on Thursday at the Grand Ole Opry House.

10-29-2007, 02:19 AM	#2
snl 70s show fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 14, 2005 Location: in the forman basment Posts: 2,454	he was one of the all time greats of country music and also one of the best all around entertainers period he loved his audiences as much as they loved him i myself used to watch his tv show as a kid and in later years always looked forward to seeing and hearing him on the opry r i p porter you will be missed

10-29-2007, 02:21 AM	#3
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	how sad. Him and Dolly did some great music together

10-29-2007, 02:43 AM	#4
HuntingtonM15 That Bothers Me Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jun 20, 2003 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 11,060	Sad news. A true legend, and someone who gave a lot of good advice to female country artists.

10-30-2007, 06:50 AM	#9
ponytail Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 20, 2004 Location: In Happy, Healthy, Wealthyville Posts: 4,273	Porter was a true entertainer. I remember watching his show as a kid. I loved his suits.

10-30-2007, 07:12 AM	#10
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,487	I remember watching his TV show back in the seventies. Glad that he had a long life and a long career. R.I.P.

10-30-2007, 07:50 PM	#11
bingbangbaby I see you!! Senior Member Join Date: Jul 15, 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,070	I just saw him at the Grand Ole Opry a month ago. He looked and sounded great (and he was wearing a sparkly suit!) Isn't it great that he got to do what he loved to do right up to the time of his death? I hope everyone can be so lucky. I'm glad I got to see him perform; he'll be missed.