The icon that is Loretta Lynn
When you speak too many of the young and up and coming stars of country music (such as Danielle Peck) and ask them who influenced them the name Loretta Lynn will be spoken. She is considered a legend and an icon, as well as one of the leading country female stars in the 1960\’s and 1970\’s.
Most of us know that Loretta Lynn grew up as a Coal Miners Daughter. In fact, she was born in Butcher Hollow, Paintsville, Kentucky on April 14, 1935. Her parents were Melvin and Clara Webb. She was the second oldest of eight children, including a younger sister who is also a country music star (Crystal Gayle).
Not quite 14 years of age, Loretta married Oliver Vanetta Lynn (who is commonly known as Mooney). They promptly moved to Washington. By the time Loretta was 17, they had four children. At the young age of 29, Loretta was all ready a grandmother.
Like most performers, Loretta began her musical career by performing in clubs. Her big break came when she entered a performing contest in Tacoma, Washington. The contest was hosted by Buck Owens and was seen by Norm Burley who was founders of Zero Records. He arranged a recording session for Loretta in Hollywood where she recorded four of her songs: I\’M A HONKY TONK GIRL, WHISPERING SEA, HEARTACHE MEET MISTER BLUES and NEW RAINBOW.
On Feb. 1, 1960, Loretta Lynn signs her first recording deal with Zero Records. Also in 1960, Loretta made her first appearance on the stage of the Grand O\’le Opry.
In 1962, Loretta Lynn was signed with Decca Records. Her single SUCCESS rose to number six on the country music charts. This began her streak of top singles that stayed on the top ten spots for the rest of the 1960\’s and throughout the 1970\’s as well.
In 1966 Loretta\’s song YOU AIN\’T WOMAN ENOUGH was the first song that hit the charts from a feminist point of view. It took country music and music itself by storm. Soon her music became more personal and she began telling more about her own struggles as a woman and as a wife. (DON\’T COME HOME A DRINKIN, WITH LOVING ON YOUR MIND).
But her most controversial song may have been THE PILL which she released in 1974 and was about birth control.
Loretta Lynn will also always be remembered for the songs she recorded and the relationship she had with the legendary performer Conway Twitty. They began singing together in 1971, to their fans delight. From 1971-1975 they had five consecutive number 1 hits: AFTER THE FIRE IS GONE, LEAD ME ON, LOUISIANA WOMAN, MISSISSIPPI MAN, AS SOON AS I HANG UP THE PHONE and FEELING.
In 1976, Loretta Lynn, released an autobiographical book entitled: COAL MINER\’S DAUGHTER. The book quickly rose to number one on the New York\’s best sellers list. In 1980, the book was turned into a movie and Sissy Spacek starred as Loretta. (Sissy won an Academy Award for playing the role) The movie was a favorite among fans because they were able to learn more about the struggles that Loretta, the woman, the wife, and the singer faced throughout her life. It may have even caused the fans to love her more, if it was possible.