Dixie Chicks Laura Lynch has died aged 65 after being killed in a car crash in Texas.
The iconic band member, who was one of the founding stars, was killed on Friday outside of El Paso in Texas in a head-on collision.
Her cousin Mick Lynch confirmed the news to TMZ, and law enforcement has said she was heading east on Highway 62 from El Paso to Dell City when she was caught in the crash.
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Another car heading west was said to be trying to pass another car in front of it in a two-way portion of the highway.
The car tried to go around Laura’s car but tragically hit her, and the singer was declared dead at the scene, while the other driver was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
In a statement, The Chicks wrote: “We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Laura Lynch, a founding member of The Chicks.
“We hold a special place in our hearts for the time we spent playing music, laughing and traveling together. Laura was a bright light…her infectious energy and humour gave a spark to the early days of our band.
“Laura had a gift for design, a love of all things Texas and was instrumental in the early success of the band.
(Image: https://texasarchive.org)
“Her undeniable talents helped propel us beyond busking on street corners to stages all across Texas and the mid-West.
“Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones at this sad time. – Emily, Martie & Natalie.”
Lynch played upright bass for the original line-up, made of her, Martie Maguire, Emily Strayer, and Robin Lynn Macy, in 1989, but moved to lead vocals before she left the band in 1995.
During their career, they released Thank Heavens for Dale Evans in 1990 and Little Ol’ Cowgirl in 1992, before their final album Shouldn’t a Told You That in 1993.
(Image: youtube/@Kansas City Oasis)
However, the group went on to achieve success in the late 1990s, with albums Wide Open Spaces and Fly both performing well after Lynch left, and they eventually sold 33 million records.
The group went on to win 13 Grammys, including an impressive five for Taking the Long Way in 2007, and in 2020, they were named the best-selling all-woman band and best-selling country group in the US from 1991 onwards.
The current line-up of the group changed their name to The Chicks in 2020 after racial justice protests following George Floyd’s death.
Laura is survived by partner Mac Tull and a daughter.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
