He Stopped Loving Her today!

Country singer George Jones passed away today at age 81. He had been hospitalized at the Vanderbilt Medical center a few days ago. He is perhaps best known for the song, "He Stopped Loving Her Today," for which he won a Grammy in 1980. I not a big fan of country music, but this a powerful song, especially if you've ever loved someone and lost them, but you didn't stop loving them. Mr. Jones was married four times, and perhaps the song was about someone that he loved and lost. He sang it with such feeling that I suspect this was the case. It is my prayer that he will find a peace and happiness in the next life that he never seemed to find in this one.

At times like this, a certain song comes to mind:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi3GgoLtlWk

It has a nice set up for the song, but if you're feeling impatient the music starts at around the 1:25 mark.

Goodgulf

RIP George. I remember his pet name and the song by the same title. No Show Jones. Yes, he was a great performer. Yes, who's gonna fill their shoes? I'm a more 'Classic Country' and 'Oldies' fan than a lot of today's country and rock music.

bendover
When I listen to country, I'd rather listen to someone like Johnny Cash or Patsy Cline, or maybe one of the early rockabilly stars like Carl Perkins.
He got the name No Show Jones because he missed a lot of performances. Most of this was probably due to his problem with alcoholism and cocaine addiction.

His addictions were beyond a "problem", they damn near killed him. Which is why it's shocking he made it to 81.

I remember him mostly for his duets, which (along with lots of other music of many types) it's fair to say I grew up to.

Just got back from a Leonard Cohen concert - he sang Choices in tribute to George Jones. Remarkable.

Did he sing 'Hallelujah,' or does he just leave that one to others?

Guy - he did sing it, the extended version. It is so much more clearly a religious song when he sings it. That's one of the things I find the most fascinating about his work, poetry too - it works on the literal level, but there are so many layers of depth to it. David is one of the great tragic figures of the Bible, and that's usually elided.

And damn, I want to be like Leonard Cohen when I'm 78.

I love country music; it tells stories about life, relationships, and to quote Merle Haggard, it also tells stories about mama, trains, prisons and rain. George Jones' "He Stopped Lovin Her Today" is actually the basis for a story I've been working on for some time. I don't need to know about all the problems Mr. Jones had in life; I just liked his music. He was one of the great ones and is already missed.
~Sar~

I'm more partial to "The race is on" era. Do you think he and Tammy have started fighting already? A fellow once told me that he had gone to see George and was disappointed he only played 45 minutes. I replied hell most nights he does'nt even show up.