Lynn Anderson R.I.P.
Lynn Anderson, one of the most prolific country hitmakers of the first half of the 1970s, forever associated with her most famous song ‘Rose Garden,’ died on Thursday evening (July 30) in Nashville at the age of 67. She is thought to have suffered a heart attack after being hospitalised for pneumonia following a trip to Italy.
‘Rose Garden’ was written by Joe South, himself the artist behind such hits as ‘Games People Play’ and ‘Hush.’ Anderson’s version hit No. 1 on the US country chart and No. 3 pop in 1970 and became a major international success, especially in Europe, at a time when most country hits didn’t cross over to the continent. It reached No. 3 in the UK and topped the charts in Scandinavia, also hitting No. 1 in Australia.
But ‘Rose Garden’ was only one in a huge catalogue of hits for Anderson, who was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota and raised in Sacramento, California. “I was raised on Jerry Lee Lewis and Conway Twitty and the Everlys and Elvis Presley,” she told the NME in 1971 “and I never changed my taste at all, it’s just the image that’s changed.”
She was the daughter of Liz Anderson, whose own run of country hits started the same year that Lynn’s did. In April 1966, Liz hit the chart with ‘Go Now Pay Later,’ and six months later, Lynn did the same with ‘Ride, Ride, Ride.’
Lynn’s first big hit was the 1967 top five country entry ‘If I Kiss You (Will You Go Away), and she went on to amass a remarkable 60 appearances on that chart until 1989. That list included 18 top ten hits, of which four others were also No. 1s: ‘You’re My Man’ and ’How Can I Unlove You’ in 1971, ‘Keep Me In Mind’ in ’73 and ‘What A Man, My Man Is’ in ’74. Her last top ten hit was a 1983 duet with Gary Morris, ‘You’re Welcome To Tonight.’
Lynn was a regular on Lawrence Welk’s TV show from 1968 and also acted, starring in the film ‘California Gold’ and episodes of ‘Starsky and Hutch.’ The success of ‘Rose Garden’ helped her to win the Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance in 1971, when she also took the CMA Award for Female Vocalist of the Year. Anderson was also a notable equestrian, winning the Californian Horse Show Queen title as a teenager in 1966 and eight world championships.
UK English
Donna Joyce
August 1, 2015 at 9:35 am
R.i.p Lynn rose garden was one of many songs I enjoyed growing up
Charles G. Emery
August 1, 2015 at 9:39 am
One of the Greats has left us!!!
Holley Wilkins
August 1, 2015 at 9:40 am
Bunny,it’s been a few years since we were in the hospital. Still think of you and hope you are well and happy.so sorry to hear about your mom. She was a Heck of a woman. Love and best wishes always holley
Shannon box
August 1, 2015 at 12:50 pm
I loved her music especially , Rose Garden she will be missed
Barbara Cycholl
August 1, 2015 at 2:24 pm
my sympathy to her family friends and fans. May God grant everyone comfort peace and love thank God for his grace to face the lose of Lynn Anderson. Rest in peace
Benji Carreon
August 1, 2015 at 3:19 pm
I enjoy all her songs….rose garden was the song of my teenage years.
rick murphy
August 1, 2015 at 6:00 pm
rip Lynn Anderson, you will be missed by all.
gary young
August 1, 2015 at 7:17 pm
what a shame a fantastic singer I love all her songs she will be missed
Thomas Stuker
August 1, 2015 at 7:39 pm
A fantastic singer.R.i.p Lynn, from Sweden.
Pete gilliatt
August 1, 2015 at 8:40 pm
Brilliant but sad loss brings back lots of memories listening to rose garden
Cathy
August 1, 2015 at 10:11 pm
We are losing all the greats of country music!! Absolutely loved Lynn Anderson! RIP Ms Anderson!
You will be missed!! Condolences to her family and friends!
Thomas Heigel
August 1, 2015 at 10:52 pm
Ruhe in Frieden R.I.P.
Ich werde Dich nie
vergessen Dich und
Deine Tolle Musik !
daphne ragg
August 2, 2015 at 12:32 am
she had a lovely voice, and she will be missed r.i p
Ethel rushford
August 2, 2015 at 3:34 am
I just saw her a little while ago on RFD ,family reunion,see look real nice. .im going to miss her singing .i love her song Rose Garder , MY prayers go out to her family ,so sorry we just lost another great singer .
Le
August 2, 2015 at 7:21 am
A sad loss to country music R.I.P. Lynn Anderson.
colleen
August 2, 2015 at 8:59 pm
R. I. P. lYNN ANDERSON, you will be missed by many fans, and I am one of your greatest !!!
Starr Ann
August 13, 2015 at 9:46 am
so sad to see of your passing Lynn. May god rest your soul. you gave me so much enjoyment listening and signing along with your music. your music will live on in memory of you. you surely will b missed. sure hope there’s a country heaven. God bless you. Sending my deepest sympathies to your family. May your fond memories help you through this difficult time.