Country singer Porter Wagoner dies

[waltky]

October 30, 2007 - US country singer Porter Wagoner, lanky Grand Ole Opry star whose flashy Nudie rhinestone suits dazzled fans when he sang with rising new performer Dolly Parton in the 60s, died from lung cancer, said his publicity agent, Darlene Bieber. He was 80.

Bieber said the singer died in an Alive Hospice facility in Nashville. He had been in hospital for several days. Wagoner, an Opry star since 1957 and a Grammy winner, was a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and won three Country Music Association awards for songs with Parton in the Vocal Duo and Vocal Group categories.

The two recorded 14 Top 10 hits including Last Thing on My Mind and Please Don't Stop Loving Me. Wagoner's solo hits included Company's Comin’ and the Green Green Grass of Home as well as Carroll County Accident.

A lawsuit filed by Wagoner claiming Parton owed him money after the duo broke up in 1974 was settled out of court. Wagoner, who sported a pompadour until he changed his hairstyle to curls, annoyed some Opry performers when he invited Soul Music King James Brown to perform on a stage not regularly graced by black performers.

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