Tragedy struck the country music scene this past weekend as Laura Lynch, a founding member of the band formerly known as the Dixie Chicks and currently The Chicks, perished in a car crash near El Paso, Texas, confirmed by her cousin Michael Lynch. The 65-year-old musician, known for her foray into the music industry as an upright bass player, met her untimely demise in a two-vehicle collision on Friday evening, details of the incident remain scarce, according to CBS News.
Lynch who founded the band that would later capture the hearts of country music lovers with her bandmates in 1989, left the group before their meteoric rise to fame in the late 90s. Her legacy continued through the efforts of sisters Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer and later addition Natalie Maines, the trio that would ascend to stardom. In her earlier years with the band, she had expressed hope that "female harmony" would stage a major return to the spotlight in a 1992 interview with Entertainment Tonight, officiated by director Jim Ruddy.
The recent name change of the band to The Chicks, which came about as a reflection on the nation's grappling with racial injustice and the tainted legacy of "Dixie" linked to the slavery era, was yet another reminder of Lynch's lasting influence. A sentiment echoed by the band in an Instagram post where current members said, "We are shocked and saddened," adding, "Laura was a bright light...her infectious energy and humor gave a spark to the early days of our band", as per BBC.
The Chicks' tribute to their founding member continued with high praises for her talents and her deep-seated love for Texas undeniable talents that helped the band move from casual performances like busking on street corners to commanding stages across Texas and the mid-West. The statement was signed off by the remaining members, who also extended their deepest sympathies to Lynch’s "family and loved ones." Laura's part in setting the stage for the band's subsequent success, including hits from their 'Wide Open Spaces' album, remains an indelible part of country music history, per BBC.
