Laura Lynch, founding member of the Chicks, dies at 65

Laura Lynch, a founding member of the musical group that would become famous as the Dixie Chicks, died in a car crash in West Texas. She was 65 years old.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Lynch was involved in a head-on crash in El Paso on Friday.

Now I know as Chicks, The group published news They shared Lynch’s death on Instagram.

“We were shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Laura Lynch, a founding member of The Chicks,” the band said in a statement. “The time we spent together making music, laughing and traveling has a special place in our hearts. Laura was a bright light…her infectious energy and humor sparked the early days of our group. Laura had a talent for design, loved all things Texas, and was instrumental in the band’s initial success. “His undeniable talents have helped take us beyond busking on street corners to stages all over Texas and the Midwest.”

Lynch played upright bass and sang lead vocals in the band’s first iteration, which consisted of Robin Lynn Macy, Martie Erwin, and Emily Erwin.

The band’s traditional bluegrass sound gave way to the pop country sound that would make the band international stars after Lynch left the band and was replaced by Natalie Maines.

Lynch recorded three albums with the band; 1990’s “Thank Heavens for Dale Evans,” 1992’s “Little Ol’ Cowgirl” and 1993’s “Shouldn’t a Told You That.” They achieved success with the release of the 1998 album “Wide Open Spaces”, which featured Maines joining the band and earned them two Grammy Awards. (The group has now won 13 Grammys.)

In 2003, the band attracted controversy over comments Maines made during a concert about then-President George W. Bush, which led to a boycott by country radio.

In 2020, the group changed its name from Dixie Chicks to Chicks.