Laura Lynch, the founding member and former lead vocalist of the country music band the Dixie Chicks, died in a car crash on Saturday, December 23, 2023. She was 65 years old.
Lynch was driving on Interstate 35 near Denton, Texas, when her vehicle collided with a semi-truck. She was pronounced dead at the scene, while the truck driver suffered minor injuries. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
Lynch was born on November 18, 1958, in Dallas, Texas. She started playing music at a young age, learning to play the guitar, bass, and piano. She joined the Dixie Chicks in 1989, along with sisters Martie and Emily Erwin, and Robin Lynn Macy. The band performed bluegrass and country music, touring the festival circuits and small venues for six years.
Lynch was the lead singer and bassist of the Dixie Chicks until 1995, when she decided to leave the band to spend more time with her daughter. She was replaced by Natalie Maines, who helped the band achieve mainstream success with their albums Wide Open Spaces, Fly, and Home. The Dixie Chicks later changed their name to The Chicks in 2020, citing negative connotations of the word “Dixie”.
Lynch remained active in the music industry after leaving the Dixie Chicks, releasing solo albums and collaborating with other artists. She also founded a music production company, Lynch Mob Productions, and a record label, Laura Lynch Music. She was known for her warm and powerful voice, as well as her songwriting skills and sense of humor.
Lynch is survived by her daughter, Jessica, and her grandson, Tyler. She will be remembered as a pioneer of country music and a beloved member of the Dixie Chicks. Her fans and fellow musicians have expressed their condolences and tributes on social media, calling her a legend and an inspiration.
