Mel Tillis dead at 85

[GradyPhilpott]

Country Music Hall of Famer, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and Grand Ole Opry member Mel Tillis died early Sunday morning at the Munroe Regional Medical Center in Ocala, Florida, according to his publicist Don Murry Grubbs.

Tillis had been ill for some time. In January 2016 he underwent surgery after a serious bout of diverticulitis. He battled sepsis and spent the better part of a month in the intensive care unit. According to Grubbs, he never fully recovered. The suspected cause of death is respiratory failure.

Daughter and country singer-songwriter Pam Tillis' Facebook page posted that her father's death was sudden and unexpected....

"Mel Tillis was a guy who had it all: He could write, he could sing and he could entertain an audience," said Grand Ole Opry announcer and WSM DJ Eddie Stubbs. "There’s a big difference between a concert and a show. Mel Tillis always put on a show....You always felt good about being around him."

http://www.tennessean.com/story/ente...mer/852933001/

[dddrees]

Rip

[Magwitch]

RIP. Classic country FAR superior to what they are recording now.

[rolex75216]

RIP, one of the great contributors to Country music. His legacy will be remember for a very very long time! Thanks for everything you did for all of us Sir!

[Valenciawatchrepair]

Originally Posted by Magwitch

RIP. Classic country FAR superior to what they are recording now.

I'm 34, and even I think "country" music today is so ridiculous. Any time the car radio flips to one I'm like, "Is this really COUNTRY music?"