Obit: Skeeter Davis

Subject: Obit: Skeeter Davis
From: Once Famous
Date: 21 Sep 04 - 04:19 PM

Long Time Opry star Skeeter Davis passed away. Here is an obit from the 9/21 Chicago Sun Times:


Skeeter Davis of pop and Opry fame dies at 72

September 21, 2004



NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Skeeter Davis, who hit the top of the pop charts with ''The End of the World'' in 1963 and sang on the Grand Ole Opry radio show for more than 40 years, died Sunday of cancer. She was 72.

A spokeswoman said Ms. Davis died at a Nashville hospice. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1988; it recurred in 1996.

Ms. Davis, nicknamed Skeeter by her grandfather, who said she buzzed around like a mosquito, had toured with Elvis Presley and the Rolling Stones. She became a regular on the Opry, a live radio show, in 1959, and continued to perform as late as this year.

Besides ''The End of the World,'' her hits included ''I'm Saving My Love'' and ''I Can't Stay Mad at You.''

A native of Dry Ridge, Ky., Ms. Davis was born Mary Frances Penick. She took the name Davis in the 1950s when she became half of the Davis Sisters duet. She began a solo career after her duet partner, Betty Jack Davis, died in a 1953 car wreck.

Her autobiography, Bus Fare to Kentucky, was published in 1993. AP

Subject: RE: Obit: Skeeter Davis
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Sep 04 - 06:31 PM

I am really sorry to hear this. Her "End of the World" evokes such memories and emotions for me...it was one of my very, very favourites. Still is.

Rest Well, Ms. Davis,

kat

Subject: RE: Obit: Skeeter Davis
From: Leadfingers
Date: 21 Sep 04 - 08:30 PM

Another Good One Gone - Seventy Two is not a bad score though , two up on the biblical bit !

Subject: RE: Obit: Skeeter Davis
From: Terry K
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 02:35 AM

Aw shit.
Funnily enough, her Best Of CD is on my desk as I sit here because I wrote out the chords and words for End of the World for my guitar session group only a month or so ago.
And I notice that End of the World is being used on a TV commercial at present. Great singer, she also did a superb album with Bobby Bare. She will be sadly missed.

Terry

Subject: RE: Obit: Skeeter Davis
From: fat B****rd
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 03:26 AM

"End of the World" was a smooch time favourite at The Mecca , Grimsby in my besuited youth. RIP Skeeter.

Subject: RE: Obit: Skeeter Davis
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 04:04 AM

One of the great "corny but catchy" songs, I still render it ("rend" :vt = to tear apart, destroy)in the shower, complete with sobs and spoken section.

RtS
(sad old git)

Subject: RE: Obit: Skeeter Davis
From: Gern
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 10:20 AM

Other fine tunes from the Davis Sisters/Skeeter Davis include "Our Last Date," "I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know About Him" and "I'm a Lover, Not a Fighter." Definitely a 'blue Kentucky girl,' and a genuine loss to us all.

Subject: RE: Obit: Skeeter Davis
From: Once Famous
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 12:21 PM

The aforementioned "I forgot More Than You'll ever Know About Him" sends a shiver down my back. Early Nashville totally cool stuff.

Subject: RE: Obit: Skeeter Davis
From: Nerd
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 01:17 PM

Sad to hear this. Thanks for posting, MG.

Subject: RE: Obit: Skeeter Davis
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 07:29 PM

was it Skeeter Davis who did that song sick of playing second fiddle to that old guitar?

Sad to hear she's gone.

I remember that I've forgotten more song from Dylan's self portrait album.