Bluegrass Legend Ralph Stanley Dead at 89
The legendary Ralph Stanley has died at the age of 89, his son and band leader confirms.
One of the purest and mournful voices to ever proclaim the music of his mountain youth has passed into eternal peace with the passing of Dr. Ralph Stanley today at the age of 89. His death was reported first on the Facebook page of his son – and band leader, Nathan Stanley.
The post read, “My heart is broken into pieces. My papaw, my dad, and the greatest man in the world, Dr. Ralph Stanley has went home to be with Jesus just a few minutes ago. He went peacefully in his sleep due to a long, horrible battle with Skin Cancer. I feel so lost and so alone right now. He was my world, and he was my everything. He was always there for me no matter what. I just cannot get a grip on this. My Papaw was loved by millions of fans from all around the world, and he loved all of you. If he was singing snd on sage, he was happy. That’s why I did so much to make it possible for him to travel in the last two years. Because he wanted to. Please keep me and my family in your prayers. This is the hardest thing I have ever had to face in my life. The only thing that gives me peace, is knowing he is in paradise and I’ll see my best friend again. I love you papaw with all of my heart. As long as I live and breathe, your legacy will never die. You will forever be in my heart.”
Stanley was born in Coeburn, Virginia and was part of the famed “Stanley Brothers” and the “Clinch Mountain Boys.”
Stanley was born February 25, 1927 in McClure, Virginia. Music was a huge part of his life from the beginning, with songs such as “Man Of Constant Sorrow” and “Pretty Polly” – tunes which he himself would etch into the Americana songbook – both being family favorites. That family included older brother Carter, whom he began playing with early in life. Their music was inspired by the sounds of the hills, particularly that of The Carter Family. They became local radio stars on stations in Newton and Bristol, VA.
Word of their talent (including Ralph’s legendary banjo style) led them to being signed by King Records, where they recorded such chestnuts as “Think Of What You’ve Done,” “Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem,” and “Rank Stranger.” Carter’s death on December 1, 1966 meant the end of the duo, but Ralph continued, initially with Larry Sparks, Roy Lee Centers, and Charlie Sizemore by his side in the Clinch Mountain Boys. In the early 1970s, that lineup would go on to include a pair of Kentucky-bred male vocalists destined for contemporary Country stardom – Ricky Skaggs and Keith Whitley.
Stanley and his music received a huge jolt of interest from the 2000 film O Brother Where Art Thou? The singer – well into his 70s – won a Grammy Award for his recording of the staple “O Death,” besting major hit records by artists such as Tim McGraw. Dr. Stanley (with the “Dr.” stemming from his honorary Doctorate of Music from Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee in 1976) continued to record and tour through the years, becoming a Grand Ole Opry member in 2000. He was featured on the Billboard Country Singles chart in 2008 as a result of his collaboration with Josh Turner on “Me and God,” which peaked at No. 16, and even crossed over to No. 98 on the Hot 100. His final album was the 2015 Cracker Barrel exclusive Ralph Stanley & Friends: Man of Constant Sorrow. It hit No. 14 on the Billboard Country Albums chart.
