British Columbia is a long way from the Appalachian coal fields, but the role that a south Vancouver chicken coop played in the rise of country music legend Loretta Lynn is being recalled after her death at the age of 90.
The neighbourhood鈥檚 connection to Lynn is described in a Vancouver Heritage Foundation plaque that marks the former site of a poultry barn on the banks of the Fraser River that also served as a music hall.
The foundation said Lynn was discovered by Canadian producers Don Grashey and Chuck Williams when she performed at the chicken coop in 1959, and their Zero Records label produced her first hit, 鈥淚鈥檓 a Honky Tonk Girl.鈥�
B.C. writer Rob Howatson, who spent years researching Lynn鈥檚 connection to Vancouver, said he interviewed her in 2012 and she recalled her performance at the chicken coop.
鈥淭hat was the main piece of information we were able to get from her when I spoke to her,鈥� said Howatson.
He said Lynn was 鈥渟o polite, down to earth and without guile that she was a pleasure to talk to.鈥�
In 2013, Lynn performed at the Red Robinson Theatre in Coquitlam, where Howatson met her backstage and gave her a photo of the chicken coop.
鈥淚 think she was quite tickled by that,鈥� said Howatson.
The Vancouver Heritage Foundation said investors in Lynn鈥檚 first record included future Vancouver mayor Art Phillips.
Lynn鈥檚 family said she died peacefully in her sleep Tuesday morning at home on her ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.
Lynn鈥檚 biggest hits came in the 1960s and 鈥�70s, including 鈥淐oal Miner鈥檚 Daughter,鈥� 鈥淵ou Ain鈥檛 Woman Enough,鈥� 鈥淭he Pill,鈥� 鈥淒on鈥檛 Come Home a Drinkin鈥� (With Lovin鈥� on Your Mind),鈥� 鈥淩ated X鈥� and 鈥淵ou鈥檙e Looking at Country.鈥�
She was the first woman ever named entertainer of the year by her genre鈥檚 two major awards shows, first by the Country Music Association in 1972 and then by the Academy of Country Music three years later.
Lynn was also awarded the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013.
Howatson said Lynn鈥檚 life journey, from poverty to superstardom, represented the American dream.
鈥淚 will miss Loretta Lynn鈥檚 presence,鈥� said Howatson. 鈥淪he was a remarkable songwriter and an amazing woman.鈥�
鈥� With files from The Associated Press.
