RIP Charlie Louvin 1927-2011
Country Music Hall of Famer and Grand Ole Opry Legend Charlie Louvin died at 1 AM early Wednesday morning according to his son Charlie “Sonny” Louvin Jr. Charlie had been battling pancreatic cancer. Earlier this month Charlie had been in the hospital for a urinary tract infection and dehydration. He was 83.
Charles Elzer Loudermilk was born in Henagar, AL in July of 1927. As a teenager he formed a gospel duo with his brother known as The Louvin Brothers. They became official members of The Grand Ole Opry in 1955. Their tight harmony style inspired such acts as The Everly Brothers, and their influence can be heard in music across the spectrum.
Read The Undeniable Influence of Charlie Louvin
Just this week, filmmaker Blake Judd of Judd Films and Keith Neltner of Neltner Creative released some photos of the production crew from a DVD project in the works that chronicled Charlie’s last live performance at Foobar Too in Nashville on December 3rd, the 50th Anniversary of The Louvin Brothers legendary album Satan Is Real. For the project, they interviewed Marty Stuart, George Jones, and John McCrea of Cake, again highlighting the wide range of Charlie’s influence. The day before his last performance, he made an appearance on The Marty Stuart Show.
Over the last few years, Charlie had found a resurgence of interest by a new generation of fans, and had announced his intention to perform at the Muddy Roots Festival in Cookeville, TN in September. Over the last few years, Charlie performed at the Bonnaroo Festival in 2007, and toured with Cake, Cheap Trick, and Elvis Costello. As Charlie reached the twilight of his career, grassroots institutions of the country music underground rose up to support him, like booking agency Bucket City, Judd Films, and Saving Country Music.
Read Charlie Louvin Finds Support in the Grass Roots
Charlie will be missed in the country music community, and from Saving Country Music, our thoughts and prayers go out to the Louvin family.
UncleMary
January 26, 2011 @ 9:19 am
RIP. Will probably listen to nothing but the Louvin Bear box today.
Baron Lane
January 26, 2011 @ 9:21 am
Indeed. RIP
Chi-billy
January 26, 2011 @ 9:26 am
Rest in peace, brother.
jeff leet
January 26, 2011 @ 9:26 am
RIP. I was at that show at Foobar, sad to know that was his last performance.
Owen
January 26, 2011 @ 9:48 am
RIP.
Jason3.14
January 26, 2011 @ 10:57 am
We would have loved to have him sing his gospel at the Muddy Roots Festival but the good lord had other plans for him. Rest In Peace Charlie.
Charles Alexander
January 26, 2011 @ 11:08 am
I became good friends of Charlie from being back stage Opry a lot, I also took good care of his Auto and Bus Needs at Regent in Madison, We talked music a lot, He was good man. I’m retired now in South Fl. I was just thinking of him the other day. My
Facebook is Under Charles Alexander
JD Nashvegas
January 26, 2011 @ 11:38 am
Sad, sad. But I’m glad Charlie left in a new burn, with gigs and adoration before and behind.
Martin Luther Presley
January 26, 2011 @ 11:43 am
The angels rejoiced last night.
Here’s to a good man.
RIP.
wayne
January 26, 2011 @ 12:30 pm
gone but never forgotten RIP …
Corey
January 26, 2011 @ 12:49 pm
I hear rumor that RFD will be airing the Charlie Louvin episode of The Marty Stuart Show this Saturday.
The Triggerman
January 26, 2011 @ 1:27 pm
Cool, we’ll keep an eye out for that. Hopefully someone gets it up on YouTube for us non cable folks!
Tweets that mention RIP Charlie Louvin 1927-2011 « Saving Country Music -- Topsy.com
January 26, 2011 @ 12:53 pm
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Karen Chapelle, Muddy Roots Music. Muddy Roots Music said: https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/rip-charlie-louvin-1927-2011 […]
The Triggerman
January 26, 2011 @ 1:17 pm
Reverend Nix is putting together a Charlie Louvin tribute tonight for SCM LIVE that will air at 6:30 PM Central before the regular Wednesday night shows. Chat room will be open, so if y’all have the time please stop by.
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/scm-live
kocis
January 26, 2011 @ 1:51 pm
RIP Charlie
Carla
January 26, 2011 @ 1:54 pm
🙁
Doyle
January 26, 2011 @ 3:31 pm
RIP
manby
January 26, 2011 @ 5:38 pm
Reunited with Ira. Vale Charlie.
Denise
January 26, 2011 @ 5:40 pm
May God rest Charlie’s soul.
bill pitt
January 26, 2011 @ 9:00 pm
the original godfather or dark/alternative music
Aran
January 26, 2011 @ 9:10 pm
Hats off to Charlie Louvin.
Roscoe
January 26, 2011 @ 11:08 pm
RIP But the Angels got a lesson in harmony today when The Louvin Brothers were reunited in Heaven
Rachel Brooke Album News, Tour w/ Those Poor Bastards « Saving Country Music
January 27, 2011 @ 12:17 am
[…] Rachel and Lonesome Wyatt of Those Poor Bastards are heavily influenced by Louvin who passed away today, and the two acts will be touring together in March, heading into April. You will be able to find […]
David Lee is a State Line Warrior
January 27, 2011 @ 3:05 am
He fought a good fight.
Ojaioan
January 27, 2011 @ 11:52 pm
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/audio/louvin-tribute.mp3 Thanks Reverend Nix and Triggerman for the great tribute. My finger is stuck on “replay”.
Denise
January 28, 2011 @ 6:18 am
Beautiful.
Judd Films To Film Muddy Roots, Don Maddox Added « Saving Country Music
January 31, 2011 @ 8:58 pm
[…] Charlie Louvin’s passing last week, Judd Films reiterated their zeal and dedication for the project documenting his last show at […]
RestlessInAmsterdam
February 16, 2011 @ 5:59 pm
Rest In Peace Charlie Louvin, thanks for the great music. sorry for readin’ this so late, I found out just now.
Allen "COLT" Louvin
April 11, 2019 @ 10:16 am
Louvin brothers harmony in heaven.
Now wouldn’t that be something for Louvin family,friends and fans to witness and enjoy?
My Grandfather Ira and Uncle Charlie were my inspiration to become a musician,although I didn’t play country music for most of over 50 years of performing on and off as a rock and metal artist.
A few short years after my Grandfathers death I remember sitting at my great grandparents dining table and uncle Charlie telling me that I should play “REAL” music “COUNTRY MUSIC”,
but by then I already had my heart set on rock and roll and so on I went.
Now as I have grown older I’ve come around I guess you could say.
I’m now attempting to finish out my days as a country artist on this old dirt we call planet earth.
I can only hope I am accepted as well or better as a country artist than I have been as a rock artist.
RIP Uncle Charlie