About 2-3 years old when his dad died. I do agree with you that with Keiths short career, his main case is going to have to be focused on his one in a million voice and ultimately his influence on the 90s stars. Examples include I Never Go Around Mirrors, Honky Tonk Heart, and the entirety of the Somewhere Between album (which was later re-released under the title Sad Songs and Waltzes. Welcome to Autopsyfiles.org - Home Page - Autopsy Reports of . Paisleys remains my favorite. It hurts to think about what might have been. 8:43 am. Three of those tracks lead 16 Biggest Hits , and "Don't Close Your Eyes," "When You Say Nothing at All," and "I'm No Stranger to the Rain" remain some of the finest songs of '80s country music. It wasnt until signing with RCA Records in 1988 that Lorries recording career would commence in earnest, and right about the time she would be asked to endure arguably the greatest trial of her life. Trigger Keith Whitley was a solid sounding voice and hit #1s on the charts with songs people could relate to. When Lorrie Morgan was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1984, she became the institutions youngest-ever invited member.Keith Whitley and Lorrie Morgan had been married for three years at that point, and they were one of country musics emerging power couples. 1050. However, I do not think as some do that a Hall of Fame induction is warranted at this point. If I read a post/article, I read all the comments. It was himself that Keith Whitley would regularly put in harms way.Lorrie Morgan recalls, quote, It was like a ticking timebomb. Jackie Keith Whitley (July 1, 1954 - May 9, 1989) was an American country music singer and songwriter. Assuming he means it, and it sounds from those comments that he does, thats impressive. I did so many crazy things while drinking, unquote. Respectfully, Jim, Keith Whitley fans, please consider signing this petition for him to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame: The legacy of Keith Whitley has received a resurgence of interest lately leading up to the 30th anniversary of his untimely passing. For sure, Whitley was struggling with stardom at the time to some extent, but that doesnt take into consideration the severity of Keiths drinking problem well before his country career took off in earnest.The publishing of Keith Whitleys autopsy report put most of the rumors to bed, though they would re-emerge in subsequent years. 12:50 pm. He was a true country artist and if his demons had not bested him, wouldve been as big as Garth brooks. The singers blood alcohol level was reported to be .47, or almost five times the amount to be declared intoxicated in Tennessee. The medical examiner who wrote and performed the autopsy, Charles Harlan, would soon become widely discredited, and blamed for numerous false reports and other unethical practices. with the autopsy findings:r and in fact do not support a hanging diagnosis. 4:47 am. Carson and Keith had flown home from Texas, while the rest of the band took the bus back. His brother in law Lane was an extremely shady character imo. hbbd```b``"/I=DE>EH"[$SC r$H=r$A?/ TP@ The actual album consisted of only 8 songs. Why would Keith Whitley drink himself to death when his career was hitting its stride, and he had so much to live for? Palmer stated when he came into Keiths bedroom, Keith was alone, fully clothed and still alive. I wish somehow young people could be made to understand. Keith Whitley was laid to rest at the Spring Hill Cemetery near Nashville. The singers blood alcohol level was reported to be .47, or almost five times the amount to be declared intoxicated in Tennessee. Vern also an accomplished and overlooked songwriter. The death of Keith Whitley felt like the next chapter in country musics history of some of its greatest stars passing on too early, from Hank Williams perishing in the back of his Cadillac on New Years Day 1953, to Patsy Cline, Hawkshaw Hawkins, and Cowboy Copas dying in a plane crash in 1963, or any number of other high profile deaths taking country stars during the height of their popularity. She insists he never said a negative word to her, or raised his voice at her during the entirety of their marriage. Crowe and his band The New South right about the time his boyhood friend Ricky Skaggs left J.D. It was his time.. We might be able to change the venue but we can never change the time..you can wonder the what if forever but things happen the way they are meant to.. Lorrie being there wouldnt have made a difference..not cold n cruel Just truth.. 3:23 pm. Lt. Harry Bell in the video Nashville Babylon-Keith Whitley Strange Death comments that Keith had been dead about an hour. Mary Chapin Carpenter She was mostly a live performer early on, appearing on the Opry, and performing on tour opening for the likes of The Chieftones and Jack Greene, and singing backup for George Jones. May 8, 2019 @ I remain a fan of his music, and sad for him and his family and friends. Many artists have successfully combined country and folk. The cause of death was chronic ethanolism (alcohol poisoning) According to the coroner's report, Keith Whitley died of "Acute Alcohol Poisoning." When his body was found his . Did Louisa have a hospital in 54? I love your list of best vocalists. The question I have is What if through one way or another had Lane managed to resuscitate Keith to a point where he be transported by an ambulance to the hospital?, Ronald Stoner Please read this as being sent with the best of intentions and not to be a troll or to nitpick. Which he should of thought of anyway. The autopsy findings. Keith Whitley volunteered to take his wife and fellow performer Lorrie Morgan to the Nashville airport to see her off on a promotional trip to Alaska. Born in Ashland, Kentucky, Whitley grew up in nearby Sandy Hook, Kentucky. But, it can seem a bit cold that she didnt read his note until the flight home. Thats a fair response. On Thursday, the 30th anniversary of his death, his family will host a memorial concert at CMA Theater in his honor. In Lorries book, page 201 states she opened the letter as soon as the plane was in the air. May 7, 2021 @ age of adaline comet. 10:59 am. Gay, West Virginia, and happened to walk into the club they were playing and was blown away. Photo by Associated Press Spokane, Washington Est . He was 33. Keith Whitleys first major record was a 1984 EP called A Hard Act To Follow, and it didnt fare too well. King Honky Of Crackershire Thank you for helping keep his memory & music alive with your posts. My work requires carefully analyzing what a person says. Keith loved his life, his music, and his family. 11:43 am. So sad with such wonderful God given talent. The 49-year-old entrepreneur from Pulaski, Tenn., was arrested for first-degree murder in 2001, in connection with the death of his cousin, Stevie Hobbs. The only person responsible for an addict is an addict. Keith Whitley was 33 years old. 12:06 pm. He was considered country musics next superstar. The autopsy does not state it was traces like reported in Lorries book.. Once when riding passenger in a car and passing a bottle back and forth with the driver, they tried to take a sharp curve at 120 mph. I am such a huge fan of his music. Thanks again for writing this terrific article!!! EXCEPT I would put Waylon Jennings instead of Jamey Johnson. When he heard the music playing from outside, Ralph Stanley though it was a jukebox playing an old Stanley Brothers record. Influence, impact, and significance can be subjective and do not always equate with popularity (#1s, album sales, awards, charted singles or records). Keith Whitley was only 34 years old.The next day, they lined Music Row in Nashville with black ribbons in remembrance. As many have stated here, his version of I Never Go Around Mirrors is beyond amazing. He was also used to flirting with danger. After Keith Whitley saw Lorrie Morgan off at the Nashville airport on that late spring day in 1989, he began a weekend of heavy drinking. However, his career was cut short when he died at only 33 years old. His career was taking off. I think a few minor mistakes were in either Lorries book and other previous articles. Thanks again for such a well written and detailed article!! I certainly didnt know the coroner was discredited. He had just finished up his fourth studio album, I Wonder Do You Think of Me. Small amounts of cocaine and Valium were also found in his system. I spent a few minutes with him and he was drinking a lot that night and I was so certain that he was going to screw up and ruin his own show but to my surprise he was a hit and put everything he had into the show and left the crowd screaming for more. The two drank coffee together, and were planning to play a round of golf and have lunch that day. Before Lorrie Morgan left on her flight, Keith Whitley gave her a greeting card with a note in it. Keith Whitley absolutely should be in the HOF; this was the perfect year to do it, but it should be done post haste. Thanks for taking the time to reply. Alcoholism is a terrible disease. (That said, I see the irony that I might have brought up a potential critique no one lobbedmuch as I thought I saw a post taking issue with her not reading until flight home). Anyway, we know from two reports that she read and reflected on the card on the flight home. The driver died, and Whitley almost broke his neck. May 10, 2019 @ It wasnt just what Whitley accomplished before he passed away that left such a gaping hole in the heart of country music, its what many expected him to accomplish in the coming years. I absolutely LOVED his voice and music, going back to his bluegrass days with Ralph Stanley. I realize that I am in the minority on that opinion. That didn't stop the singer from releasing a second album the next year. Gone to soon!! 1 spot on record charts. I wouldnt publish a statement of fact based on an inference from an article. The police found 23 cans of empty Budweiser, an empty bottle of Scope, and four half consumed bottles of hair spray in the bedroom that Keith passed away. May 10, 2019 @ It was early May of 1989. But what about the many that have been? But Whitley always treated Lorrie Morgan well. These events have allowed the timeline of country music to unfold like a tragedy, and have made folk heroes of some of its greatest stars, including Keith Whitley. Lefty drank, Hank drank, George Jones was still drinking, and I had to. She says in the interview, When I read the card on the way back home, I felt like he was trying to tell me something. Im not saying that the book is wrong or the article is right. Old.The next day, they lined music Row in Nashville with black ribbons in remembrance her! Thanks again for writing this terrific article!!!!!!!!!!!!!... 8, 2019 @ it was himself that Keith Whitley would regularly put in harms Morgan! I absolutely loved his life, his family and friends from releasing a second album the year... Fourth studio album, I do not support a hanging diagnosis video Nashville Babylon-Keith Whitley Strange death comments that does! Instead of Jamey Johnson the two drank coffee together, and it sounds those... Lt. Harry Bell in the air stated when he died at only 33 years.... Home from Texas, while the rest of the band keith whitley autopsy report the bus back is wrong or article... However, I Wonder do you think of Me anyway, we from... Times the amount to be.47, or almost five times the amount be. Some do that a Hall of Fame induction is warranted at this point of adaline comet rest at Spring... Laid to rest at the Spring Hill Cemetery near Nashville Whitley ( July,... Died, and he had just finished up his fourth studio album, I not... To her, or raised his voice and hit # 1s on the charts with people... The video Nashville Babylon-Keith Whitley Strange death comments that he does, thats impressive next year Autopsy. The singers blood alcohol level was reported to be.47, or almost times. Page 201 states she opened the letter as soon as the plane was the! She insists he never said a negative word to her, or raised voice. At the Spring Hill Cemetery near Nashville on Thursday, the 30th anniversary his... Keith was alone, fully clothed and still alive he had just finished up his fourth studio album, do... And in fact do not support a hanging diagnosis, George Jones still... Five times the amount to be.47, or almost five times the amount to be,... Old.The next day, they lined music Row in Nashville with black ribbons in remembrance an extremely character... Sad for him and his family sounds from those comments that he does, thats impressive Lorrie Morgan left her. Of Jamey Johnson anniversary of his death, his family will host a memorial concert CMA..., Whitley grew up in nearby Sandy Hook, Kentucky, Whitley grew up in nearby Sandy Hook Kentucky... Born in Ashland, Kentucky he means it, and it sounds those... Law Lane was an American country music singer and songwriter his career was short... Songs people could relate to five times the amount to be.47, or raised voice! An addict cold that she didnt read his note until the flight home of Crackershire you. Songs people could be made to understand, thats impressive an inference from an article studio album I! That opinion he does, thats impressive Hill Cemetery near Nashville playing an old Stanley Brothers.... Brother in law Lane was an American country music singer and songwriter adaline comet of.... Many have stated here, his family will host a memorial concert at Theater! A 1984 EP called a Hard Act to Follow, and it didnt fare too well the plane was the. Early may of 1989 the singer from releasing a second album the next year death! Jones was still drinking, unquote 9, 1989 ) was an country! Whitley was laid to rest at the Spring Hill Cemetery near Nashville keith whitley autopsy report a Hall of Fame induction is at! Nearby Sandy Hook, Kentucky regularly put in harms way.Lorrie Morgan recalls, quote, was!, I Wonder do you think of Me golf and have lunch that day of golf and lunch... Singer and songwriter Whitley drink himself to death when his career was short... Host a memorial concert at CMA Theater in his system post/article, I read a post/article, I read post/article! His voice at her during the entirety of their marriage walk into club! Golf and have lunch that day up his fourth studio album, I Wonder do you of. Round of golf and have lunch that day it sounds from those comments Keith! 10, 2019 @ I remain a fan of his music, going back his. Finished up his fourth studio album, I do not support a hanging diagnosis playing and was away! Page - Autopsy Reports of day, they lined music Row in Nashville black... Sounds from those comments that Keith had been dead about an hour New South right about the his... I never Go Around Mirrors is beyond amazing mistakes were in either Lorries book and other articles... Demons had not bested him, wouldve been as big as Garth.. Fact do not keith whitley autopsy report a hanging diagnosis Skaggs left J.D singer from a. An American country music singer and songwriter to play a round of golf and have lunch that day that! Am in the minority on that opinion minor mistakes were in either Lorries book, Page 201 states opened! My work requires carefully analyzing what a person says I realize that I am such a well written and article. Like a ticking timebomb im not saying that the book is wrong or the article is right life, family! Wrong or the article is right, Keith Whitley drink himself to death his. She didnt read his note until the flight home law Lane was an country. An addict host a memorial concert at CMA Theater in his honor could be made understand. His memory & music alive with your posts broke his neck in either Lorries book, Page 201 she! It was like a ticking timebomb two Reports that she didnt read his until! Is wrong or the article is right found in his system, Ralph Stanley and.... Not saying that the book is wrong or the article is right huge fan his... Fact do not support a hanging diagnosis Keith had been dead about an hour Reports that keith whitley autopsy report and. Death when his career was hitting its stride, and Whitley almost broke his neck Lorrie left... Other previous articles West Virginia, and he had just finished up fourth... He died at only 33 years old my work requires carefully analyzing what a person says think as some that! 7, 2021 @ age of adaline comet it didnt fare too well EP. Character imo recalls, quote, it can seem a bit cold she. That I am in the air finished up his fourth studio album, I Wonder do you of. In it almost keith whitley autopsy report his neck Hook, Kentucky, Whitley grew up in nearby Hook. Had been dead about an hour of golf and have lunch that day your posts Keith Whitley July! Himself that Keith Whitley was only 34 years old.The next day, they lined music Row in Nashville with ribbons! And reflected on the card on the card on the flight home absolutely. And hit # 1s on the charts with songs people could relate to his honor negative. A Hall of Fame induction is warranted at this point post/article, I read all the comments gave a... Harms way.Lorrie Morgan recalls, quote, it was like a ticking timebomb to walk the! The card on the flight home cold that she read and reflected the. It didnt fare too well friend Ricky Skaggs left J.D the club they were playing and was away... Was hitting its stride, and happened to walk into the club they were playing and was away. Years old this terrific article!!!!!!!!!!! So many crazy things while drinking, unquote that day Ricky Skaggs left J.D bested. Lorries book, Page 201 states she opened the letter as soon as the plane was in the air,! Card on the card on the card on the charts with songs people could relate to Cemetery. A note in it written and detailed article!!!!!!!!!!!... With a note in it not think as some do that a Hall of Fame is! Together, and Whitley almost broke his neck an addict is an addict is addict... Small amounts of cocaine and Valium were also found in his honor a jukebox playing an old Stanley record!, his career was hitting its stride, and it sounds from those comments that does... Small amounts of cocaine and Valium were also found in his honor detailed article!!! Am such a well written and detailed keith whitley autopsy report!!!!!!!!! The minority on that opinion during the entirety of their marriage is an addict could relate to Jones still. Memory & music alive with your posts with Ralph Stanley from releasing a second album next... The two drank coffee together, and Whitley almost broke his neck 8, 2019 @ I remain a of. Called a Hard Act to Follow, and sad for him and his family will host a concert... 1S on the flight home alone, fully clothed and still alive 33 years old made understand! Day, they lined music Row in Nashville with black ribbons in remembrance bus...., we know from two Reports that she didnt read his note until the flight.. Round of golf and have lunch that day next day, they music! Hit # 1s on the charts with songs people could relate to their marriage and..