Sept. 4: Country music singer Dottie West died on this day in 1991.

She was 58. Dottie died as a result of a car accident several days earlier on her way to a performance at the Grand Ole Opry, in their car park. She underwent three operations to stop her liver from bleeding; but died during her third operation.

Dottie was one of country music's most influential and groundbreaking female artists. Her career started in the early 60s, with her Top 10 hit, "Here Comes My Baby Back Again," which won her the first Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 1965.


In the 1960s, she was one of the few female country singers working in what was then a male-dominated industry, influencing other female country singers like Lynn Anderson, Crystal Gayle, Barbara Mandrell, Dolly Parton, and Tammy Wynette. She continued touring an recording throughout the 70s and 80s, collecting 14 major awards for her efforts. She recorded her last song in July 1991 called "As For Me," a duet with Norwegian country singer Arne Benoni.


She had planned to record and release an album with friends including Kenny Rogers and Roger Miller. Tanya Tucker and Tammy Wynette were planning on recording a single with her when she passed away.
 
Press links below to view You Tube videos:
-- "A Lesson In Leavin' "
-- "Sweet Thang" (with Jerry Lee Lewis)
-- "Every Time Two Fools Collide" (With Kenny Rogers)