George Jones, dead at 81

Obituaries and remembrances
of steel guitarists, their friends and families

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Charles Curtis
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Post by Charles Curtis »

Today on the Fox News show, "The Five", that comes on at 5PM, Bob Beckel, one of the five, talked about George Jones. I believe Bob said he knew him and was a great fan of George Jones. Also how George lived and lived so long was discussed. I'll bet there are hundreds of millions of George Jones fans around this 'ol planet. This is a huge, huge loss for all of us.
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Dave Mudgett
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Post by Dave Mudgett »

Subliminally, I guess I have always thought he would somehow dodge the bullet forever. My wife just told me about this, feels like a glass of ice-water in my face. There will never be another George Jones, nobody to replace him.

My blues guitar buddies always talk about 'soul' in music. I have always told them to listen to any George Jones song and then tell me he wasn't the 'soul messenger' of country music. RIP, George.
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Ron Whitworth
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Post by Ron Whitworth »

Such a sad loss for true classic country music!
He will be missed by his many,many fans worldwide.
We love you George & so many THANKS for all the great songs you have sung
for us thru the years.
Prayers & condolences to your family.
RIP George.
THANKS A LOT!!!
Ron
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Dale Rottacker
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Post by Dale Rottacker »

He left us with a lot of great music...Thoughts and Prayer's for his family...
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Bob Carlucci
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Post by Bob Carlucci »

Anytime a musical legend goes to their rest, we talk about them joining the "great band in the sky"... Well whoever was singing lead for that heavenly band is looking for another gig now...

They broke the mold when George Jones came along. Who will fill his shoes?.. indeed..


RIP Mr Jones.....
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Dennis Saydak
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Post by Dennis Saydak »

I had the pleasure of attending a Jones concert in Winnipeg 5 or 6 years ago. Even though he was in his 70's he played to a sold out crowd at our largest venue. This past February several of us bought tickets to see George at the Shooting Star Casino in Minnesota as part of his final tour. Unfortunately the show was cancelled due to illness. RIP George.
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Paul King
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Post by Paul King »

I too am saddened to hear of George Jones passing. True country music is what he sang and leaves us with many memories. My prayers go out to Georgette and Jamie during this difficult time in their lives. I wish that Nashville would take note of his long career and the traditional music he sang. RIP George Jones, you are missed greatly.
Sam White
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Post by Sam White »

I heard last Saturday night at the senior center in Sebring Florida that George went to the hospital because he was not feeling well.I just bought a CD at the flea market and it is Goerge Jones singing The Rock and when i heard it playing on a CD player I said to the woman that was playing that song and heard george singing it I said I need that CD and i came home and sat down at my Steel guitar and played along and it did not take to long and i was playing with it.GOD bless George Jones and and his family.He had to be a good man as My Dads name was george.
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Sidney Malone
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Post by Sidney Malone »

Such a loss! I had the pleasure of seeing George many times back in the 80's when he was living here in Texas and had his music park. Great times, Awesome singer & the music he left will live on!!

Hang in there Georgette & remember the good times, our prayers are with you and the family!
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Lee Barber
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Post by Lee Barber »

What do you say: He had hit songs in the 50, 60, 70, and 80's, that I know of and probalby more, arwards still coming in, still a top bill, probably 4-5 generations of people saw him perform live. He and a very small hand full have outlasted all others. Wow, what the music industry has lost, a ledgend.
Good Bye George!!!
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Bobby DeMoss
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R.i.p.

Post by Bobby DeMoss »

God has you now and I'll bet your a singin away for him.

You were The Best we ever heard for sure.

R.I.P. and God Bless your Family

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Mike Cass

Post by Mike Cass »

Im sitting here waiting for the 10pm news to hear details... what a shock! Truly the end of an era :(
I too felt like George was an ace dodger of the proverbial bullet. Last show we did with George he absolutely tore us all up with the medley of his 60's hits....he had Tater, The Chief and every musician yet to perform listening and watching intently from the wings. I remember how when he kicked it off everyone just sort of showed up, en-masse. It takes a special talent to do that, and I feel extremely grateful to have heard him sing those classic hits live, one more time.
Sonny Curtis; well said my friend.
RIP Mr. Jones, and my sincere condolences to his family and all of The Jones Boys, past and present.

MC
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Jimmy Youngblood
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Post by Jimmy Youngblood »

RIP Possum.

This is a tough one.
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Jim Lindsey (Louisiana)
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Post by Jim Lindsey (Louisiana) »

Truly a very sad day ... I'm still in shock at the news. My sincerest thoughts, condolences and prayers go out to Goergette, Jamie and the rest of the family.

I've had the honor of seeing George perform twice. Once, in the late 1980s, as a co-headliner with Conway Twitty in the Seattle WA area.

The second time, when I was with Ty (Herndon), we had the privilege of sharing a Caribbean cruise gig with George in 1998. We all had a great time and he was so personable and courteous. We all sat at the same dinner table on the ship (the SS Norway) and had many wonderful talks.

George was always great and will always be great; and, he'll be sorely missed by all of us whose lives he's touched over the years. RIP, George.
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Tommy Oliver
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Post by Tommy Oliver »

Very sad news Friday George was one of (if not the) greatest.

Our condolences go to Nancy, Georgette and all the family in this very trying time.

I had the great fortune to get hired to play steel for him in Al. in the 80's. He will truly be missed.
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Andy DePaule
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Austin 1980

Post by Andy DePaule »

I was living in Austin in 1980 when a friend called to say she had two tickets for Austin City Limits.
She said George Jones was there that night.
Took me about a 1/2 second to say "I'll go"!
It was a great show with a very tight band.
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Ken Byng
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Post by Ken Byng »

Lots of reference to George and country music. For his whole singing career the man was country music. Period.
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Post by Godfrey Arthur »

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David Thornhill
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jones

Post by David Thornhill »

Sonny Curtis and I met in 1957 in Hillsboro Ohio, at a radio station. I'm sure that neither of us would think that a few years later we would be on tour together, he with George Jones and me with Loretta Lynn. We have done many tours with George, and he was always very nice to me. Loved his music, and he didn't stray from traditional country one bit. Now only a few of the good ones left. Rest in peace
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Gene Jones
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Post by Gene Jones »

Playing George's songs have given me and my family lots of meals during my career. May God's grace bless you George in the hereafter.
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Gary Preston
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Post by Gary Preston »

:( Well i have said for a long time now , that George Jones and Merle Haggard have been two of my favorite singers for a many years . Daryle Singletary is one of the top newer singers of all time in my opinion ! I only wish we could here more of him ,what a talent . I love the way he did the old violin ! What a voice folks ! I know that Mr. Sonny Curtis loved George and will miss him . Sonny is a close friend of mine and i love him . Yes this is about George and we all will miss his music . I just wanted to share my thoughts about two other stars . I hope you don't mind ! G.P.
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Marco Schouten
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Post by Marco Schouten »

So sad to hear. I wish all his relatives and friends a lot of strenght.
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Bob Ritter
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Post by Bob Ritter »

Thought and prayers to his family. His voice was unique and had lots of emotion. I loved his funny ideas for songs too you know like hi tech redneck and others. He certainly was no ordinary human being or entertainer.
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Post by Jeff Spencer »

Gone yes, but never forgotten. Condolences to all the family Jamie. RIP George
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Elizabeth West
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RIP Mr Country

Post by Elizabeth West »

Mr. Country George Jones.
No one every sing a country song with such phraseology like this man.
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