Laura Lynch, a founding member of the Dixie Chicks who played double bass in the band from 1990 to 1993, has died. She was 65.
The musician was killed in a car accident near El Paso, Texas, on Friday evening, her cousin Michael Lynch, told CBS News.
For a Texas Department of Safety Report received from HuffPostA car attempted to pass another vehicle on a two-way stretch of highway and crashed head-on into Lynch’s car. According to the report, the artist was pronounced dead at the scene and the other driver was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Hollywood Reporter has contacted the Texas DPS and police.
Lynch founded The Dixie Chicks, now known as The Chicks, in 1989 along with colleagues Robin Lynn Macy, Martie Erwin and Emily Erwin. She started as a double bassist in the band and eventually took over as lead singer when Macy left the band in 1992.
The bassist and her bandmates recorded three albums together – Thank heavens for Dale Evans, the little old cowgirl And I shouldn’t have told you that – before leaving the country music group in 1993 and being replaced by Natalie Maines two years later.
The reason for Lynch’s departure has varied over the years. At the time, the remaining members shared that she had been thinking about leaving for a while because she was tired of traveling and wanted to spend more time at home with her family.
In a 2003 interview with Texas Plainview HeraldLynch didn’t want to discuss it why she left because she told the publication that she and the group had agreed not to speak about it publicly. However, she noted that she was replaced and that always hurts, later adding that she had no regrets about missing out on the band’s glory.
The Chicks then shared a video of Lynch’s performance on their official Instagram account News of her deathThey said they were “shocked and saddened” to hear about it.
“The time we spent making music, laughing and traveling together is something we hold dear,” they wrote in the caption of a video of Lynch’s performance. “Laura was a shining light… her infectious energy and humor provided a spark to the early days of our band. Laura had a gift for design, loved all things Texas, and was instrumental in the band’s early success. Their undeniable talents have helped us not only busk on street corners, but also hit stages all over Texas and the Midwest.”
They ended their post by saying, “Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones at this sad time.”
Lynch is survived by her ex-husband Mac Tull and their daughter Asia.
An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified Lynch in the photo.
