Naomi Judd, of Grammy-Winning Duo The Judds, Dies At 76


Country Music icon Naomi Judd passed at the age of 76.

She was to be inducted at tomorrow’s (5/1) Medallion Ceremony in Nashville for her work in The Judds alongside daughter Wynonna. A statement from her daughters Wynonna and Ashley reads, “Today we sisters experienced a tragedy. We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness. We are shattered. We are navigating profound grief and know that as we loved her, she was loved by her public. We are in unknown territory.”

The Judds signed to Curb and RCA in 1983 and earned their first No. 1 in 1984 with “Mama He’s Crazy.” Hits followed into the early ’90s including “Love Is Alive,” “Have Mercy,” “Turn It Loose,” “Let Me Tell You About Love” and “Love Can Build A Bridge.”

The mother-daughter duo was named the Academy of Country Music’s Top Vocal Duo from 1984 to 1990, received the CMA’s Horizon Award in 1984, and won that organization’s Vocal Group or Duo honor from 1985 through 1991. They also received five Grammys.

In 1990, Naomi Judd revealed she had contracted Hepatitis C, forcing her to retire from the Judds and her music career. Judd sought treatment. In 1998, she announced that her condition was in remission.

The Judds recently announced they would embark on ‘The Final Tour‘ this September.

They performed what would be their last public performance together on April 11th at the CMT Awards.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency

Facebook