Patti Page Dies, 'Tennessee Waltz' Singer Mourned
Patti Page, singer of cherished songs such as "Tennessee Waltz," died at age 85 on New Year's Day Tuesday.
The traditional pop singer was born Clara Ann Fowler and went on to become the best-selling female artist of the 1950s, with 100 million records sold.
Page died in Encinitas, Calif., publicist Schatzi Hageman told the Associated Press.
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Nicknamed "The Singin' Rage," the phrase was often followed by "Miss Patti Page," and her first million-selling single was the song "With My Eyes Wide Open, I'm Dreaming."
In 1950, Page recorded her signature song "Tennessee Waltz." The tune was one of two songs that the state of Tennessee officially adopted.
Watch a video of Patti Page singing "Tennessee Waltz" on YouTube here.
"(How Much Is That) Doggie in the Window" is another enduring song by Page, released in 1952.
Furthermore, the singer's unique blend of country music into popular songs earned her other major hits during the 1960s such as "Old Cape Cod," "Allegheny Moon," and "A Poor Man's Roses (Or a Rich Man's Gold,)" among others.
Following her prolific career, Page went on the spend much of her later life traveling the world and performing.
Late last year, Page addressed unspecified health problems that prevented her from continuing her tour.
"Although I feel I still have the voice God gave me, physical impairments are preventing me from using that voice as I had for so many years," the singer penned. "It is only He who knows what the future holds."
On Twitter, many users are mourning the loss of the singer on Thursday.
"Rest in peace dear patti page," wrote Christina. "I listen to you every day and always will."
Anne posted, "RIP Patti Page… a great singer and a lovely woman."
"We've been using Patti Page's Tennessee Waltz to open our show for decades," wrote Charlie Daniels of the Grand Ole Opry. "We salute you Mam."
Actress Evan Rachel Wood also noted her respects via Twitter, writing, "Song of the day 'And so to sleep again' #PattiPage."
"The amount of times I have lost myself singing a Patti Page song cannot be counted," the actress added.
In 1997, Page was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, and the singer will be posthumously honored with a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award this during the awards ceremony this year.
Sharon McNight recorded a song in tribute to Page entitled "Put A Nickle in the Jukebox and Bring Back Patti Page."
Page, who was married three times, leaves behind two children.
