Erik Ritland
Table of Contents
Patsy Cline is one of the most celebrated country music stars of all time. Her discography is filled with some of the best the genre has to offer, including “Crazy,” “Walking After Midnight,” and “I Fall to Pieces.”
Want to learn more about this early queen of country? Find out some cool, often-overlooked Patsy Cline facts below.
1. Patsy Cline’s Real Name
Patsy Cline was born Virginia Patterson Hensley.
She took the stage name “Patsy” following Bill Peer’s encouragement after joining the bandleader’s group in 1952. The following year, she married Gerald Cline, after which she took her new husband’s last name.
2. What was Patsy Cline’s Zodiac Sign?
Patsy Cline was a Virgo.
3. Patsy Cline Height
This cowgirl stood tall and proud.
Patsy Cline was five feet, six inches.
4. Patsy Cline’s Childhood Trauma
Of any Patsy Cline facts, this one absolutely shatters our hearts.
In preparation for the 1985 biopic movie of this leading woman in country music, Sweet Dreams, it was revealed to movie producers by her mother, Hilda, that her father abused her sexually as a child.
This was a secret that Cline had only previously told her dear friend, Loretta Lynn, telling her, “take this to your grave.”
5. Do You Want Fries With That?
Patsy Cline dropped out of high school at age 16 to work as a waitress to help her family with money.
During that time, though, she was also working on her music career.
6. “Walkin’ After Midnight” Almost Didn’t Happen
Everything changed for Patsy Cline in 1957 when she made her television debut on Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts.
After decades of trying to establish herself in country music, the 25-year-old stepped on the stage to perform “Walkin’ After Midnight” and was quickly signed by Decca Records.
Fun fact: Cline initially didn’t want to record the song because she thought it sounded too pop.
Related: The Best 15 Female Country Singers of All Time: Who Made the List?
7. Patsy Cline’s Classic Deep Vocals
We can thank a throat infection and rheumatic fever at 13 for the voice of the crooner we all know and love.
Patsy had said of the early-years hospitalization: “The fever affected my throat, and when I recovered, I had this booming voice.”
8. Patsy Cline’s Payment Motto
Patsy Cline didn’t mess around when it came to money. If she took the stage, you knew she was paid for it.
One of our favorite Patsy Cline facts is that she reportedly would demand she be paid before performing.
Her motto was: “No dough, no show.”
9. Patsy Cline Made Sure “Crazy” Would Happen?
Patsy Cline was involved in a major automobile accident two years before her death.
She was immediately hospitalized. It left her with a rough cut on her forehead, a broken wrist, and a dislocated hip.
She was still on crutches when she recorded her biggest hit, “Crazy,” which was written by future country legend Willie Nelson.
Related: Willie Nelson’s Net Worth and Other Essential Facts
10. What Personal Belongings Were Found After Her Fatal Plane Crash?
When the legendary “Sweet Dreams” singer was fatally killed in a plane crash on March 5, 1963, due to inexperience of the pilot and heavy storms, several personal items were found.
Among them were her wristwatch, a Confederate flag cigarette lighter, three pairs of gold lamé slippers, and a studded belt.
Related: How did Hank Williams Die? A Not-So-Happy New Year
11. You Don’t Realize What You Have Until It’s Gone
As popular as Patsy Cline was, she became ever more famous after her death. As many records as she sold during her career, she has sold millions more posthumously.
She didn’t even have an album on the UK charts until after her death.
12. Patsy Cline’s Groundbreaking Achievements
It’s safe to say that Patsy Cline paved the way for many female country singers to come.
She was the first woman in country to headline her own show and the first woman to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973.
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