Country Music Hall of Famer Jim Ed Brown died Thursday. The Grand Ole Opry regular was 81.
Brown died at Williamson Medical Center in Franklin, Tennessee, following a battle with cancer, reports Rolling Stone.
The family confirmed the sad news on Facebook, writing, “As a family, our hearts are heavy, but thankful for all the fans and friends who continue to lift us up in prayer. Thank you all!” His daughter, Kim, wrote on June 3 that his cancer had returned and that he was undergoing chemotherapy.
Brown had hits as a solo artist and as part of The Browns with his sisters Maxine and Bonnie. The trio was finally inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in March.
The Browns’ first big hit was “Three Bells,” which became a No. 1 country song in 1959 and even topped the pop singles chart. They initially thought about retiring in the early ‘60s, but were welcomed to the Grand Ole Opry in 1963 and RCA got them to record again. His sisters did eventually retire from music in 1967, but stayed the course and went on a solo career. That year, he recorded his classic “Pop A Top.”
He continued turning out country hits through the mid-1970s, but never stopped performing. Even after starting treatment for lung cancer, he released the album In Style Again.
The Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony is in October. CMA CEO Sarah Trahern, Hall of Famer Bill Anderson and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young all visited him on June 4 to present Brown with his medal.