Naomi Judd, of the Grammy-winning duo Judd, and the mother of Winona and Ashley Judd, died Saturday. She was 76.
Actress Ashley Judd confirmed the death of her mother on Twitter. She did not name the cause of death, but said: “We lost our beautiful mother due to mental illness.”
Scott Adkins, a publicist, said Ms Judd had died outside Nashville on Saturday, but did not specify a location.
The country music duo Judd, composed of Naomi and Winona Judd, was to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sunday. They have just announced their last tour – and their first together in a decade. It was supposed to start in the fall.
The mother-daughter duo had 14 singles № 1 during their thirty-year career.
Judd’s hits include “Mama He’s Crazy,” “Why Not Me” (both in 1984); Girl’s Night (1985); “Rockin ‘With the Rhythm of the Rain” and “Dandpa” (both in 1986); Release Him (1988); and Love Can Build a Bridge (1990).
They won nine awards from the Country Music Association and seven awards from the Country Music Academy. They also won five Grammy Awards for hits such as “Why Not Me” and “Give a Little Love”.
The couple stopped playing and recording in 1991 after Naomi Judd learned she had hepatitis.
Mrs. Judd is survived by her two daughters and her husband, Larry Strickland, who was Elvis Presley’s backup singer.
In a news release this month announcing the upcoming tour, Ms. Judd said she looks forward to reconnecting with fans and singing with her daughter Winona.
Referring to Wynonna, Ms. Judd said: “She asked me if I would still spin, spin and make jokes. I replied, “Damn, yes! I’m too old to grow up now!
This obituary will be updated.
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