Monday, June 5, 2023

Remembering Conway, 30 Years Later #MewsicMovesMe

We all have singers whose music touches us so deeply that when they pass away it feels like a personal loss. For me, that loss occurred 30 years ago today - Saturday morning, June 5, 1993 - when Conway Twitty died of an aortic abdominal aneurysm at only 59.


Even after all these years this is a very difficult day for me. I still remember my 15 year old self sitting on the couch that morning, hearing the news on my ever-present portable radio, thinking it couldn't possibly true. I had tickets to finally see him in concert in September. He couldn't be gone. 

Conway released his version of The Rose in January 1983. I would've only been 5 at the time so my best guess is I heard it for the first time a few years later when I really got into country radio. Even at that young age I remember thinking his voice was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard. I guess you could say he captured my heart that day and has had it ever since. That was the beginning of my Conway obsession, 35+ years ago.


It's said that music is the language of the soul, and Conway's voice touches my soul. He was taken from us far, far, far too soon, yet he continues to live on in the hearts of so many, as all truly great artists do.


15 comments:

Mark's Mews (Marley, Lori, Loki, and Binq) said...

TBT: It is good to have a person/music that means a lot. I have a couple of different ones, but that doesn't matter. Music is personal to each of us for reasons hard to explain. Just keep loving the music you love and remember the artist fondly...

Lynn and Precious said...

I think each and every one of us probably has a singer whose music is just so perfect that we enjoy hearing it all the time. I can't carry a tune and I can't even remember the words to all the songs that I enjoy. But there are a few singers that I will never forget, and he is one of them, I grew up hearing his music and I was way older than you.

CAAC said...

Ahhh, that was a hard for a kid to face the harsh reality that her favorite singer has died. I don't know that I was ever attached to any performer like that then or now. The entertainment industry has lost a lot of legends in recent years. It's always so sad to learn about these old stars' light has gone out.

I had not heard Conway's cover of The Rose before now. I rather like the country version. Thanks for sharing and for joining the 4M party, dear furriend! xo

Ramblingon said...

I love him too. I know that was one thing that sparked a response way back when I first met you here. XX

Ramblingon said...

MY gosh, it brought tears...

songbird's crazy world said...

His version is very nice.

pilch92 said...

I wish you could have seen him in concert. XO

Brian's Home Blog said...

It really is hard to believe that it has been 30 years.

Leah said...

A moving tribute to Conway, Melissa. When we find the work of an artist especially meaningful, the loss of that person is really hard.

Momma Kat and Her Bear Cat (Katherine Kern) said...

Music that moves you and speaks to you is the best. I did not know Conway died of an abdominal aneurysm, though. Something so quick and completely shocking is hard to cope with.

meowmeowmans said...

What a heartfelt tribute, Melissa. Conway's version of the Rose is amazing.

Angel, Kirby and Max said...

I always liked Conway's music. Thanks for reminding me!

Birgit said...

A very nice tribute to someone who died way too young. I wonder if this is the same thing that killed John Ritter??
He did a nice version of this song

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bookworm said...

It's a beautiful cover. I think many of us have been especially touched by a singer or a song whose lyrics speak to us in a special way. We've lost so many good artists in the past few years, and it is tragic when someone dies too young, as Conway Twitty did. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com