Jimmie Rodgers.Photo: Michael Levin/Corbis via Getty
Legendary pop singer Jimmie Rodgers (né James Charles Rodgers) has died. He was 87.
The star died from kidney disease on Jan. 18 and had previously tested positive for COVID-19, PEOPLE confirms. He died in his Palm Desert, California residence.
Born in Washington state on Sept. 8, 1933, he first gained popularity in the ’50s and ’60s after releasing Billboard hits including “Kisses Sweeter Than Wine” and his rendition of mega-hit song “Honeycomb.” Rodgers first developed an interest in music as a young child after he learned from his mom, a piano teacher. He sang in church and taught himself to play the guitar.
The singer continued releasing fan-favorite tracks including “Oh-Oh, I’m Falling in Love Again,” “Secretly” and “Are You Really Mine?” in the years to come.
Jimmi Rodgers.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
In 1958, he was the star ofThe Jimmie Rodgers Showon NBC. But things took a turn in 1967, when he was found inside of his car on a Los Angeles highway with severe injuries to his head and more.
In 1973, Rodgers agreed to accept a $200,000 settlement from the LAPD. The three policemen involved in the incident were suspended for two weeks for leaving him in his car, according the source. Many speculated that the attack was organized as retaliation after he left his former record label.
The injuries he sustained led him to develop Spasmodic Dysphonia, a condition which caused spasms in his voice box muscles. He also began suffering occasional seizures while performing. Rodgers underwent multiple operations, including brain surgery, to recover.
Most recently in 2016, Rodgers revealed the moment he realized he wanted to pursue music for the rest of his life. “We were sitting on the floor with only candles for light, and these tough soldiers had tears running down their cheeks,” he told Utah newspaperThe Spectrumof his time in the the military. “I realized if my music could have that effect, that’s what I wanted to do with my life.
source: people.com
