Is considered by many experts to be among the finest, if not the
finest, country music singer of all time. His 1980 #1 hit, "He
Stopped Loving Her Today," ranks as the all-time greatest country song,
according to several fan polls.
His wife, Nancy, unexpectedly had to accept his 1993 Country Music
Association award because he was inconveniently disposed in the
restroom at the time.
Suffered lacerated liver and bruised lung in car
accident
Elected to the Country Music Association's Hall of Fame in 1992.
Most famous duet partner was (and remains) Tammy Wynette, his
third wife. Together, they released a string of duet hits, including the #1 hits "We're Gonna Hold On" (1973), "Golden Ring"
(1976) and "Near You" (1977).