Watch Patsy Cline’s Last-Ever Performance of “I Fall to Pieces,” Just 5 Days Before Her Tragic Death

While spending less than two decades in the music industry before her untimely death, Patsy Cline left a mark on country music that continues to entertain and inspire. Throughout her time in the studio, Cline produced hits like “I Fall To Pieces”, “Crazy”, “She’s Got You”, and “So Wrong.” Just a sample of the massive list of hit songs from the star, Cline became the first female performer to land in the Country Music Hall of Fame. While her legacy never diminished, watch Cline’s last performance of “I Fall To Pieces.” 

Videos by American Songwriter

On this day in 1963, Cline took the stage on The Glenn Reeves Show to entertain fans with songs like “San Antonio Rose” and “I Fall To Pieces.” While not knowing she would pass away only a few days later, the performance marked a moment in the history of country music. Just a year before her performance, Cline released what would be her last studio album with Sentimentally Yours. Only producing three albums before her death, Cline is credited with influencing an entire generation of female country singers. 

[RELATED: Rita Wilson on New Single “Look How Far We’ve Come,” Jumping Into Gospel, and Her Tribute to Patsy Cline]

The Legacy Of Patsy Cline Continues On

Sadly, on March 5, 1963, Cline passed away in a plane crash after she performed at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Kansas. Performing alongside greats like Dottie West and George Jones, Cline hoped to return to Nashville. Her plane would never make it as he crashed just 90 miles from her destination. According to forensic examiners, every person on board died instantly. Cline was only 30 years old. 

Honoring Cline’s legacy over the years, the Ryman Auditorium welcomed stars like Ashley McBryde, Kristin Chenoweth, Rita Wilson, Crystal Gayle, Kellie Pickler, Grace Potter, and numerous others to celebrate the singer’s life during the Patsy Cline: Walkin’ After Midnight special. 

Featuring performance, interviews, and a glimpse into Cline’s life, her daughter, Julie Fudge, said at the time, “The fact that we’re here, 61 years after her passing, talking about it right now, is a testament to what [her] legacy is all about.” She added, “I was a child of the ’70s and listened to anything but [her music]. But at the same time, I became a true fan of Patsy. And so it’s not just listening to Mom, it’s listening to Patsy, and understanding what people hear, and what people feel when they hear those things.” 

(Photo by Johnny Franklin/andmorebears/Getty Images)