The man behind "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" suffered a stroke.
The country music world has lost a true legend. Charlie Daniels, a Grand Old Opry member and Country Music Hall of Famer, has passed away after suffering a stroke, his representatives announced Monday. He was 83.
"There are few artists that touched so many different generations in our business than Charlie Daniels did," said Sarah Trahern, Country Music Association CEO, in a statement.
Daniels died Monday at a hospital in Hermitage, Tennessee, says his publicist. He suffered what was described as a mild stroke in January 2010 and had a heart pacemaker implanted in 2013; however, despite all of this, he continued to perform.
"An outspoken patriot, beloved mentor, and a true road warrior, Daniels parlayed his passion for music into a multi-platinum career and a platform to support the military, underprivileged children, and others in need," his representatives said. "The Charlie Daniels Band has long populated radio with memorable hits and his signature song, 'The Devil Went Down to Georgia'."
Daniels was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016 and joined the Opry cast in 2008, at age 71.
Our thoughts and hearts go out to Daniels' wife, Hazel, and his family and friends.