Jody Miller, the Grammy-winning country artist behind the hit song “Queen of the House,” has died.
According to a press release, Miller passed away on Thursday morning (October 6) in Blanchard, Oklahoma due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease. She was 80 years old.
Jody Miller has died at age 80. https://t.co/3w1xVF6bh0
— billboard (@billboard) October 6, 2022
Miller’s first big success came when her song “He Walks Like a Man” landed on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1964. The following year, she released her signature song “Queen of the House,” which is a response song to Roger Miller‘s “King of the Road.”
“Queen of the House” reached the #5 slot on the Hot Country Songs chart and crossed over to claim the 12th slot on the Billboard Hot 100. The song led Miller to a Grammy win for Best Country Performance – Female.
Miller continued to release hits throughout the 60s and 70s, including “Long Black Limousine,” “Home of the Brave,” “Baby I’m Yours,” and “He’s So Fine.” She was also a frequent guests on shows such as Hee Haw and Pop! Goes the Country.
By the early 80s, Miller made the choice to retire from touring so she could spend more time with her daughter and husband. She went on to start a gospel music ministry in the 90s after becoming a born-again Christian. Her love for her faith was shown through the many gospel albums she recorded.
Miller and her husband Monty Brooks were married for 52 years before he passed away. After his death, she started performing with their daughter Robin Brooks Sullivan and her grandkids Montana and Layla. They formed a group called Jody Miller and Three Generations.
Miller entered the studio for a final time in 2020 to record a new project, Wayfaring Stranger.
Her longtime representative, Jennifer McMullen, said:
“Jody Miller’s talent cannot be overstated. She had this innate, God-given ability to interpret and communicate with the most beautiful tones and inflection. She made it look and sound so easy that it sometimes takes a moment to realize the greatness of what you are hearing. But she was just as authentic and exceptional in her own life as she was on stage and on record.”
Funeral arrangements for Miller are currently pending. Our prayers go out to her family during this sad time.