Mel Tillis dead at 85

Country legend Mel Tillis has died, aged 85.
The Good Woman Blues singer passed away on Sunday morning (19Nov17) at a medical centre in Ocala, Florida.
Spokesman Don Murry Grubbs has confirmed the sad news, revealing Tillis had been battling intestinal issues since 2016. The suspected cause of death is respiratory failure.
The father of country singer Pam Tillis, Mel recorded more than 60 albums and enjoyed hits with songs like Good Woman Blues and Coca Cola Cowboy.
He also wrote Detroit City for Bobby Bare, and Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town for Kenny Rogers and the First Edition, among countless other hits.
Tillis spent most of last year (16) in the hospital after suffering complications during colon surgery.
Updating fans about her dad’s health on Facebook earlier this year (17), Pam wrote: “There were some very tough months with Dad’s illness. Our total focus was paying attention to him and his recovery… Everything he is dealing with now, almost a year later, is a direct result of that crisis… Keep him in your prayers. They have worked.”