|
"It comes with great sadness that I have been diagnosed with
stage four adenocarcinoma right lung cancer," Brown said. "This
news came as a shock to our family as we are still mourning the
loss of my big brother."
Brown, her sister Maxine and brother Jim Ed Brown comprised the
Browns singing group that had several hit songs in the 1950s and
1960s. Jim Ed Brown died of lung cancer in June at age 81.
Brown, 78, announced her cancer diagnosis during a luncheon at
the hall of fame honoring the group that she attended with
sister Maxine. Brown said she would begin treatment on Tuesday
and predicted a full recovery.
"I am surrounded by the love and support of my family and I am
determined to live many more years," Brown said in a statement
released after her announcement.
The siblings were raised on a family farm in Arkansas, where
every Saturday night they would gather around a battery-powered
radio to listen to the Grand Ole Opry.
The Browns are known for "The Three Bells" and other hits such
as "Here Today and Gone Tomorrow" and "I Heard the Bluebird
Sing." Recorded in 1959, "The Three Bells" held No. 1 on the
Billboard country chart for 10 consecutive weeks and was a
crossover pop hit.
The Browns were elected, along with the late, great session
guitarist Grady Martin and The Oak Ridge Boys, to be inducted
into the Hall of Fame in ceremonies on Oct. 25.
(Reporting by Tim Ghianni; Editing by David Bailey and Sandra
Maler)
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
|
