Patrick Haggertythe lead singer and guitarist of the country music band Lavender Country passed away on Monday, October 31 at the age of 78. The band announced the news on their own Instagram page, writing:
“We lost a beautiful soul this morning.” Patrick Haggerty, rest in peace. He was lucky enough to spend his last days at home surrounded by his children and life partner, JB, after suffering a stroke a few weeks ago. “Solidarity and love.”
According to his social media platforms, the late singer and composer suffered a stroke earlier this year, resulting in complications that eventually led to his death. So no funeral has yet been scheduled for Haggerty and no additional information has been released.
Twitter users pay tribute
Haggerty was the frontman of Lavender Country, widely regarded as the first openly gay country band. As word of his death spread, Twitter was flooded with tribute.
Heartbroken to hear of the passing of Patrick Haggerty, creator of Lavender Country, the first queer country album. Patrick was an elder and a musical hero to my generation of queer country artists—and especially to me because he was a relative of my family through marriage. pic.twitter.com/9DmG7xOXel
— Jake Blount (@forked_queer) October 31, 2022
Patrick Haggerty of Lavender Country just passed away. Interviewing him for the @Chicago_Reader this year was one of the most cathartic experiences of my entire life. I am eternally grateful for his shining example of politically driven queerness. REST IN PEACE https://t.co/UNFywTv5KV
— Annie Howard 🏳️🌈🐀 (@t_annie_howard) October 31, 2022
All about Patrick Haggerty
Patrick Haggerty, born September 27, 1944, was a well-known singer, composer, musician, activist and politician. In 1972 he became known as the main vocalist and guitarist of the band Lavender Country. Charles Edward Haggerty, Patrick’s father, was a dairy farmer and Asylda Mary Remillard-Haggerty was a homemaker. He was the couple’s sixth child. In 1959, he attended Port Angeles High School and was named a top cheerleader. After graduation, Haggarty joined the Peace Corps, but was fired in 1966 for being gay.
Despite growing up in a Roman Catholic family, Haggarty identified as an agnostic. Gay Community Social Services of Seattle sponsored and published Lavender Country’s debut album after they formed in 1972. divide. Lavender Country Revisited, the band’s second EP, was released in 2000.
In 2000, the band reformed and played at Seattle’s Broadway Performance Hall. They then released a full-length album in 2019 titled Blackberry Rose and Other Songs and Sorrows. Patrick then played on Trixie Mattel’s album Barbara in a rendition of I Can’t Shake the Stranger Out of You called Stranger. Pat hosted Aunt Patty’s Lavender Hour, a 2020 YouTube series where he spoke with individuals who had an impact on his life and musical career, including his son and director Amilcar Navarro, visual artist Pat Moriarity and filmmaker Dan Taberski. Blackberry Rose, the band’s second album, was released in February 2022.
Patrick Haggerty led two political races in 1976, both of which were unsuccessful. This includes running for Seattle City Council and then as an independent candidate for a seat in the Washington House of Representatives. Patrick’s companion, Julius Broughton, his children Robin Boland and Amilcar Navarro, and his grandson Maxwell Boland survive him.
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