Patrick Haggerty was a pioneering gay country musician who founded Lavender Country, believed to be the first openly gay country band.
- Died: Monday, October 31, 2022. (Who else died on October 31?)
- Details of death: Died after suffering a stroke a few weeks earlier at the age of 78.
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Pioneering gay country musician
Patrick Haggerty was a singer and guitarist who recruited friends to form the band, Lavender Country. The band is believed to be the first openly gay country music band, releasing their debut album “Lavender Country” in 1973. The album featured songs with gay themes and was popular in Seattle’s gay community with the band performing at Seattle’s first pride fest in 1974. The band was short lived, and Haggerty moved on from music and became a political activist. In 2014, a small record label released Lavender Country’s debut album and they gained new fans. Haggerty recruited local musicians and toured around the country. He released the second Lavender Country album titled “Blackberry Rose” in 2019 and it gained major distribution this year when Don Giovanni Records reissued the release.
Notable Quote
“I am, at this point, a country music item of note,” Haggerty said. “I never dreamt that would happen, but it did. And I don’t have to make any compromises. I get to be the socialist loudmouth that I am and have a career in country music, too. “And it doesn’t get better than that, man.” – Seattle Times
Tributes to Patrick Haggerty
Full Obituary: Pitchfork
