HARRIS, EMMYLOU

born April 12, 1947, Birmingham, Ala., U.S. American singer and songwriter who ranged effortlessly among folk, pop, rock, and country-and-western styles, added old-time sensibilities to popular music and sophistication to country music, and established herself as the queen of country rock. After being discovered while singing folk songs in a club, Harris added her satin-smooth, country-inflected soprano to former Flying Burrito Brother Gram Parsons's two solo albums (197374), landmarks in country rock. After Parsons's death Harris carried his vision forward, first in Pieces of the Sky (1975), which included her tribute to Parsons (From Boulder to Birmingham). Following this major-label debut album, she issued a remarkable string of critically acclaimed and commercially successful recordings produced by her husband, Brian Ahern. Her collaborations with other prominent artists or covers of their songs were legion and included Simon and Garfunkel, Linda Ronstadt, Hank Williams, the Band, Jule Styne, and Bruce Springsteen.