The audience at George Jones’ concert in Chattanooga on March 22, 2013, witnessed something truly special. This concert became one of his last, as he sadly passed away just 35 days later on April 26, 2013. That day, the people in the crowd didn’t know they were watching a legend perform for one of the final times. It was a moment they would remember forever.
Back on August 14, 2012, Jones had announced his farewell tour, which he called The Grand Tour. The tour was meant to be a long goodbye to his fans, ending with a big show in Nashville at the Bridgestone Arena on November 22, 2013. Jones’ health had been getting worse over the past few years, but he still wanted to give his fans one last chance to see him perform. He wanted to thank them for all the love and support they had given him throughout his career.
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Less than a month after his concert in Chattanooga, Jones was taken to the hospital. He had a fever and his blood pressure was irregular. Sadly, just a few days later, he passed away from respiratory failure at the age of 81. His sudden death made those final concerts even more special to the fans who got to see him one last time.
During the Chattanooga concert, while introducing his famous song “Tennessee Whiskey,” Jones opened up about his life. He talked a little about the rough times he had gone through and shared that he had been sober for almost 20 years. This was something many people didn’t believe because of his past struggles with alcohol.
“I haven’t drunk or smoked for 17 years now, and I know a lot of folks out there still don’t believe it,” he told the crowd. “But anyhow, it happened, and what a wonderful life. You find out what you got after all the fun. Here’s my favorite drinkin’ song; it goes like this.”
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Jones then sat on a stool, tapped his toe to the beat, and sang with all his heart. Even though his health was not the best, he gave everything he had in this performance. You could see how much he was trying to hit the higher notes, even though it was a bit of a struggle for him. The crowd could feel his passion and effort, making the performance even more powerful.
In recent years, a newer version of “Tennessee Whiskey,” performed by Chris Stapleton, has become very popular. Stapleton’s version brought the song to a new generation of listeners. But for many, Jones’ version is the original classic, and it remains one-of-a-kind. There’s something about the way Jones sang it that makes it unforgettable.
For those who want to relive that moment, you can watch his memorable performance below.
