Hal Ketchum has died aged 67 due to complications from dementia

Country star Hal Ketchum has died, following complications from his battle with dementia, his wife has confirmed.

Ketchum was 67 years old.

The musician’s wife Andrea shared the tragic news on her Facebook page Tuesday morning, writing: ‘With great sadness and grief we announce that Hal passed away peacefully last night at home due to complications of Dementia.’

She added: ‘May his music live on forever in your hearts and bring you peace.’

His wife had previously shared his diagnosis with fans back in April, also on Facebook.

Her statement said at that time: ‘Because of his love for his fans, he continued performing as long as it was possible. Dementia is an exhausting and confusing illness, and now it’s time for Hal to stay home with loved ones.’

It went on: ‘Hal is otherwise healthy and happy, enjoying time with his family and friends.’

Ketchum retired from the music business in 2019 following a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, after starting his music career in the 1980s. 

He has released eleven studio albums beginning in 1986 with his most commercially successful record being 1991’s Past the Point of Rescue. 

The singer had a good run between 1991 and 2006 when he scored seventeen entries on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including three that reached the number two position.

Born in Greenwich, New York, in 1953, he began his music career as a drummer in a rhythm and blues trio, before moving to Austin, Texas, where began writing songs and playing in small clubs. 

His most recent releases were Father Time in 2008, and I’m the Troubadour in 2014. 

Ketchum also dabbled in acting, appearing in the 1988 film Heartbreak Hotel, and made a cameo appearance as a bank robber in the 1994 film Maverick.