Charlie Rich, Country Singer, Dies

HAMMOND, La. - Singer Charlie Rich, "the Silver Fox" who topped the country-music charts in the mid-1970s, died today. He was 62.

Rich died at a motel in this southeastern Louisiana city where he and his wife had stopped for the night during a trip to Florida, Coroner Vincent Cefalu said. The cause of death was a blood clot in the lungs, Cefalu said.

Nicknamed "the Silver Fox" because of his silver hair, Rich's hits included "Behind Closed Doors" and "The Most Beautiful Girl," both top sellers in 1973.

He had been off the charts for the past 15 years. His earlier hits included "A Very Special Love Song," "Every Time You Touch Me (I Get High)" and "I Love My Friend."

Rich was voted the Country Music Association's entertainer of the year in 1974, the group's top award. He was the male vocalist of the year in 1973 and his "Behind Closed Doors" and "A Very Special Love Song" were chosen albums of the year in 1973 and 1974,

respectively.