A true Idaho icon : Pinto Bennett, a star of Boise s country music scene, dies at 73 Michael Deeds, The Idaho Statesman
Jun. 30 Pinto Bennett, an influential Idaho singer-songwriter who shared stages with country stars and enjoyed success overseas in the 1980s, died Tuesday night at his Boise home. He was 73.
Bennett had battled two decades worth of health problems, including heart attacks, strokes and hospitalization with COVID-19 last fall. But his death was still unexpected, said his daughter, Danielle Bennett-Chavers.
Known for his honky-tonk, hard country sound, Bennett never became a household name. But he deeply affected Gem State musicians with his songwriting, humor and unique perspectives. His best-known band, Pinto Bennett and the Famous Motel Cowboys, held an annual reunion in the Boise area as recently as 2019.