George Jones’ Wife Nancy Says He Knew When He Had Performed His Last Show [Video: Jones’ Final Performance]

Last Friday, hundreds of singers from all genres of music performed a tribute to George Jones at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena.  The concert was titled, "Playin' Possum:  The Final No Show Tribute" and was originally scheduled as his final concert before he planned to retire.  After he passed on April 26 at age 81, they changed the event into a memorial for the legendary singer.

George's wife Nancy told Nashville's Tennessean newspaper that he knew he would never live to see it.  As any wife would, she begged him to stop touring, but he wouldn't.  He told her, "In my mind, I think of all those old mamas that saved their money for me and I was a no-show."  Still, the fans adored him, knew that he was weak and never complained.

His final show was in the Knoxville Civic Coliseum on April 6, 2013.  His last song was, "He Stopped Loving Her Today".  He walked onto his tour bus after that performance and told Nancy "I just did my last show, and I gave 'em hell".  The following morning he was admitted to the hospital and passed on April 26, 2013.

His Farewell Tour was cut short, but it was time.  Before each performance George would have to inhale from an oxygen tank.  He gave it his all in the end because he felt he wanted to make up for the "No Shows" of his career.

Here is George Jones' final performance~He Stopped Loving Her Today.  Couldn't get through watching it without shedding tears, especially now knowing he knew it would be his last.

Alan Jackson and George Strait recently paid tribute to George at the 2013 CMA's.