Jo Ann Castle: key obituary facts
Is Jo Ann Castle dead? Yes. Jo Ann Castle died on May 8, 2026, at age 86.
Cause of death: Jo Ann Castle's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Jo Ann Castle known for?
Jo Ann Castle was a Pianist.
More about Jo Ann Castle
Born: September 3, 1939.
Occupation: Pianist.
Genres: Honky-tonk, Boogie-woogie, Ragtime.
Instruments: Piano, Accordion.
Jo Ann Castle, the honky-tonk pianist known for her appearances on The Lawrence Welk Show, died on May 8, 2026.
She was 86. Born Jo Ann Zering on September 3, 1939, in Bakersfield, California, she built a career around piano performances in honky-tonk, boogie-woogie and ragtime styles.
Castle adopted her stage name from an accordion manufacturer, reflecting another instrument she played, and Lawrence Welk often billed her as the “Queen of the Honky-Tonk Piano.”