Hank Williams

• 27 Apr 10:35
• •
• 4 lists

Country music's greatest and most important legend, Hank Williams, learned guitar from Teetot (Rufe Payne), a local bluesman. After relocating to Nashville, Williams began recording for the small Sterling Records label in 1946 before signing to MGM Records, where 'Move It On Over' became the first of numerous country hits. Among the iconic tracks Williams wrote were the enduring standards 'Lovesick Blues', 'I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry', 'Hey Good Lookin'', and the evergreen 'Jambalaya'. In his heart, he was a bluesman, and a tormented one at that: drink, drugs and relationship problems continued to bedevil him throughout his career, but somehow he always managed to channel them into outstanding music. He finally divorced in 1952, and that same year was fired from the Grand Ole Opry due to his alcoholism. The dive hit him hard, relegating him to the small club circuit. On New Year's Day in 1953, Williams was expected to play - at last - a decent size gig. His plane, however, was cancelled owing to bad weather. A young taxi driver was hired to drive the singer's Cadillac, with Williams in the back. One bottle of whiskey down, Williams died in his sleep in the back of his cherished car. With chilling prophecy, Williams' current chart-topping single was 'I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive'.

Followers: George Jones, Conway Twitty, Merle Haggard

Influenced By: Roy Acuff, The Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers...

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