Country Legends: Hank Williams

Perhaps the most talked about and sang about country singer of all time, Hiram King (Hank) Williams was the bench mark for country music singers and songwriters for generations to come.

Hank Williams

Regarded by many as one of the most important country music artists of all time, Hank Williams’ recording career lasted only 5 years, but in that short period from 1947 until his death, at 29 in 1953, he recorded 35 singles (five of which were released after his death) that would place him in the Top 10 of the Billboard Country & Western Best Sellers chart, including eleven that ranked number one.

After recording "Never Again" and "Honky Tonkin" with Sterling Records, he signed for MGM in 1948 and released "Move it on Over" which became a hit that same year. In 1949, he recorded "Lovesick Blues”, one of the few songs Hank didn’t write himself, which not only carried him into the mainstream of music, but ultimately became his signature tune.

Although suffering from Spina Bifida since birth and not able to read or write music to any significant degree, Hank Williams wrote and sang songs that are considered classics and still sung today. He had 11 number one songs between 1948 and 1953, including "Your Cheatin' Heart," "Hey Good Lookin',"  "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" and “Cold Cold Heart”.

With the constant touring and concerts taking a toll on his poor health, Hank took to drink and drugs to help him get through, and it was believed to be a cocktail of these that eventually caused him to die so young. He was being driven by the teenage son of a friend of his to a concert date on New Years Day 1953 when he died in his sleep on the back seat of his Cadillac.

 He may have only had a short musical career, but his impact on country music is legendary. It is believed that over 700 songs have now been written about Hank Williams since his death, and if that isn’t making your mark on the world then I’d like to know what is!

To find Hank Williams music for yourself just enter his name in the search box to the right or go to www.countrysongscountrysingers.com and search there.