Ernest Tubb was one of the pioneers of country music and a legend of the Grand Ole Opry. He was known for his distinctive voice, his honky tonk style, and his hit songs such as “Walking the Floor Over You”, “Waltz Across Texas”, and “Sweet Thang”. He influenced many other artists, such as Loretta Lynn, George Jones, and Merle Haggard. But how did Ernest Tubb die, and what was his cause of death?
Early Life and Career
Ernest Dale Tubb was born on February 9, 1914, on a cotton farm near Crisp, in Ellis County, Texas. He was the youngest of five children. His father was a sharecropper and Tubb spent his youth working on farms throughout the state. He was inspired by Jimmie Rodgers and spent his spare time learning to sing, yodel, and play the guitar.
At age 19, he took a job as a singer on San Antonio radio station KONO-AM. The pay was low and Tubb also dug ditches for the Works Progress Administration. He went on to be a clerk at a drug store. In 1939, he moved to San Angelo, Texas and was hired to do a 15-minute afternoon live show on radio station KGKL-AM. He drove a beer delivery truck to support himself during this time, and during World War II he wrote and recorded a song titled “Swell San Angelo”.
In 1936, Tubb contacted Jimmie Rodgers’ widow (Rodgers died in 1933) to ask for an autographed photo. A friendship developed and she was instrumental in getting Tubb a recording contract with RCA. His first two records were unsuccessful. A tonsillectomy in 1939 affected his singing style, so he turned to songwriting. In 1940, he switched to Decca Records to try singing again, and his sixth Decca release with the single “Walking the Floor Over You” brought Tubb to stardom. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc in 1965 by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Tubb joined the Grand Ole Opry in February 1943 and put together his band, the Texas Troubadours. He became one of the most popular and influential performers on the show, and also hosted his own radio program, the Midnight Jamboree. He recorded many songs that became classics of country music, such as “It’s Been So Long Darling”, “Drivin’ Nails in My Coffin”, “Soldier’s Last Letter”, “Thanks a Lot”, and “Half a Mind”. He also recorded duets with the then up-and-coming Loretta Lynn in the early 1960s, including their hit “Sweet Thang”.
Health Problems and Death
Tubb suffered from various health problems throughout his life. He had a heart attack in 1973, which forced him to cut back on his touring schedule. He also developed emphysema, a chronic lung disease that causes shortness of breath and coughing. He continued to perform until August 15, 1982, when he made his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.
He died on September 6, 1984, at the Baptist Hospital in Nashville from emphysema. He was 70 years old. He was buried at Hermitage Memorial Gardens in Old Hickory, Tennessee. His funeral was attended by many of his friends and fellow artists, such as Loretta Lynn, George Jones, Roy Acuff, Minnie Pearl, Marty Robbins, Bill Monroe, and Johnny Cash.
Legacy and Honors
Ernest Tubb left behind a legacy of music that influenced generations of country singers and fans. He was one of the first artists to record songs written by Hank Williams, who considered Tubb as his mentor. He also helped launch the careers of many other singers, such as Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, Roger Miller, George Strait, and Alan Jackson.
He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1965. He also received many other awards and honors for his contributions to country music, such as the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1981, the Academy of Country Music Pioneer Award in 1984, and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1989.
He is also remembered for his record store in Nashville, Ernest Tubb Record Shop, which he opened in 1947. The store became a landmark for country music fans and musicians alike. It still operates today and hosts live performances every week.
Ernest Tubb was one of the original stars of country music and a true Texas troubadour. His songs touched millions of hearts and his voice echoed through history. His cause of death may have taken him away, but his music lives on forever.
