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Who was George Morgan?
George Morgan was a mid-20th-century American country music singer and songwriter. He was born on June 28, 1924, in Waverly, Tennessee, but was raised in Barberton, Ohio. He was known as a “country crooner”, as his singing style was more similar to that of Bing Crosby or Perry Como than that of Ernest Tubb or Lefty Frizzell. He was a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1948 and a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. He was the father of singer Lorrie Morgan, who is also a country music star.
What were his musical achievements?
George Morgan had several hits based on a “rose” theme: “Room Full of Roses”, “Red Roses for a Blue Lady”, and “Red Roses From the Blue Side of Town”. His most famous song was “Candy Kisses”, which was a No. 1 hit on the Billboard country music chart for three weeks in 1949. He also had another million-selling record with “Almost” in 1952. He recorded for Columbia, Starday, Stop, Decca, and MCA labels. He hosted a 15-minute radio program syndicated nationally by RadiOzark Enterprises in Springfield, Missouri, in the early 1950s. He also appeared on television shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show, The Arthur Godfrey Show, and The Jimmy Dean Show.
How did he die?
Sadly, George Morgan died not long after his fifty-first birthday, from complications following open-heart surgery. He had a heart attack on July 7, 1975, in Madison, Tennessee. He was interred in the Spring Hill Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee. He was the last person to sing on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium, before the Grand Ole Opry moved to the new Grand Ole Opry House. A week later, he was the first to sing on stage at the new venue. His daughter, Lorrie Morgan, released two songs as duets with her late father dubbed in: “I’m Completely Satisfied” in 1979 and “From This Moment On” in 2006.
Why is he remembered?
George Morgan is remembered as one of the pioneers of country music, who brought a smooth and sophisticated style to the genre. He influenced many singers who came after him, such as Jim Reeves, Ray Price, Eddy Arnold, and Glen Campbell. He left behind a musical legacy that spans generations and genres. He is still regarded as one of the best country singers of all time. According to the Country Music Hall of Fame, “George Morgan’s voice was one of the purest and most expressive in country music history”.
