Hank Locklin was one of the most influential country singers of his time, with a career that spanned six decades and produced dozens of hits. He was also a pioneer of the concept album and a global ambassador of country music. But how did he die and what was his legacy? Here is a brief overview of his life and death.
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Early Life and Career
Hank Locklin was born on February 15, 1918, in McLellan, Florida, as the youngest of four children. He developed a passion for music after a bus accident when he was nine years old, which left him with a permanent limp. He learned to play the guitar during his recovery and started performing at local talent shows and radio stations. He dropped out of high school to pursue music full-time and formed his own band, the Rocky Mountain Playboys, which played across the South. He also served in the US Army during World War II, but was not deployed overseas due to his injury.
Locklin recorded his first songs in 1949 for Four Star Records and had his first Top 10 hit with “The Same Sweet Girls”. He signed with RCA Victor in 1955 and began working with producer Chet Atkins, who helped him create the smooth and polished sound that became known as the Nashville Sound. He had his first No. 1 hit in 1953 with “Let Me Be the One” and followed it with other classics such as “Send Me the Pillow You Dream On”, “It’s a Little More Like Heaven”, “Geisha Girl”, “Fraulein”, and “Why, Baby Why”.
The Success of “Please Help Me, I’m Falling”
Locklin’s biggest hit came in 1960 with “Please Help Me, I’m Falling”, a song that he co-wrote with Don Robertson. The song was a crossover sensation, reaching No. 1 on the country chart for 14 weeks and No. 8 on the pop chart. It also became a hit in the UK, where it reached No. 4. The song was notable for its use of the slip note piano style, which created a distinctive sound that influenced many other artists. The song was also the title track of Locklin’s first concept album, which featured songs that were connected by a theme of love and heartbreak. Locklin was one of the first country artists to experiment with the concept album format, which later became popular in other genres.
International Fame and Later Years
Locklin’s popularity extended beyond the US, as he became one of the first country artists to tour internationally. He performed in Japan, Germany, and especially Ireland, where he was warmly received by the fans and the media. He recorded several albums dedicated to Irish songs and culture, such as “Irish Songs, Country Style” and “The Irish Hank Locklin”. He also recorded songs in other languages, such as Spanish, German, and Japanese. He was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1960 and remained a member for nearly 50 years. He continued to record and perform until the late 2000s, releasing his last album, “By the Grace of God”, in 2006.
Hank Locklin Cause of Death
Locklin died on March 8, 2009, at his home in Brewton, Alabama, at the age of 91. The cause of his death was not disclosed, but he had been suffering from various health problems in his later years. He was survived by his second wife, Anita, and six children from his first marriage to Willa Jean Murphy, who died in 1969. He was buried in McLellan, Florida, where he was born and raised. He was honored by his peers and fans as one of the legends of country music, who left behind a rich legacy of songs and memories.
According to Wikipedia, Locklin had 70 chart singles, including two number one hits on Billboard’s country chart. His biggest hits included “Send Me the Pillow You Dream On” and his signature “Please Help Me, I’m Falling”. The latter also went to number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music chart. Billboard’s 100th anniversary issue listed it as the second most successful country single of the rock and roll era. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA. According to the Pensacola News Journal, Locklin was a Brewton, Alabama resident since 1984 and was well known among the locals as a friend and were never a stranger after meeting the cordial performer. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Locklin helped usher in the famous 1950s-60s Nashville Sound, which also featured the likes of fellow performers Jim Reeves, Patsy Cline and The Browns. His legacy grew overseas helping to spread country music popularity to Japan, Germany and especially to Ireland, where fans took to his clear, crisp tenor voice and claimed Locklin as an adopted son. According to Reuters, Locklin was one of the first country artists to tour internationally. He performed in Japan, Germany, and especially Ireland, where he was warmly received by the fans and the media. He recorded several albums dedicated to Irish songs and culture, such as “Irish Songs, Country Style” and “The Irish Hank Locklin”. According to The Boot, Locklin died at his home in Alabama of undisclosed causes.