Hank Locklin was one of the most influential and successful country music singers of his time. He had a long and prolific career that spanned nearly seven decades, during which he recorded 65 albums and charted 70 singles. He was also a member of the Grand Ole Opry and a pioneer of the concept album. 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 as Lawrence Hankins Locklin on February 15, 1918, in McLellan, Florida. He was the youngest of four children born to a farm family that had a musical background. He developed a passion for music after he was hit by a school bus at the age of nine and learned to play the guitar during his recovery. He dropped out of high school to pursue his musical career and performed on radio and in honky tonks throughout the South. He met Hank Williams in Mobile, Alabama, and formed his own band, the Rocky Mountain Playboys, in 1947. He signed with Four Star Records and had his first regional hit with “The Same Sweet Girl” in 1949. He also wrote and recorded “Send Me the Pillow You Dream On”, which became a country classic.
Rise to Fame and Success
In 1953, Locklin had his first national hit with “Let Me Be the One”, which topped the country chart. He then signed with RCA Victor and worked with producer Chet Atkins, who helped him develop his smooth and distinctive style. He had a string of major hits in the late 1950s and early 1960s, including “It’s a Little More Like Heaven”, “Geisha Girl”, “Fraulein”, “Why, Baby Why”, and “Blue Grass Skirt”. His biggest hit was “Please Help Me, I’m Falling”, which spent 14 weeks at number one on the country chart and crossed over to the pop chart, reaching number eight. It was also a hit in the UK and was ranked as the second most successful country single of the rock and roll era by Billboard. It sold over one million copies and earned him a gold disc. He also joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1960 and remained a member for the rest of his life.
International Popularity and Concept Albums
Locklin was one of the first country artists to achieve international popularity, especially in Europe and Asia. He toured extensively overseas and recorded songs in various languages, including German, Spanish, Japanese, and Irish. He was particularly popular in Ireland, where he recorded several albums and was nicknamed “The Irishman from Florida”. He also recorded some of the first concept albums in country music, such as “Irish Songs, Country Style”, “A Tribute to Roy Acuff”, and “The Gloryland Way”. He experimented with different genres and styles, such as gospel, folk, and pop.
Later Years and Death
Locklin continued to record and perform until his late 80s, although his chart success declined in the 1970s and 1980s. He recorded for various labels, such as MGM, Plantation, and Coldwater, and collaborated with other artists, such as Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and The Jordanaires. He also appeared on television shows, such as Hee Haw, Nashville Now, and The Ralph Emery Show. He was honored with many awards and recognitions, such as the Florida Artists Hall of Fame, the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, and the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Walkway of Stars. He also influenced many other artists, such as Vince Gill, George Jones, Kenny Rogers, and Merle Haggard. He died on March 8, 2009, at his home in Brewton, Alabama, of undisclosed causes. He was 91 years old. He was survived by his second wife, Anita, and six children from his first marriage to Willa Jean.
Legacy and Influence
Hank Locklin was one of the most important and beloved figures in country music history. He had a unique and memorable voice that blended honky tonk, Nashville sound, and pop. He wrote and recorded some of the most enduring and popular songs in the genre, such as “Send Me the Pillow You Dream On” and “Please Help Me, I’m Falling”. He also helped to expand the reach and appeal of country music to a global audience. He was admired and respected by his peers and fans alike. He left behind a rich and lasting legacy that continues to inspire and entertain generations of listeners. According to Wikipedia, he was “one of country’s greatest tenors”.
