Hank Thompson was a legendary country music singer-songwriter and musician who had a career that spanned seven decades. He was known for his honky-tonk Western swing style, which featured his smooth baritone vocals, fiddles, electric guitar, and steel guitar. He had many hits in the 1950s and 1960s, such as “The Wild Side of Life”, “Humpty Dumpty Heart”, and “A Six Pack to Go”. He was also a pioneer of the concept album, recording several thematic albums such as Songs for Rounders, Hank Thompson at the Golden Nugget, and The Countrypolitan Sound of Hank Thompson. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1997. He continued to record and perform until his death in 2007. But what was Hank Thompson’s cause of death and how did it affect his legacy?
The Diagnosis of Lung Cancer
Hank Thompson’s cause of death was lung cancer, a disease that affects the cells in the lungs and can spread to other parts of the body. According to The Celebrity Deaths, Thompson was diagnosed with lung cancer in late October 2007, after he had been feeling unwell for some time. He decided to cancel his upcoming tour dates and undergo hospice care at his home in Keller, Texas. He had been a smoker for most of his life, but had quit in the 1980s. He also had a history of heart problems, having undergone a quadruple bypass surgery in 1998.
The Final Days and Farewell
Hank Thompson’s cause of death came only five days after he entered hospice care, on November 6, 2007. He was 82 years old. His death was announced on his official website, which said, “There’s a new star in heaven.” His longtime friend and president of Heart of Texas Records, Tracy Pitcox, said that Thompson died peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by his family and friends. He also said that Thompson had been optimistic about his condition and had hoped to resume his career soon. He said that Thompson was “a true legend and a pioneer” who “loved entertaining people”.
Hank Thompson’s cause of death marked the end of an era for country music fans and artists. Many of his peers and admirers expressed their condolences and paid tribute to his influence and achievements. Among them were Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, George Strait, Ray Price, Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, Dwight Yoakam, Asleep at the Wheel, and Riders in the Sky. His funeral was held on November 14, 2007, at the First Baptist Church in Keller, Texas. He was buried at the DFW National Cemetery in Dallas.
The Legacy of Hank Thompson
Hank Thompson’s cause of death did not diminish his legacy as one of the most influential and successful country music artists of all time. He sold over 60 million records worldwide and had 29 top-10 hits on the Billboard country charts. He also won several awards and honors, including a Grammy Award for Best Country Instrumental Performance in 1983 for “The Woodchopper’s Ball”. He was also recognized by the Academy of Country Music as the Pioneer Award recipient in 1997 and by the Country Music Association as the International Artist Achievement Award recipient in 2004.
Hank Thompson’s cause of death also did not stop his music from reaching new generations of listeners and inspiring new forms of expression. His song “It Don’t Hurt Anymore” was featured in the video game Grand Theft Auto V in 2013. His life story also inspired the novel Crazy Heart by Thomas Cobb in 1987, which was adapted into a film starring Jeff Bridges in 2009. The film won two Academy Awards for Best Actor and Best Original Song.
Hank Thompson’s cause of death may have ended his seven-decade career, but it did not end his legacy as the king of Western swing. His music lives on in the hearts and minds of millions of fans around the world who appreciate his talent, innovation, and charisma. As he once sang, “I’ll sign off now before I start to cry”.