7th November 2007 02:28 PM |
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Martha |
By MATT CURRY, Associated Press Writer 43 minutes ago
DALLAS - Hank Thompson has died of lung cancer just days after canceling his tour. The country singer was 82.
Thompson died late Tuesday at his home in the Fort Worth suburb of Keller, said spokesman, Tracy Pitcox, who is also president of Heart of Texas Records.
"He was battling aggressive lung cancer," Pitcox said Wednesday in a statement. "He remained conscious until the last couple of hours and passed away peacefully at about 10:45 p.m. on Tuesday night surrounded by his friends and family."
The last show Thompson played was Oct. 8 in his native Waco. That day was declared "Hank Thompson Day" by Gov. Rick Perry and Waco Mayor Virginia DuPuy.
Fans loved Thompson's distinctive gravelly voice and his musical style, a mix of honky-tonk and Western swing. He was named to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1989.
His first recording was "Whoa, Sailor" in 1946. That year, he started a band called the Brazos Valley Boys, which won Billboard magazine's touring band of the year award 14 consecutive times.
Thompson had 29 hits reach the top 10 between 1948 and 1975. Some of his most famous songs include "Humpty Dumpty Heart" and "A Six Pack to Go."
His album "The Wild Side of Life" reached No. 1 in 1952. It inspired a famous "answer song" written by J.D. Miller, "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels." Recorded by Kitty Wells, the song was the first No. 1 hit by a woman soloist on the country music charts and made Wells a star.
Thompson grew up a fan of Gene Autry, which fueled his love of the guitar. By the time he finished high school, he was playing on a local radio show, where he was featured as "Hank the Hired Hand."
He served in the Navy, and studied electrical engineering at Southern Methodist University, the University of Texas and Princeton.
Thompson considered a career in engineering, but remained in show business. He caught the attention of Tex Ritter, who helped him get a contract with Capitol Records.
Pitcox said Thompson requested that no funeral be held.
A "celebration of life," open to fans and friends, will be held Nov. 14 at Billy Bob's Texas, a Fort Worth honky-tonk.
Survivors include his wife, Ann. He had no children.
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On the Net:
Hank Thompson:
http://www.hankthompson.com/
Country Music Hall of Fame:
http://www.countrymusichalloffame.com/site/
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7th November 2007 02:53 PM |
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glencar |
rip |
7th November 2007 04:09 PM |
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fireontheplatter |
never heard of him. i'll check some of his u tube videos out.
rip |
7th November 2007 11:43 PM |
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Martha |
I hadn't heard of him either. Figured someone on this board has though.
RIP |
7th November 2007 11:46 PM |
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Fiji Joe |
A buddy of mine played with him at a few shows in the 80s...he was a huge fan of course...couldn't ride anywhere with that guy without getting a Hank Thompson education |
8th November 2007 07:05 AM |
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Nellcote |
Two country legends lost in 10 days, first Porter Wagoner, and now Hank Thompson.
I'd read where Hank was ill, actually was researching songs of his this weekend.
Leon Russell covered his "Six Pack To Go" on his terrific Hank Wilson is Back Vol 1, which is quite good.
Thanks for the info..... |
8th November 2007 10:01 AM |
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Martha |
I didn't know Porter had passed. Sorry to hear that news.
Thanks Nellcote.
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9th November 2007 09:39 AM |
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Nasty Habits |
quote: Martha wrote:
I hadn't heard of him either. Figured someone on this board has though.
RIP
He went had a string of really solid albums in the 60s, including the classic Six Pack to Go, although my favorite is On Tap, In a Can or In the Bottle.
As far as drunken western swing goes, hard to beat.
[Edited by Nasty Habits] |
9th November 2007 10:29 AM |
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Martha |
Did he drink then? LOL |