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Hank Williams

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Born 17 September 1923. Died 01 January 1953.

country music legend

Photo of Hank Williams The Secret Machines, photographed in Santa Barbara, CA 2004 *Higher Rates Apply**NoTabloid

Biography

Hank Williams (September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953), born Hiram King Williams, was an American singer-songwriter and musician regarded as among the greatest country music stars of all time. He charted eleven number one songs between 1948 and 1953, though unable to read or write music to any significant degree. His hits included "Your Cheatin' Heart", "Hey Good Lookin'" and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry".

Williams died at age 29; his death is widely believed to have resulted from a mixture of alcohol and drugs. His son Hank Williams, Jr., daughter Jett Williams, and grandchildren Hank Williams III, Holly Williams, and Hilary Williams are also professional singers.

His songs have been recorded by hundreds of other artists, many of whom have also had hits with the tunes, in a range of pop, gospel, blues and rock styles. Williams has been covered by performers including Townes Van Zandt, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen , Beck Hansen, Johnny Cash, Tony Bennett, The Residents, Patsy Cline, Ray Charles and Louis Armstrong.

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Latest Blog Posts Really Simple Syndication

Blogs from the BBC

  1. Tom Russell: Savage Rants from the Minstrel Trail - Part 1

    Wed 7 Oct 2009 14:43 Tom Russell writes: There is no danger. Not anymore. Not in song. Bob Dylan walked out... Mike Harding

BBC Reviews Really Simple Syndication

  1. The Unreleased Recordings 2008

    The Unreleased Recordings (disc 1)

    Reviewed by Jon Lusk

    Williams' extraordinarily nasal, moaning drawl frequently sends shivers down the spine.
  2. Lost Highway And Other Live Favourites

    Lost Highway and Other Live Favourites

    Reviewed by Cormac Heron

    Hank took the old church songs and threw them on the back of his horse...

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