Hank Williams

From ArticleWorld

Hank Williams, Sr. was a country music singer/songwriter and was one of the most influential of all times. Williams was born as Hiram Williams on September 17, 1923 in Alabama. He learned how to play the guitar at an early age and was performing throughout the state in his band, the Drifting Cowboys, by the time he was a teenager. Williams dropped out of high school, began working at a radio station, and was married a year later.

In 1946, Williams recorded "Never Again" and "Honky Tonkin" under Sterling Records. William's success and fame were on the rise when he made the move to MGM Records and released the huge hit "Move It On Over." He went on to release "Lovesick Blues," which was another hit and crossed over the borders of country music and into other audiences. William was invited to the stage of the Grand Ole Opry in 1949 to sing "Lovesick Blues." That was also the year that his son, Hank Williams, Jr., was born. The Drifting Cowboys went on to release popular hits such as "Wedding Bells," "My Bucket’s Got A Hole In It," and "Mind Your Own Business."

Williams began recording under a new name in 1950, Luke the Drifter. He released songs such as "Cold, Cold Heart," "Long Gone Lonesome Blues," and "Dear John." Even though his music career was a huge success, his life was not. His marraige was on the decline, he had an alcohol problem, and he was addicted to morphine and painkillers. He separated from his wife in 1952.

Even during this stressful and turbulent time in his life, he was still recording songs like "Half as Much," "I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive," and "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)." His drug problems only got worse and in 1952, he was kicked out of the Grand Ole Opry, being told not to come back until he was completely sober. He began missing concerts and showing up too drunk to perform. He got remarried, but didn’t stay faithful, and had a daughter.

The Drifting Cowboys finally left Williams and he was on his own. In January, 1953, he was scheduled to play in Ohio and injected with B12 and morphine before leaving with a big bottle of whiskey. When the chauffeur pulled over he discovered Hank Williams was dead.