Musician. Born Harold Lloyd Jenkins in Friars Point, Mississippi. His father taught him guitar chords when he was just 4 years old. When he was 10 years old, the family moved to Helena, Arkansas, and he put together his first band, the Phillips County Ramblers, that same year. By the time he was 12, he had his own Saturday morning radio show. He was also an excellent baseball player and turned down an opportunity to sign with the Philadelphia Phillies, joining the Army instead. While in the Army, he played with a service band in Japan called the Cimmarons. After his discharge, he once again pursued his musical career. In 1957, he changed his name to Conway Twitty by using the names of two cities, Conway, Arkansas and Twitty, Texas. His first single on the MGM label, "It's Only Make Believe," went to #1 in 1958 and made him an instant teen idol. He had several other pop hits including, "Danny Boy," "Is A Bluebird Blue," and "Lonely Blue Boy," but, by 1965, he made the switch to country music. Twitty inspired the character, rock n' roll singer Conrad Birdie in the classic Broadway-film musical, "Bye Bye Birdie." He moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 1968 and became one of the most successful artists in the history of country music with over 40 #1 songs. Among his biggest solo hits were "Hello, Darlin," "You've Never Been This Far Before," "Linda On My Mind," "Happy Birthday Darlin," "Tight Fittin' Jeans," "Slow Hand," and "Desperado Love." He also teamed with Loretta Lynn on #1 songs such as "After The Fire Is Gone," "Lead Me On," "Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man," and "As Soon As I Hang Up The Phone." His home and adjoining complex, Twitty City, USA, was a major tourist attraction in Hendersonville, Tennessee. While performing in Branson, Missouri, he became ill and later died of an abdominal aneurysm while on his way back to Nashville, Tennessee. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999.
Musician. Born Harold Lloyd Jenkins in Friars Point, Mississippi. His father taught him guitar chords when he was just 4 years old. When he was 10 years old, the family moved to Helena, Arkansas, and he put together his first band, the Phillips County Ramblers, that same year. By the time he was 12, he had his own Saturday morning radio show. He was also an excellent baseball player and turned down an opportunity to sign with the Philadelphia Phillies, joining the Army instead. While in the Army, he played with a service band in Japan called the Cimmarons. After his discharge, he once again pursued his musical career. In 1957, he changed his name to Conway Twitty by using the names of two cities, Conway, Arkansas and Twitty, Texas. His first single on the MGM label, "It's Only Make Believe," went to #1 in 1958 and made him an instant teen idol. He had several other pop hits including, "Danny Boy," "Is A Bluebird Blue," and "Lonely Blue Boy," but, by 1965, he made the switch to country music. Twitty inspired the character, rock n' roll singer Conrad Birdie in the classic Broadway-film musical, "Bye Bye Birdie." He moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 1968 and became one of the most successful artists in the history of country music with over 40 #1 songs. Among his biggest solo hits were "Hello, Darlin," "You've Never Been This Far Before," "Linda On My Mind," "Happy Birthday Darlin," "Tight Fittin' Jeans," "Slow Hand," and "Desperado Love." He also teamed with Loretta Lynn on #1 songs such as "After The Fire Is Gone," "Lead Me On," "Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man," and "As Soon As I Hang Up The Phone." His home and adjoining complex, Twitty City, USA, was a major tourist attraction in Hendersonville, Tennessee. While performing in Branson, Missouri, he became ill and later died of an abdominal aneurysm while on his way back to Nashville, Tennessee. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999.
Bio by: Decal
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