Musician. Born in Los Angeles, California, he was a popular singer-guitar player, best remembered for his saga songs and historical ballads. He began his career performing on local radio stations, which led to shows with the Louisiana Hayride. Changing his style from traditional country ballads to rockabilly, he was signed to Columbia Records which produced his first hit "Honky Tonk Man" in 1956. His recording career spanned only a few years but it was a rich varied musical legacy with number one hits on both the country and pop charts to include "The Battle of New Orleans" (1959), "North to Alaska" (1960) and "Sink the Bismarck" (1960). He died in Milano, Texas, in an auto accident at age 35 and was posthumously inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Musician. Born in Los Angeles, California, he was a popular singer-guitar player, best remembered for his saga songs and historical ballads. He began his career performing on local radio stations, which led to shows with the Louisiana Hayride. Changing his style from traditional country ballads to rockabilly, he was signed to Columbia Records which produced his first hit "Honky Tonk Man" in 1956. His recording career spanned only a few years but it was a rich varied musical legacy with number one hits on both the country and pop charts to include "The Battle of New Orleans" (1959), "North to Alaska" (1960) and "Sink the Bismarck" (1960). He died in Milano, Texas, in an auto accident at age 35 and was posthumously inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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