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What did Hank Williams die of?
Heart attackHank Williams / Cause of deathThe result of the original autopsy indicated that Williams died of a heart attack. Author Colin Escott concluded in his book Hank Williams: The Biography that the cause of death was heart failure caused by the combination of alcohol, morphine and chloral hydrate.
When did Hank Williams die and how old was he?
29 years (1923–1953)Hank Williams / Age at death
How did Hank Senior die?
The last years of his life were suffused in increasing sadness and substance abuse. He died of a heart attack in a drug- and alcohol-induced stupor in the backseat of a car, probably in West Virginia, while being driven from Knoxville, Tennessee, to a concert in Canton, Ohio.
Who was with Hank Williams when he died?
Charles CarrThe passenger was barely 29 and dead. At the wheel was Charles Carr, a college freshman on Christmas break from Auburn. The man in the back seat was singer-songwriter Hank Williams.
How much is Hank Williams estate worth?
Hank Williams Net WorthNet Worth:$100 ThousandDate of Birth:Sep 17, 1923 - Jan 1, 1953 (29 years old)Gender:MaleHeight:6 ft (1.83 m)Profession:Musician, Singer-songwriter, Author1 more row
Who sang at Hank's funeral?
Music was provided by Williams's band, the Drifting Cowboys, and a number of performers, including Ernest Tubb, Red Foley, Roy Acuff and the Statesmen Quartet. Read more at Encyclopedia of Alabama. For more on Alabama's Bicentennial, visit Alabama 200.
Did Hank Williams die in a car?
He died in the back seat of his Cadillac while being driven to a gig on New Year's Day 1953. Heart failure and hard living did him in. He was only 29. The Death Car -- its back seat off-limits to everyone -- is the centerpiece of the Hank Williams Museum in his home town of Montgomery.
What does the name Hank stand for?
home rulerMeaning:home ruler. Hank is a masculine name of German origin. This familiar name translates to “home ruler”, which makes sense due to its longstanding prevalence in culture. Hank is probably best known as a diminutive of Henry or Harry, but it is thought to trace back to the medieval name Hankin.
Is Midnight in Montgomery a true story?
“Midnight in Montgomery” – Based on True Events Alan Jackson was traveling around the country visiting radio stations presumably in the time between his first major release and “Don't Rock the Jukebox.” On his travels, he found himself in Montgomery, Alabama overnight.
Who drove Hank Williams car?
Charles CarrCharles Carr, who was just 18 and a college freshman when he drove country music legend Hank Williams on his final journey more than 60 years ago, died July 1 after a brief illness. He was 79. His death was confirmed by Beth Petty, director of the Hank Williams Museum in Montgomery, Ala.
How many hits did Hank Williams have?
Born in Butler County, Alabama in 1923, Hank Williams had quite the impact on country music in his short 29 years, as both a songwriter and a vocalist. He recorded 35 singles that reached the top ten of the country Billboard charts, including 11 number one hits.
Where is Hank Williams burial site?
Oakwood Cemetery Annex, Montgomery, ALHank Williams / Place of burial- Hank Williams isn't buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Montgomery, Alabama, as is commonly reported. Instead, he's buried in the Oakwood Annex, a cemetery that, unlike the city-owned Oakwood, was in private hands until the owner died and the state was forced to take it over in April 2004.
What does the name Hank stand for?
home rulerMeaning:home ruler. Hank is a masculine name of German origin. This familiar name translates to “home ruler”, which makes sense due to its longstanding prevalence in culture. Hank is probably best known as a diminutive of Henry or Harry, but it is thought to trace back to the medieval name Hankin.
Where is Hank Williams burial site?
Oakwood Cemetery Annex, Montgomery, ALHank Williams / Place of burial- Hank Williams isn't buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Montgomery, Alabama, as is commonly reported. Instead, he's buried in the Oakwood Annex, a cemetery that, unlike the city-owned Oakwood, was in private hands until the owner died and the state was forced to take it over in April 2004.
How old was Patsy Cline when she died?
30 years (1932–1963)Patsy Cline / Age at death
Did Hank Williams wife remarry?
Later life and death Williams and her son, Hank Jr., became estranged after he turned 18. She never remarried.
When did Carr realize his passenger was dead?
About six or seven hours later, on the morning of Jan. 1, 1953, Carr realized his passenger was dead and already beset with rigor mortis. When the singer’s death was announced to the waiting crowd at the Palace Theatre in Canton, they sang Williams’ “I Saw the Light” in unison.
Where was the concert that Williams was chauffeured to?
There is a framework of events that is largely agreed upon, starting with Williams being chauffeured to a planned New Year’s Eve show in Charleston, W. Va. The singer, who suffered from a back problem, was given a sedative by his regular doctor — who had allegedly purchased a fake medical diploma through the mail and was rumored to frequently overprescribe — before setting off with a college student named Charles Carr acting as his driver. But inclement weather meant they couldn’t get to Charleston, so the concert was canceled and they instead made a pit stop at the Andrew Johnson Hotel in Knoxville, Tenn.
Where did Hank Williams live in 1952?
On the evening of Dec. 30, 1952, the restless, rail-thin 29-year-old tossed and turned in bed at his home in Montgomery, Ala. When new wife Billie Jean asked what was the matter, she claimed his reply was, “I think I see God comin’ down the road.”. Hank Williams in 1948 Getty Images.
Who plays Hank Williams in I Saw the Light?
Elizabeth Olsen and Tom Hiddleston, who plays Hank Williams, in “I Saw the Light .” Courtesy Everett Collection
When did Carr realize his passenger was dead?
About six or seven hours later, on the morning of Jan. 1, 1953, Carr realized his passenger was dead and already beset with rigor mortis. When the singer’s death was announced to the waiting crowd at the Palace Theatre in Canton, they sang Williams’ “I Saw the Light” in unison.
Where was the concert that Williams was chauffeured to?
There is a framework of events that is largely agreed upon, starting with Williams being chauffeured to a planned New Year’s Eve show in Charleston, W.Va. The singer, who suffered from a back problem, was given a sedative by his regular doctor — who had allegedly purchased a fake medical diploma through the mail and was rumored to frequently overprescribe — before setting off with a college student named Charles Carr acting as his driver. But inclement weather meant they couldn’t get to Charleston, so the concert was canceled and they instead made a pit stop at the Andrew Johnson Hotel in Knoxville, Tenn.
When did Hank Williams change his name?
In July 1937, the Williams and McNeils opened a boarding house on South Perry Street in downtown Montgomery. It was at this time that Williams decided to change his name informally from Hiram to Hank. Williams told a story in later concerts that attributed his name change to a cat's yowling.
What was Hank Williams' biggest hit?
A major hit for Hank Williams, " Lovesick Blues " moved him to the mainstream of country music and assured him a position in the Grand Ole Opry.
How many hits did Hank Williams have?
Hiram " Hank " Williams (September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. Regarded as one of the most significant and influential American singers and songwriters of the 20th century, he recorded 35 singles (five released posthumously) that reached the top 10 of the Billboard Country & Western Best Sellers ...
When was Elonzo Williams released from the hospital?
In August 1938 , Elonzo Williams was temporarily released from the hospital. He showed up unannounced at the family's home in Montgomery. Lillie was unwilling to let him reclaim his position as the head of the household. Elonzo stayed to celebrate his son's birthday in September before he returned to the medical center in Louisiana. Williams's mother had claimed that he was dead.
What was the last song that Williams sang?
Williams's final single, released in November 1952 while he was still alive, was titled " I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive ". His song "Your Cheatin' Heart" was written and recorded in September 1952, but released in late January 1953 after his death. The song, backed by " Kaw-Liga ", was No. 1 on the country charts for six weeks. It provided the title for the 1964 biographical film of the same name, which starred George Hamilton as Williams. "Take These Chains From My Heart" was released in April 1953 and reached No. 1 on the country charts. Released in July, "I Won't Be Home No More" went to No. 4. Meanwhile, "Weary Blues From Waitin'" reached No. 7.
Where is Hiram Williams?
Williams's family house in Georgiana, Alabama . Williams was born Hiram Williams on September 17, 1923, in the rural community of Mount Olive in Butler County, Alabama. He was the third child of Jessie Lillybelle "Lillie" (née Skipper) and Elonzo Huble "Lon" Williams.
Where did the Williams family live?
In the fall of 1934, the Williams family moved to Greenville, Alabama, where Lillie opened a boarding house next to the Butler County courthouse. In 1935, they settled in Garland, Alabama, where Lillie opened a new boarding house; they later moved with Williams's cousin Opal McNeil to Georgiana, Alabama, where Lillie took several side jobs to support the family despite the bleak economic climate of the Great Depression. She worked in a cannery and served as a night-shift nurse in the local hospital. Their first house burned down, and the family lost their possessions. They moved to a new house on the other side of town on Rose Street, which Williams's mother soon turned into another boarding house. The house had a small garden on which they grew diverse crops that Williams and his sister Irene sold around Georgiana. At a chance meeting in Georgiana, Williams met U.S. Representative J. Lister Hill while Hill was campaigning across Alabama. He told Hill that his mother was interested in talking to him about his problems and her need to collect Elonzo's disability pension. With Hill's help, the family began collecting the money. Despite his medical condition, the family managed fairly well financially throughout the Great Depression.
How did Hank Williams die?
Less than 48 hours later, Hank Williams was dead. His official cause of death was listed as heart failure, but there are many who say otherwise. “I think he had a profound sadness in him,” says Marc Abraham, writer and director of I Saw The Light.
How long did Williams live before he died?
But, according to a new story from the New York Post, one of the biggest issues of debate about Williams’ life remained untouched by the movie: His mysterious death, something that the singer predicted less than 48 hours before he died.
What happened to Williams in 1953?
About six or seven hours later, on the morning of Jan. 1, 1953, Carr realized his passenger was dead and already beset with rigor mortis, ” the New York Post writes.
Where did Charles Carr drive the I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry Singer?
College student Charles Carr had been hired to drive the “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry Singer” to West Virginia, but winter weather made it impossible to reach the venue. The concert was canceled and Carr and Williams instead stopped at the Andrew Johnson Hotel in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Did Hank Williams die in I Saw the Light?
The truth about Hank Williams ‘ death may never be known. For that reason, the new biopic I Saw The Light opted to avoid the subject of Williams’ death. “I actually wrote 13 pages for that scene but took them out because they felt superfluous,” says biopic writer and director Marc Abraham.
Was Williams a doorman at the Jackson Hotel?
But, a Knoxville native who claims to have been a doorman at the Andrew Jackson Hotel shared a different story. He says Williams was conscious and joking when he left. And, Carr claims that he spoke briefly with the singer in the car after they left the Knoxville hotel.
How did Hank Williams die?
He died of a heart attack in a drug- and alcohol-induced stupor in the backseat of a car, probably in West Virginia, while being driven from Knoxville, Tennessee, to a concert in Canton, Ohio. Red Foley, Roy Acuff, and Ernest Tubb, among others, sang Williams’s gospel-influenced “I Saw the Light” at his funeral, which was attended by thousands. His son, Hank Williams, Jr., a successful country performer in his own right (like Williams’s grandson, Hank Williams III), sang Williams’s songs in the film biography Your Cheatin’ Heart (1964). In 2010 the Pulitzer Prize board awarded Williams a special citation for “his craftsmanship as a songwriter who expressed universal feelings with poignant simplicity and played a pivotal role in transforming country music into a major musical and cultural force in American life.”
When did Hank Williams start playing guitar?
Probably taught his first chords by Payne, Williams began playing the guitar at age 8. He made his radio debut at age 13; formed his first band, Hank Williams and his Drifting Cowboys, at age 14; and early on began wearing the cowboy hats and western clothing that later were so associated with him.
How old was Hank Williams when he died?
A lonely and troubled man, Williams struggled with chronic pain and substance abuse issues that would hinder his success and ultimately lead to his untimely death at just 29-years-old. Williams lived fast, both personally and ...
What was Hank Williams' passion?
It was there Hank would be given the opportunity to explore what would become his life's two greatest passions: music and alcohol. Music was a big part of life in the lumber camps, and Williams received his first exposure to true Southern country music.
What band did Hank Williams play with?
With his WSFA wages, he linked up with another young musician, Smith Adair, and formed a band called the Drifting Cowboys, per Sing a Sad Song. They began to tour around Alabama, charging 25 cents a show. The only problem was that Williams, still school age, had to arrange performance dates around his school schedule. In October of 1939, he dropped out so he could tour with the band full time, per Lovesick Blues.
Why did Hank Williams leave the Drifting Cowboys?
When America joined World War II in 1941, the Drifting Cowboys were starting to come apart. By 1942, all the members of the band were drafted except for Hank Williams. Due to his bad back, he received a 4-F deferment from the draft, but there was no hope for continuing the band, per Lovesick Blues. Most young musicians were leaving to fight in the war, and any remaining potential replacements refused to work with Williams on account of his drunkenness and general unreliability. The WSFA radio station was also fed up with his behavior, and in August 1942, Williams was let go from his job at the WSFA for "habitual drunkenness," according to I Saw the Light.
What was the name of the song that Williams sang?
But in the short amount of time he had, Williams gave the world a series of hits, from "Cold, Cold Heart" to "Hey Good Lookin"' to "I Saw the Light, " that delighted fans and influenced music for decades to come.
Where was Hank's mother?
Hank's mother, Lillie, and father, Lon, had briefly settled in a rural area of Alabama called Mount Olive, to start their family. Lillie gave birth to Hank on September 17, 1923, per Biography . Hank was born with a spinal condition, known as spina bifida occulta, which was not well understood at the time.
Where did Hank the dog live?
When Hank turned 10, in the fall of 1933, his mother sent him to live with his aunt and uncle in a lumber camp 50 miles west in Monroe County, Alabama.
Who was Hank Williams?
Long before there was Janis Joplin or Jimi Hendrix or Kurt Cobain --- self-destructive stars who flamed out at their zenith --- there was Hiram " Hank " Williams, a hard-drinking, rough-around-the-edges Alabama country boy who wrote simple, heart-tugging songs about loneliness and then, still young, died alone in the back seat of his car. ...
Who was the only witness to Hank Williams' death?
Charles Carr told the AJC in 2002 he was the only witness when Hank Williams died. Carr was 17, a freshman on break from Auburn. He was driving Hank Williams, 29, who died that night. Williams was a country legend whose life had collapsed. Celebrity Buzz.
What did Carr remember about Williams?
Carr remembers Williams being in good spirits as the trip began. They told jokes, sang songs and traded tales as they navigated the two-lane highways of the pre-interstate South.
How many songs have been written about Hank Williams?
An off-Broadway play, " Hank Williams: Lost Highway" is currently running in New York. A Web site dedicated to Williams estimates that more than 700 songs have been written about the singer, whose own recording career lasted only five years.
Why did the Williams show go to Knoxville?
The flight took off at 3:30 p.m., but was turned back due to the bad weather , so they found themselves stuck in Knoxville for the night. The Charleston show was a bust, but they still hoped to make Canton.
Where did the Williams family spend the night?
They spent the night at a hotel in Birmingham and got an early start on New Year's Eve as the weather continued to worsen. Carr remembers Williams buying a pint of bonded bourbon in Fort Payne, Ala. He also made one waiter very happy.
Who was the last person to ride Hank Williams?
Hank Williams' last ride: Driver recalls lonesome end. Charles Carr told the AJC in 2002 he was the only witness when Hank Williams died. Carr was 17, a freshman on break from Auburn. He was driving Hank Williams, 29, who died that night. Williams was a country legend whose life had collapsed.
How old was Hank Williams when he died?
He was only 29. The Death Car -- its back seat off-limits to everyone -- is the centerpiece of the Hank Williams Museum in his home town of Montgomery. Manager Beth Petty is as protective of the exhibits as she is of Hank's legacy.
What was Hank Williams wearing when he died?
Hank was wearing a Nudie suit when he died. It's also on exhibit, and resembles a superhero outfit or a jumpsuit from Space 1999. The Death Car itself, a beautiful 1952 Cadillac, was put to practical use for years after Hank's death by the Williams family. Hank Williams Jr. drove it when he was in high school.
What country singer died in the back seat of his Cadillac?
Montgomery, Alabama. Hank Williams was country music's first megastar. The prolific musician and performer wrote songs such as "Your Cheatin' Heart," drank too much whiskey, had family problems. He died in the back seat of his Cadillac while being driven to a gig on New Year's Day 1953. Heart failure and hard living did him in.
Where is Hank Williams Museum?
Hank Williams Museum. Downtown, on the east side of Commerce St. just north of Bibb St. Three blocks west of city hall, or seven blocks east of I-65 exit 172 .
When did the Death Car return to Montgomery?
On February 8, 1999, the Death Car returned to Montgomery with the opening of the Hank Williams Museum, delighting its founder, Cecil Jackson, who as a teenager had rotated the tires on the vehicle a week before Hank's death. Cecil (who passed away in 2010) commissioned an oil painting of Hank's last departure from Montgomery -- his 17-year-old ...
Did Elvis Presley drive Hank in a blue Cadillac?
Some friendly advice to visitors who may not grasp all the nuance of country music history: don't mention Hank and Elvis Presley in the same breath. Hank was being driven around in his eggshell blue Cadillac in 1952, long before Elvis purchased his first Pink Cadillac in early 1955.
Hank Williams Jr. Death Fact Check
Hank is alive and kicking and is currently 72 years old. Please ignore rumors and hoaxes. If you have any unfortunate news that this page should be update with, please let us know using this form.
Hank Williams Jr. Coronavirus
Hank Williams Jr. does not have the coronavirus. We haven't heard any unfortunate news about Hank Williams Jr. having the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Hank Williams Jr. - Biography
Randall Hank Williams, better known as Hank Williams, Jr. and Bocephus, is an American singer-songwriter and musician. His musical style is often considered a blend of Southern rock, blues, and traditional country.
Overview
Hiram "Hank" Williams (September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. Regarded as one of the most significant and influential American singers and songwriters of the 20th century, he recorded 55 singles (five released posthumously) that reached the top 10 of the Billboard Country & Western Best Sellers chart, including 12 that reached N…
Early life
Williams was born Hiram Williams on September 17, 1923, in the rural community of Mount Olive in Butler County, Alabama. He was the third child of Jessie Lillybelle "Lillie" (née Skipper) (1898–1955) and Elonzo Huble "Lon" Williams (1891–1970). Elonzo was a railroad engineer for the W. T. Smith lumber company and was drafted during World War I, serving from July 1918 to June 1…
Career
In July 1937, the Williams and McNeils opened a boarding house on South Perry Street in downtown Montgomery. It was at this time that Williams decided to change his name informally from Hiram to Hank. Williams told a story in later concerts that attributed his name change to a cat's yowling. The authors of Hank Williams: The Biography pointed out that "Hank" sounded more "like a hill…
Personal life
On December 15, 1944, Williams married Audrey Sheppard. It was her second marriage and his first. Their son, Randall Hank Williams (now known as Hank Williams Jr.), was born on May 26, 1949. The marriage was always turbulent and rapidly disintegrated, and Williams developed serious problems with alcohol, morphine, and other painkillers prescribed for him to ease the severe back pain caused by his spina bifida occulta. The couple divorced on May 29, 1952. In Ju…
Death
Williams was scheduled to perform at the Municipal Auditorium in Charleston, West Virginia, on December 31, 1952. Advance ticket sales totaled $3,500. That day, Williams could not fly because of an ice storm in the Nashville area; he hired a college student, Charles Carr, to drive him to the concerts. Carr called the Charleston auditorium from Knoxville to say that Williams would not arrive on t…
Legacy
Williams has been called "the King of Country Music" in popular culture. Alabama governor Gordon Persons officially proclaimed September 21 "Hank Williams Day". The first celebration, in 1954, featured the unveiling of a monument at the Cramton Bowl that was later placed at the gravesite of Williams. The ceremony featured Ferlin Husky interpreting "I Saw the Light". Will…
In popular culture
• In the 1964 biopic Your Cheatin' Heart, Williams in portrayed onscreen by actor George Hamilton.
• In the 1980 Canadian film, Hank Williams: The Show He Never Gave, Williams is portrayed by singer Sneezy Waters.
• In the 2015 biopic I Saw the Light, English actor Tom Hiddleston appears as Williams and Elizabeth Olsen appears as Audrey Williams.
Further reading
• Williams, Lycrecia; Dale Vinicur (1989). Still in Love with You: Hank and Audrey Williams. Nashville, Tenn.: Rutledge Hill Press. ISBN 978-1-55853-105-5. OCLC 42469829.
• Rivers, Jerry (1967). Thurston Moore (ed.). Hank Williams: From Life to Legend. Denver: Heather Enterprises. LCCN 67030642. OCLC 902165.