Waylon Jennings

A pioneer of the so-called "outlaw" movement, Waylon was among the first performers to incorporate elements of rock and roll with country. His growling, baritone voice and innovative style influenced numerous artists and expanded the boundaries of the country music industry. 

One of the most prolific performers in the country field, Waylon Jennings' biggest commercial success came in 1977 with "Luckenbach, Texas (Back To The Basics Of Love)."

 Born in Littlefield, Texas, Waylon grew up listening to Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams, Senior; Ernest Tubb and Webb Pierce. Other influences included blues artists B.B. King and Bobbie Bland. During his early teenage years, Waylon worked as a disc jockey at local radio stations.

 In 1954, he moved to nearby Lubbock, where he met Buddy Holly. Four years later, Waylon headed to New York, and began playing bass in Holly's band, "The Crickets." 

Waylon once described his initiation to big city life. "In 1958," he said, "I came to New York and they almost ate me alive. The first thing I did was bought a trench coat and one of those James Cagney ganster hats, because I knew what people in New York looked like. I love New York [but] it's kind of like where I grew up in Littlefield, Texas. You know where to go and where not to go."

 In February 1959, Waylon performed with Buddy Holly for the last time. He was originally scheduled to be on the ill-fated flight that claimed the lives of Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson, better known as The Big Bopper. Devastated by the loss, Waylon returned to radio work for two years before forming his own band, "The Waylors." He soon caught the attention of industry executives from Los Angeles and Nashville, and in 1965, signed his first major recording contract with RCA Records.
 
 

Jessi Colter

During the next two decades, Waylon established himself as an individualist, who earned his success without giving in to the ideas of producers. His 1976 collaboration with his wife, Jessi Colter, Tompall Glaser and Willie Nelson became the first million-selling album by a country act. In addition, the collection earned that year's Country Music Association award for Best Album. Waylon and Willie also won the 1976 Best Single and Best Vocal Duo honors for their duet, "Good Hearted Woman." 

In the 1980s, Waylon continued to dominate the country charts as a solo act, and with The Highwaymen, a group he formed with Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Cash. During that decade, Jennings also overcame a 21-year drug habit.

 When country music's popularity skyrocketed in the '90s, Waylon told his record company that he had no plans to compete with the dozens of contemporary newcomers. 

He was, however, quick to credit the young performers with expanding country's demographics. "Some things have happened in Country music," he said. "Like Garth Brooks, he brought children from six to 14 into Country music. We never cultivated a young audience. Country music, at one time, was almost a closed society. If you didn't look a certain way, sing a certain way, and there was a big thought that if you didn't live in the country, you couldn't sing Country music, when actually the main thing about Country music is you have to love it." 

Never completely comfortable with his success, Waylon referred to himself as "an introverted person in an extroverted business." Interviews with Waylon often included comments about his "outlaw" reputation. He said, "The biggest misconception would be that I'm a guy that would walk into a room and sit down with my back to the wall and kick a waitress and punch out a bartender. Seems like that's what they want my image to be. Actually, I'm just a good old boy." 

In 1993, RCA Records released a 40-song anthology of Waylon's first 20 years with the label. Over his five-decade career, Waylon recorded 60 albums, and had 16 Number One Country singles. 

Jennings was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in October. Diabetes-related health problems in recent years made it difficult for him to walk. In December, Waylon's left foot was amputated. He is survived by Jessi Colter, his fourth wife, and a son, Shooter.

 Country legend Waylon Jennings, dead at 64.
 
 

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