Posted on 02/23/2016 10:05:54 PM PST by BeadCounter
Sonny James, a country hall of fame singer who recorded smooth romantic ballads such as "Young Love" and turned pop songs into country hits, died Feb. 22 in Nashville. He was 87.
Family friend Gary Robble, who was the lead singer of Mr. James' backing band, announced the death but did not cite a cause.
Mr. James, who also was a songwriter, guitarist and fiddler, was promoted as the "Southern Gentleman" because of his gentle demeanor. Raised in Alabama, he started his music career with his family's band and, before he reached high school age, he already had performed on several country music radio shows.
Under the guidance of Ken Nelson, the producer who headed the country division of Capitol Records, Mr. James scored his biggest hit, "Young Love," (1956), which sold 3 million copies and became a No. 1 hit on the country and pop charts the next year. A decade later, he started an impressive run on top of the country charts with 16 consecutive No. 1 songs between 1967 and 1971.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Went to watch him a long time ago...I believe it was in the early 70s.
Great performer.
Although I loved his music, never considered him country. I’m probably a majority of one with this opinion.
At that concert, he was touring with the guy who did country bumpkin and I will be danged if I can remember the guys name...another great country performer. Cal Smith? I dunno know.
I don't necessarily dispute that, his original song, "Young Love" really is more of a pop success, a golden oldie, a ballad; Sha Na Na and many people have done that one. The articles say he played fiddle so perhaps some of his songs took on a countrified sound.
I listen to “Young Love” all the time in the car. A wonderful song.
Thanks everybody for any responses, I really enjoy quite a few of his songs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFyeBku9kQg
His version of Only the Lonely.
Listen to him run that guitar. That is really what I remember about his performing. He could sing and run a guitar like nobody I ever heard. String the cords together is what i mean about running a guitar.
RIP.
In my opinion, that's when country music was really good, probably the tail-end of its golden age.
Yup, all the greats back then. It was COUNTRY AND WESTERN and not all this rockabilly stuff like today.
A whole lot of them changed from rock and roll to country also. They could play and sing in several cords and not one cottin pickin cord like they do now.
A lot of them sound like drones now...
I remember seeing and hearing him a lot during my youth. Always a pleasure to hear. RIP
I saw him once when I was a kid ... he played a show with Claude King (Wolverton Mountain) in the early 60’s up in Maine at the Lone Star Ranch.
bookmark
A great classic! It is a real beauty and one of the best songs from the '50s.
Condolences to family and friends of Sonny James. R.I.P., sir.
love
I could have gone happily for the rest of my life without being reminded of that song.
Thanks for the correction. I should double check my memory at times.
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