Waylon Jennings, A Star and Outlaw of Country Music ,Is Dead at 64

New York Times/A.P. ^ | 2-14-02 | NA

[SpencerRoane]

February 14, 2002

Waylon Jennings, a Star and Outlaw of Country Music, Is Dead at 64

Associated Press NASHVILLE, Feb. 13 (AP) — Waylon Jennings, a singer, songwriter and guitarist who defined the outlaw movement in country music, died today at his home in Chandler, Ariz. He was 64.

Schatzi Hageman, a spokeswoman for the singer, said Mr. Jennings died peacefully after a long battle with diabetes-related health problems.

Mr. Jennings recorded 60 albums and had 16 No. 1 country singles in a career that spanned five decades and began when he played bass for Buddy Holly. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in October.

In 1959 his career was nearly cut short by tragedy soon after it began.

He was scheduled to fly on the light plane that crashed and killed Holly, Ritchie Valens and J. P. Richardson, a k a the Big Bopper. Mr. Jennings gave up his seat on the plane to Richardson, who was ill and wanted to fly rather than travel by bus with those left behind.

With his pal Willie Nelson, Mr. Jennings performed duets like "Mammas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys," "Luckenbach, Texas" and "Good-Hearted Woman." Those 1970's songs nurtured a progressive sound and restless spirit embraced later by Travis Tritt, Charlie Daniels, Steve Earle and others.

His resonant, authoritative voice also was used to narrate the popular television show "The Dukes of Hazzard." He sang its theme song, which was a million seller.

"I aimed the narration at children and it made it work," he said in a 1987 interview.

He traditionally wore a black cowboy hat and ebony attire that accented his black beard and mustache. Often reclusive when not onstage, he played earthy music with a spirited, hard edge. Mr. Jennings had a well- defined image that matched well with his history of battling record producers to do music his way.

About his independence, he said, "There's always one more way to do something — your way."

Some of his album titles nourished his brash persona: "Lonesome, On'ry and Mean," "I've Always Been Crazy," "Nashville Rebel," "Ladies Love Outlaws" and "Wanted: The Outlaws."

He often refused to attend music awards shows on grounds performers should not compete against one another. Despite those sentiments, Mr. Jennings won two Grammy Awards and four Country Music Association Awards. He did not attend his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame last year.

For about 10 years he declined to appear on the Grand Ole Opry because a full set of drums was forbidden at the time. That rule was eventually dropped.

"I've never compromised, and people respect that," he said in a 1992 interview.

Born in Littlefield, Tex., on June 15, 1937, Mr. Jennings became a radio disc jockey at 14 and formed his own band not long afterward. He and Holly were teenage friends in Lubbock, Tex., and Mr. Jennings was in Holly's band. Holly also produced Mr. Jennings's first record.

"Mainly what I learned from Buddy was an attitude," Mr. Jennings once said. "He loved music, and he taught me that it shouldn't have any barriers to it."

By the early 1960's Mr. Jennings was playing regularly at a nightclub in Phoenix. In 1963 he was signed by A&M Records, then was signed by RCA in Nashville shortly thereafter by Chet Atkins. Once in Nashville he and Johnny Cash became friends and roommates.

His hit records began in the mid- 1960's, and his heyday was the mid- 1970's. His "Greatest Hits" album in 1979 sold four million, a rare accomplishment in country music for that era.

In the mid-1980's he joined with Mr. Nelson, Mr. Cash and Kris Kristofferson to form the quartet the Highwaymen, which recorded together and did concert tours.

"I'd like to be remembered for my music, not necessarily by what people see when they see us, but what they feel when they talk about you," he said in 1984. "Some people have their music. My music has me."

His other hit singles included "I'm a Ramblin' Man," "Amanda," "Lucille," "I've Always Been Crazy" and "Rose in Paradise."

Mr. Jennings and his fourth wife, the singer Jessi Colter, sold their home in Nashville more than a year ago and moved to Chandler. In addition to Ms. Colter, whom he married in 1969, he is survived by their son, Shooter; a daughter, Tammy Lynn; his step-daughter, Jennifer; and four children from previous marriages: two sons, Terry and Buddy, and two daughters, Julie and Deanna.

He made occasional forays into television movies, including "Stagecoach" and "Oklahoma City Dolls," plus the "Sesame Street" film "Follow That Bird" and the B-movie "Nashville Rebel."

He has said he spent 21 years on drugs and had a $1,500-a-day cocaine habit. "I did more drugs than anybody you ever saw in your life," he told the Country Music Association's Close Up magazine in 1994.

In 1977 he was arrested at a Nashville recording studio and charged with conspiracy and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. The charges were later dismissed.

He kicked the habit in 1984 by leasing a house in Arizona and going cold turkey, he said.

Of his outlaw image, Mr. Jennings once said: "It was a good marketing tool. In a way, I am that way. You start messing with my music, I get mean. As long as you are honest and up front with me, I will be the same with you. But I still do things my way."

[SpencerRoane]

My apologies if this was posted earlier. Jennings was a great creative force in American Country Music. He will be missed.

[rockfish59]

damn! i can't believe it!
i saw him once in concert and he got into an argument with a heckler in the audience.
he was ornery all right.

[parsifal]

I once passed a joint to Willie Nelson in a bar in Shreveport. (Many years ago. I did not inhale. Really) Can't remember if it was Waylon or David Allan Coe who was there with him. Oh BTW, bump. Almost forgot that. parsy.

[ppaul]

Wailin' for Waylon
No More Waltz Across Texas

Waylon Jennings 1937-2002

by Jacci Howard Bear

We won't be going to Luckenbach, Texas with Willie, Waylon, and the boys anymore. The original outlaw and country music legend, Waylon Jennings, died Wednesday, February 13, 2002.

Birth of a Legend

Born June 15, 1937 in Littlefield, Texas, Waylon was introduced early to music by his father who played guitar in Texas dancehalls. A young Waylon befriended Buddy Holly, played bass on Holly's last tour, and at the last minute gave up his seat to the Big Bopper on Holly's ill-fated plane trip.

After that near-miss with death, Waylon returned to radio, moved to Phoenix and played with his own band, and started recording. His first release "That's The Chance I'll Have To Take" made the US country charts. The music kept coming, including the classic "Only Daddy That'll Walk The Line."

Despite illness and struggles with the business of music in Nashville, Waylon filled the 1970s with hits and critically-acclaimed albums. He was the Country Music Association's Male Vocalist of the Year in 1975, a year before the birth of the Outlaw Movement.

Ladies (& Gents) Loved This Outlaw

1976 saw the release of the first platinum album ever recorded in Nashville. Teamed with Willie Nelson and Jessi Colter, "Wanted: The Outlaws" swept the CMA awards that year. Hit after hit followed including "Luckenbach, Texas" and "Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys," with Willie Nelson. The first platinum album by a solo country artist, "Ol' Waylon" came in 1977.

In addition to music, Waylon has been a commercial spokesperson and a movie and TV actor. Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in October 2001, his career spanned over 30 years with 60 albums and 16 number one singles. Waylon is survived by his wife, Jessi Colter, and their son Buddy.

The Music Plays On...

Waylon Jennings will be missed by fans everywhere. But his music will live on in the hearts of those of us who grew up listening to his music and a whole new generation as well. When my country music loving pre-teen daughters heard the news of his death on the radio they were as saddened as I was. Their favorite Waylon songs include "Waltz Across Texas," "Ladies Love Outlaws," and the "Theme from the Dukes of Hazzard (Good Ol' Boys)."

Link to article HERE.

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You know his mama loved him.

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[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

Gonna miss you Waylon. Say hi to Hank, Lefty and Ernest for me...

[Dakmar]

outlaw bump

[SamAdams76]

Damn! That sucks!

[I got the rope]

Boy it sure would be nice to hear some Waylon right now.

[Hank Rearden]

What's with bumping all the "Dead Again" threads today?

First Weezie Jefferson, now Waylon.

Last I heard, both are still quite dead.

[Joe 6-pack]

Weezie Jefferson....Waylon Jennings...Can't you see? It's not dead threads, it's the WJ threads....

[Hank Rearden]

Ooooooooooo.

cue Twilight Zone theme

[Dog Gone]

Waylon, dammit. We could have used at least one last album.

[Rebelbase]

Oh no!

Waylon and Willie introduced me to country music with this album:

[Rebelbase]

HAR! Talk about important news that 3 years too late!

[Hazzardgate]

[Samwise]

Oh no, not Waylon too.

[hollywood]

Bad week to have a surname of Jennings. How sad.

[Professional Engineer]

ping

[Dog Gone]

I guess the good news is that we get all his social security money without paying a dime back to his family.

[Semper911]

What's with bumping all the "Dead Again" threads today?

I think it's hysterical. Look at all the people on this thread who think it just happened!