Jerry Reed (Born Jerry Hubbard)
March 20, 1937 – September 1, 2008
Jerry Reed was a country singer, songwriter and musician who may be just as well known for his string of supporting actor roles throughout the ’70s and ’80s. Reed was already writing music while in high school and by the time he was 18, he already had a publishing deal. His first breakthrough came when Gene Vincent made his “Skinny Legs” a rockabilly hit in 1958. After a two-year term in the military, Reed headed to Nashville where his career really took off. He became a popular session player and his songs were starting to get noticed. He released his first significant country hit with “Guitar Man” in 1967. Elvis Presley soon covered it, making it an even bigger hit. Presley would go on to record three more of Reed’s songs. Reed went on to have many big country hits over the couple of decades including “Amos Moses,” “When You’re Hot You’re Hot,” “Lord Mr. Ford,” and “She’s Got The Goldmine (I Got The Shaft.” In the mid ’70s, began a film career that included the three popular Smokey and The Bandit films alongside his friend, Burt Reynolds. Reed died of emphysema at the age of 71.
Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.
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