Country

Died On This Date (August 19, 1979) Dorsey Burnette / Rockabilly Pioneer

Dorsey Burnette
December 28, 1932 – August 19, 1979

Dorsey Burnette was born into a musical family that included brother, Johnny Burnette.  But early on in life, the brothers pursued another dream, boxing, each becoming Golden Gloves champs.  In 1949, they met fellow pugilist, Paul Burlison who also shared an interest in music.  They soon formed the Rock and Roll Trio which would become one of the foundations of American rockabilly.  Dorsey continued to perform with the group and later as a solo artist well into the ’70s.  His music found a home with rockabilly, pop and country fans alike.  Dorsey Burnette died of a massive coronary on August 19, 1979.  He was just 46.

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Dorsey Burnette

Died On This Date (August 15, 1990) Lew DeWitt / Statler Brothers

Lew DeWitt
March 12, 1938 – August 15, 1990

dewittLew DeWitt is best remembered as a singer and guitarist in the Statler Brothers.  He also penned a handful of their songs, including “Since Then,” and “Flowers On The Wall” which made it to #4 on the Billboard singles chart in 1965.  The song found a new audience thanks to its prominent placement in Pulp Fiction in 1994.  In 1982, DeWitt left the group for health reasons.  In 1990, DeWitt passed away after years of struggle with  Chron’s disease.

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Died On This Date (August 14, 2006) Johnny Duncan / Country Singer

Johnny Duncan
October 5, 1938 – August 14, 2006

johnny-duncanJohnny Duncan was a prolific country singer and guitarist who could count 14 studio albums to his name.   Born into a talented family that included cousins Eddie Seals, Dan Seals and Jimmy Seals, Duncan knew early on that he wanted to be a professional singer.  He got his chance while working as a disc jockey outside of Nashville when he was signed to Columbia Records.  Over the years he charted over 30 singles, included several popular duets with Janie Fricke.  As a writer, he had songs covered by Charley Pride, Chet Atkins, Conway Twitty and Marty Robbins.  Johnny Duncan suffered a fatal heart attack on August 14, 2006.  He was 67.

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Johnny Duncan

Died On This Date (August 13, 2009) Sherwood Cryer / Owned Gilley’s Honky Tonk

Charley Sherwood Cryer
September 2, 1926 – August 13, 2009

Photo by Christopher Gray
Photo by Christopher Gray

Along with partner Mickey Gilley, Sherwood Cryer owned the Pasadena, Texas honky-tonk, Gilley’s which became world-renowned thanks to the hit 1980 film Urban Cowboy, starring John Travolta and Debra Winger.  Cryer discovered Gilley performing in a local club and convinced him to open up the club in 1971.  With Gilley on stage, cold Lone Star beer, and several mechanical bulls, the club helped launch a pop-culture phenomenon that was second only to disco less than a decade earlier.  During its heyday, the bar’s stage featured some of the biggest names in country music.  Gilley, himself becoming one of those stars, thanks in part to Cryer’s business savvy.  When the Urban Cowboy filmmakers wanted to recreate the bar on a sound stage, it was Cryer who convinced them to film the now-famous scenes right there in the club.   After the movie’s release, Gilley’s became one of the biggest tourist attractions in Texas.  Unfortunately, the club’s new popularity drove away the regulars, and eventually caused the break-up of Cryer and Gilley’s partnership and the closure of the bar.   The building burned down in 1989 in what was ruled arson.  Sherwood Cryer passed away at the age of 81.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Died On This Date (August 11, 2008) Don Helms / Played Steel Guitar For Hank Williams

Don Helms
February 28, 1927 – August 11, 2008

Don Helms’ signature steel guitar can be heard on over 100 Hank Williams recordings.  Throughout his career that spanned over 60 years, Helms played on such classic recordings as “Cash On The Barrelhead” (Louvin Brothers), “Walkin’ After Midnight” (Patsy Cline), and “Long Black Veil” (Lefty Frizzell).  He also played with Johnny Cash, Vince Gill and Hank Williams Jr., among many more.  Don Helms died from complications of heart surgery and diabetes.

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