Died On This Date (April 4, 1980) Red Sovine / Popular Country Singer
themusicsover Woodrow “Red” Sovine
July 17, 1917 – April 4, 1980
Red Sovine was an American country singer who was best known for his trucker songs of the ’60s. Thanks to their strong narratives, these tunes resonated not only with truck drivers of the day, but with rockabilly bands and fans, both then and now. Born in Charleston, WV, Sovine eventually settled in Shreveport, LA where he began to get noticed thanks to his appearances on KWKH’s “Louisana Hayride” program. His “Hayride” co-star, Hank Williams helped him land a recording contract with MGM Records. The early ’50s found Sovine working with Webb Pierce, with whom he duetted on his first #1 hit record, a cover of George Jones’ “Why Baby Why.” He continued to perform and record well into the ’70s, but in a twist of irony, Red Sovine, the king of truck driving songs, died of injuries after crashing his van while having a heart attack.
What You Should Own
Webb Pierce was a popular country singer whose career spanned the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. Based on chart success, he was the most popular country performer of the 1950s. His biggest hit, “There Stands The Glass” is considered one country music’s greatest songs and has been recorded by the likes of Willie Nelson, Wanda Jackson, Van Morrison, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Up until his retirement in 1982, Pierce charted 96 singles. Besides, “There Stands The Glass,” his most popular were “In The Jailhouse Now,” and “Why Baby Why.” Pierce was just as well-known for his lavish lifestyle as he was for his music. He drove two Cadillacs that were lined with silver dollars, wore elaborate Nudie suits, and had a $30,000 swimming pool fashioned after a guitar. Webb Pierce was 69 when he died of pancreatic cancer on February 24, 1991.