NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Top40 Charts) -
Waylon Jennings died Wednesday after a long battle with diabetes-related health problems. He was 64.
Jennings, a singer, songwriter and guitarist, 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. His rebellious songs and brash attitude defined the outlaw movement in country music.
Jennings had been plagued with diabetes-related health problems in recent years that made it difficult for him to walk. In December, his left foot was amputated at a Phoenix hospital.
Jennings and his wife, singer Jessi Colter, sold their home in Nashville more than a year ago and moved to Chandler, Ariz. They held an auction before the move, offering up items like "Leon," a wood carving of an Indian chief that was Jennings' stage mascot for 20 years.
In 1959, Jennings' 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. "The Big Bopper' Richardson. 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 Nelson, Jennings performed duets like "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys," "Luckenbach" and "Good Hearted Woman." Those 1970s 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 TV show "The Dukes of Hazzard." He sang its theme song, which was a million seller.
He often refused to attend music awards shows on the grounds that performers should not compete against each other. Despite those sentiments, 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. The rule was eventually dropped.
Born in Littlefield, Texas, Jennings became a radio disc jockey at 14 and formed his own band not long afterward. He and Holly were teen-age friends in Lubbock, Texas, and Jennings was in Holly's band. Holly also produced Jennings' first record.
By the early 1960s Jennings was playing regularly at a nightclub in Phoenix. In 1963, he was signed by Herb Alpert's A&M Records, then was signed by RCA in Nashville shortly thereafter by Chet Atkins . In Nashville, he and Cash became friends and roommates. His hit records began in the mid-1960s and his heyday was the mid-1970s. His "Greatest Hits" album in 1979 sold 4 million - a rare accomplishment in country music for that era.
In the mid-1980s, he joined with Nelson, Cash and Kristofferson to form the Highwaymen. He made occasional forays into TV movies, including "Stagecoach" and "Oklahoma City Dolls," plus the Sesame Street movie ` Follow That Bird' and the B-movie "Nashville Rebel."
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 and Colter, his fourth wife, married in 1969. They had one son, Shooter.
Waylon Jennings Discography
No. 1 singles by country singer Waylon Jennings, who died Wednesday:
"This Time," 1974
"I'm a Ramblin' Man," 1974
"Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way," 1975
"Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)," 1977
"The Wurlitzer Prize (I Don't Want to Get Over You)," 1977
"I've Always Been Crazy," 1978
"Amanda," 1979
"Come With Me," 1979
"I Ain't Living Long Like This," 1980
"Theme From the Dukes of Hazzard (Good Ol' Boys)," 1980
"Lucille (You Won't Do Your Daddy's Will)", 1983
"Highwayman," 1985
"Rose in Paradise," 1987
Duets:
"Good Hearted Woman" with Willie Nelson , 1975
"Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys" with Willie Nelson, 1978
"Just to Satisfy You" with Willie Nelson, 1982
