I started writing songs after I heard Hank Williams.
-Bob Dylan to Les Crane, February 1965
If it wasn’t for Elvis and Hank Williams, I couldn’t be doing what I do today.
-Bob Dylan to Robert Shelton, June 1978
To me, Hank Williams is still the best songwriter.
-Bob Dylan to Paul Zollo, April 1991
Hiram King “Hank” Williams (September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953) was an American singer-songwriter and musician. Regarded as one of the most significant and influential American singers and songwriters of the 20th century, Williams recorded 35 singles (five released posthumously) that reached the Top 10 of the Billboard Country & Western Best Sellers chart, including 11 that ranked number one (three posthumously).
Continue reading Bob Dylan Sings Hank Williams (8 different songs) →
It can be explained in just one word: sincerity. When a hillbilly sings a crazy song, he feels crazy. When he sings, ‘I Laid My Mother Away,’ he sees her a-laying right there in the coffin. He sings more sincere than most entertainers because the hillbilly was raised rougher than most entertainers. You got to know a lot about hard work. You got to have smelt a lot of mule manure before you can sing like a hillbilly. The people that have been raised something like the way the hillbilly has…. knows what he sings about and appreciates it
~Hank Williams (on the success of Country Music)
Nobody had a talent for making suffering enjoyable like Hank Williams
~Kris Kristofferson
Hank Williams was the first influence I would think.
~Bob Dylan (to Billy James, Oct 1961)
I started writing songs after I heard Hank Williams.
~Bob Dylan (The Les Crane Show, 17 Feb 1965)
Check out this post: Bob Dylan covers Hank Williams
Cold Cold Heart:
From Wikipedia:
| Birth name |
Hiram King Williams |
| Also known as |
The Lovesick Blues Boy
Lovesick
Luke the Drifter
Hank Williams, Sr.
The Hillbilly Shakespeare |
| Born |
September 17, 1923
Mount Olive, Butler County, Alabama |
| Died |
January 1, 1953 (aged 29)
Oak Hill, West Virginia |
| Genres |
Country, Western, gospel,blues, honky-tonk, folk |
| Occupations |
Songwriter
Musician |
| Instruments |
Vocals, guitar |
| Years active |
1937–1952 |
| Labels |
Sterling, MGM |
| Associated acts |
Drifting Cowboys
Audrey Williams |
| Website |
www.hankwilliams.com |
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