Hank Williams (1923-1953) is regarded as being one of the greatest ever stars of country music. He had eleven number one hits in the five years leading up to his death, which was probably caused by alcohol and drugs. His songs have lived on after his death, and many have been covered by top artists in many musical genres, as well as by fellow country stars such as Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline. The Hank Williams Museum is in Montgomery, Alabama, where Hank lived from 1937 until his death.
Hank Williams was born in a log cabin, in Mount Olive, Alabama. He was christened Hiram King Williams. It is said that he was named after King Hiram I of Tyre, a contemporary of King Solomon, and a man who according to legend, was one of the three men who founded the Masons.
Hiram suffered from birth with spina bifida, which caused considerable pain. This was a cause of his later alcohol and drug abuse. In 1937 he renamed himself Hank, and managed to get noticed by WSFA radio in Montgomery. After some appearances on radio he was awarded a salary of $15 per week, for which he did two shows every week.
The salary from WSFA helped Hank start his own band, the Drifting Cowboys. Hank dropped out of school in 1939 so the band could play full time, but when America joined the war in 1941 most of the original band were drafted into the military. Many of the replacements refused to play with Hank because of his alcohol problems. He was only 18 at the time. In 1942 he was fired by WSFA for drunkenness.
Hank's career in country music continued throughout the war, and in 1943 Audrey Sheppard became his manager. His first hits were released in 1946 and 1947 under the Sterling Records label, after which he moved to MGM Records. His first record with MGM was a country music hit, and in 1949 his version of Lovesick Blues became a hit with mainstream music lovers. He had many more number one hits before his death.
Hank died in the back of his Cadillac in January 1953 while being driven through West Virginia. His place of death is usually thought to be Oak Hill in that state. He had injected morphine/vitamin B-12 pain killers, and had several empty beer cans were found beside his body.
The Hank Williams Museum in Montgomery, Alabama has the most complete collection of memorabilia from Hank's life. The baby blue Cadillac in which he made his last journey is amongst the exhibits. The museum is in downtown Montgomery, and is only a short ride away from the Staybridge Suites Montgomery Eastchase Hotel. This is Montgomery's latest all-suite hotel. Suites have separate living and sleeping areas, fully equipped kitchens, and large flat screen TVs. Guests have use of a sports court, heated saltwater pool, and 24 hour fitness center.
Hank Williams was born in a log cabin, in Mount Olive, Alabama. He was christened Hiram King Williams. It is said that he was named after King Hiram I of Tyre, a contemporary of King Solomon, and a man who according to legend, was one of the three men who founded the Masons.
Hiram suffered from birth with spina bifida, which caused considerable pain. This was a cause of his later alcohol and drug abuse. In 1937 he renamed himself Hank, and managed to get noticed by WSFA radio in Montgomery. After some appearances on radio he was awarded a salary of $15 per week, for which he did two shows every week.
The salary from WSFA helped Hank start his own band, the Drifting Cowboys. Hank dropped out of school in 1939 so the band could play full time, but when America joined the war in 1941 most of the original band were drafted into the military. Many of the replacements refused to play with Hank because of his alcohol problems. He was only 18 at the time. In 1942 he was fired by WSFA for drunkenness.
Hank's career in country music continued throughout the war, and in 1943 Audrey Sheppard became his manager. His first hits were released in 1946 and 1947 under the Sterling Records label, after which he moved to MGM Records. His first record with MGM was a country music hit, and in 1949 his version of Lovesick Blues became a hit with mainstream music lovers. He had many more number one hits before his death.
Hank died in the back of his Cadillac in January 1953 while being driven through West Virginia. His place of death is usually thought to be Oak Hill in that state. He had injected morphine/vitamin B-12 pain killers, and had several empty beer cans were found beside his body.
The Hank Williams Museum in Montgomery, Alabama has the most complete collection of memorabilia from Hank's life. The baby blue Cadillac in which he made his last journey is amongst the exhibits. The museum is in downtown Montgomery, and is only a short ride away from the Staybridge Suites Montgomery Eastchase Hotel. This is Montgomery's latest all-suite hotel. Suites have separate living and sleeping areas, fully equipped kitchens, and large flat screen TVs. Guests have use of a sports court, heated saltwater pool, and 24 hour fitness center.
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