Claude King facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Claude King
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King in 1966
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| Background information | |
| Born | February 5, 1923 |
| Origin | Keithville, Caddo Parish Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | March 7, 2013 (aged 90) Shreveport, Louisiana |
| Genres | Country |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1961–2013 |
| Labels | Columbia Records Specialty Records |
Claude King (February 5, 1923 – March 7, 2013) was an American country music singer and songwriter. He is best known for his 1962 song, "Wolverton Mountain". This song sold over a million copies, making it a huge hit!
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About Claude King
Claude King was born in Keithville, Louisiana. When he was young, he loved music, sports, and being outdoors. He bought his first guitar at age twelve. Even though he learned to play, he spent most of his time on sports. He even earned a baseball scholarship to the University of Idaho.
From 1942 to 1945, Claude served in the United States Navy. This was during World War II.
His Music Career
After his time in the Navy, Claude King started a band. He formed it with his friends Buddy Attaway and Tillman Franks. They called themselves the Rainbow Boys. The group played music around Shreveport in their free time. They also worked other jobs.
Claude later joined the Louisiana Hayride. This was a popular TV and radio show. It was broadcast across the United States and even in the United Kingdom. Claude often performed on the same shows as famous artists. These included Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Hank Williams.
Claude recorded some songs for Gotham Records, but they were not very successful. In 1961, he decided to focus more on music. He signed with Columbia Records in Nashville. His first big song was "Big River, Big Man." It became a top 10 country hit. It also became a small pop hit. He then released "The Comancheros." This song was inspired by a John Wayne movie. It was another top 10 country hit in late 1961.
"Wolverton Mountain" Success
Claude King released his most famous song in 1962. It was called "Wolverton Mountain." He wrote it with Merle Kilgore. The song was about a real person, Clifton Clowers. He was Merle Kilgore's uncle and lived on Wolverton Mountain in Arkansas.
"Wolverton Mountain" quickly became a huge hit. It was the number one song on the Billboard country chart for nine weeks. It stayed on the chart for a total of twenty-six weeks. The song also reached the Top 10 on the main Billboard Hot 100 chart. Because it sold over one million copies, it earned a gold disc.
After "Wolverton Mountain," Claude King had more hits. He released "The Burning Of Atlanta." This song was about a battle in the American Civil War. It also reached the Top 10 on the country chart. In 1962, his song "I've Got The World By The Tail" almost made the country Top 10.
In 1963, Claude had three more country hits. These were "Sheepskin Valley," "Building a Bridge," and "Hey Lucille!" His hits continued in 1964 with "Sam Hill." In 1965, he was back in the Top 10 with "Tiger Woman." He co-wrote this song with Merle Kilgore. He also did well with "Little Buddy" that year.
Claude King's smooth singing style remained popular. Songs like "Catch a Little Raindrop" and "All for the Love of A Girl" were hits. "All for the Love of A Girl" was a Top 10 hit in 1969. His songs continued to appear on the country charts until 1972. He left Columbia Records in 1973. By then, he had twenty-nine hit songs.
Later Career and Recognition
Besides singing, Claude King also acted in movies. He appeared in films like Swamp Girl (1971) and Year of the Yahoo! (1972).
In 1981, the Governor of Arkansas, Frank D. White, honored Claude King. He declared August 7 "Wolverton Mountain Day."
In 2003, Claude King released a new CD. It was called Cowboy in the White House. James Burton, a famous guitarist who played with Elvis Presley, also performed on the album.
In 2007, Claude King was honored again. He was inducted into the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce Walk of Stars. He joined other famous people from the Shreveport area.
In 2011, Claude King was named one of "Five Living Legends of Shreveport." This honor was given by Danny Fox of KWKH radio.
His Passing
Claude King passed away suddenly at his home in Shreveport on March 7, 2013. He was ninety years old. He was married to Barbara Coco for 67 years. They had three sons together. His funeral was held in Shreveport.
Discography
This section lists Claude King's albums and singles. A "discography" is a list of all the recordings an artist has made.
Albums
| Year | Album | Chart Positions | Label | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country | US | |||
| 1962 | Meet Claude King | — | 80 | Columbia |
| 1965 | Tiger Woman | — | — | |
| 1968 | The Best of Claude King | — | — | |
| 1969 | I Remember Johnny Horton | 24 | — | |
| 1970 | Friend, Lover, Woman, Wife | — | — | |
| 1971 | Chip 'N' Dale's Place | 45 | — | |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart Positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country | US Cash Box Country | US | CAN Country | |||
| 1961 | "Big River, Big Man" | 7 | 9 | 82 | — | Meet Claude King |
| "The Comancheros" /"A | 7 | 6 | 71 | — | ||
| 1962 | "Wolverton Mountain" /"B | 1 | 1 | 6 | — | |
| "Little Bitty Heart" | — | 41 | — | — | ||
| "The Burning of Atlanta" | 10 | 9 | 53 | — | singles only | |
| 1963 | "I've Got the World by the Tail" | 11 | 11 | 111 | — | |
| "Sheepskin Valley" | 12 | 17 | — | — | ||
| "Building a Bridge" | 12 | 41 | — | — | ||
| "Hey Lucille! /" | 13 | 13 | — | — | ||
| "Scarlet O'Hara" | — | 34 | — | — | ||
| 1964 | "That's What Makes the World Go Around" | 33 | 28 | — | — | |
| "Sam Hill" | 11 | 12 | — | 2 | ||
| 1965 | "Whirlpool (Of Your Love)" | 47 | 31 | — | — | |
| "Tiger Woman" | 6 | 5 | 110 | — | Tiger Woman | |
| 1966 | "Little Buddy" | 17 | 15 | — | — | |
| "Catch a Little Raindrop" | 13 | 12 | — | — | ||
| "The Juggler" | — | 34 | — | — | singles only | |
| "Little Things That Every Girl Should Know" | 50 | 44 | — | — | ||
| 1967 | "The Watchman" | 32 | 34 | — | — | |
| "Laura (What's He Got That I Ain't Got)" | 50 | 44 | — | — | ||
| "Yellow Haired Woman" | 59 | 40 | — | — | ||
| 1968 | "Parchman Farm Blues" | 67 | — | — | — | |
| "The Power of Your Sweet Love" | 48 | — | — | — | ||
| 1969 | "Sweet Love On My Mind" | 52 | 43 | — | — | Friend, Lover, Woman, Wife |
| "All for the Love of a Girl" | 9 | 8 | — | — | ||
| "Friend, Lover, Woman, Wife" | 18 | 50 | — | 14 | ||
| "House Of The Rising Sun" | — | — | — | 28 | ||
| 1970 | "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" | 33 | 24 | — | 39 | Chip 'N' Dale's Place |
| "Mary's Vineyard" | 17 | 23 | — | 13 | ||
| 1971 | "Chip 'N' Dale's Place" | 23 | 8 | — | 7 | |
| "When You're Twenty-One" | 54 | — | — | — | singles only | |
| 1972 | "Darlin' Raise the Shade (Let the Sun Shine In)" | 57 | 46 | — | 32 | |
| "The Lady Of Our Town" | — | 73 | — | — | ||
| "He Ain't Country" | 48 | 45 | — | — | ||
| 1977 | "Cotton Dan" | 94 | — | — | — | |
- A"The Comancherso" reached No. 9 on Canada's CHUM Chart.
- B"Wolverton Mountain" peaked at No. 3 on Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks and No. 1 on Canada's CHUM Chart.
