Hank Garland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hank Garland
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Walter Louis Garland |
| Born | November 11, 1930 Cowpens, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | December 27, 2004 (aged 74) Orange Park, Florida, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz, country, rock and roll, pop |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Guitar, six-string bass |
| Years active | 1942-1961 |
| Associated acts | Elvis Presley |
Walter Louis Garland (born November 11, 1930 – died December 27, 2004), known as Hank Garland, was an amazing American guitarist and songwriter. He started his music journey playing country tunes. As rock and roll became popular in the 1950s, he played that too! Later, he even released a jazz album. Sadly, his career ended early in 1961 after a car accident.
A movie about Hank Garland's life, called Crazy, came out in 2008.
Contents
Hank Garland's Musical Journey
Hank Garland was born in Cowpens, South Carolina. He began playing the guitar when he was only six years old. By age 12, he was already appearing on local radio shows.
When he was 14, Hank moved to Spartanburg, South Carolina. There, he met Don Reno, who gave him guitar lessons. They even played lead guitar together on the WSPA-FM radio station in Spartanburg.
At 16, Hank moved to Nashville, a famous music city. He lived in a boarding house with other musicians like Bob Moore. By age 18, he recorded his huge hit song, "Sugarfoot Rag", which sold a million copies!
Hank appeared on TV shows like Jubilee and The Eddy Arnold Show. He is especially known for his work in Nashville studios. From 1958 to 1961, he played guitar for Elvis Presley. He helped create rock hits like "I Need Your Love Tonight" and "Little Sister".
Hank also worked with many other famous country and rock and roll musicians. These included Patsy Cline, Brenda Lee, Marty Robbins, The Everly Brothers, and Roy Orbison.
His guitar playing can be heard on classic songs like Little Jimmy Dickens' "I Got a Hole in My Pocket". He also played on Bobby Helms' "Jingle Bell Rock" and Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree". Hank's guitar work also shined on Patsy Cline's "Let the Teardrops Fall".
Hank was also a talented jazz musician. He played with jazz legends like George Shearing and Charlie Parker in New York. In 1960, he recorded a jazz album called Jazz Winds from a New Direction. He played with Gary Burton on vibraphone for this album.
That same year, Hank and other Nashville musicians were invited to the Newport Jazz Festival. This group was known as the Nashville "A-Team" of session players. They often played jazz together after hours in Nashville. The group included Chet Atkins and Floyd Cramer.
A recording company was there to record their performance. But the festival ended early because of a riot. So, the group played on the porch of the mansion where they were staying. Their performance was recorded and released as the album After the Riot in Newport.
Hank Garland also helped design a special guitar. He worked with the Gibson Guitar company president, Ted McCarty. Hank and guitarist Billy Byrd helped create the Gibson Byrdland guitar. It had a slimmer body and shorter neck, making it easier to play.
Later Years and Legacy
In September 1961, Hank Garland was in a car crash. He was in a coma for a while. With the help of his wife, Evelyn, and his two daughters, he slowly recovered. However, he had a brain injury from the accident. This meant he could no longer play music in the studios.
Sadly, Evelyn died in a car crash in 1965. After that, Hank's parents took care of him. When they passed away, he lived with his brother, Billy, and Billy's wife, Amy.
Hank Garland had many health problems in his later years. He passed away on December 27, 2004, in Orange Park, Florida. He was 74 years old and died from problems caused by a staph infection. He is buried in Jacksonville Memory Gardens in Orange Park.
Hank's Music Albums
As leader
- Velvet Guitar (Harmony, 1960)
- After the Riot at Newport with the Nashville All-Stars (RCA Victor, 1961)
- Jazz Winds from a New Direction (Columbia, 1961)
- The Unforgettable Guitar of Hank Garland (Columbia, 1962)
- Hank Garland and His Sugar Footers (Bear Family, 1992)
- Subtle Swing (Sundazed, 2004)
As sideman
- Red Foley and Ernest Tubb, Red and Ernie (Decca, 1956)
- Bobby Helms, Jingle Bell Rock, (Decca 30513A, November 1957)
- Janis Martin, The Female Elvis: The Complete Recordings (1956-57, released on Bear Family Records, 1987)
- Elvis Presley, 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong: Elvis' Gold Records, Volume 2 (RCA Victor, 1959)
- Elvis Presley, Elvis Is Back! (RCA Victor, 1960)
- Ray Walker, Everybody's Hits But Mine (Columbia, 1961)
- The Everly Brothers, Both Sides of an Evening (Warner Bros., 1961)
- Don Gibson, Girls, Guitars, and Gibson (RCA Victor, 1961)
- Elvis Presley, Something for Everybody (RCA Victor, 1961)
- Elvis Presley, Follow that Dream (EP) (RCA Victor, 1961)
- Elvis Presley, Pot Luck (RCA Victor, 1962)
- Elvis Presley, Elvis’ Golden Records, Volume 3 (RCA Victor, 1962)
- Skeeter Davis, Blueberry Hill and Other Favorites (RCA Camden, 1965)
