Hank Locklin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hank Locklin
Locklin in 1966
Born	Lawrence Hankins Locklin (1918-02-15)February 15, 1918 McLellan, Florida, U.S.
Died	March 8, 2009(2009-03-08) (aged 91) Brewton, Alabama, U.S.
Occupation	Singer songwriter
Years active	1947–2007
Spouse(s)	Willa Jean Murphy ​ ​ (m. 1938, divorced)​ Anita Crooks ​ (m. 1970)​
Children	6
Musical career
Genres	Country gospel
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Labels	Four Star Decca RCA Victor MGM Plantation Coldwater Yell
Associated acts	Chet Atkins Danny Davis

Hank Locklin (born Lawrence Hankins Locklin; February 15, 1918 – March 8, 2009) was an American country music singer and songwriter. He became famous for his smooth voice and classic country sound. Hank had 70 songs that made it onto the music charts. Two of his songs even reached number one on the Billboard country chart.

His most famous songs include "Send Me the Pillow You Dream On" and his signature hit, "Please Help Me, I'm Falling". This second song was so popular that it also reached number eight on the main Billboard pop music chart. It sold over a million copies, earning a gold disc award.

Hank Locklin grew up in Florida. He loved country music, especially after a childhood accident. He learned to play the guitar while recovering and started performing in his local area. Later, he formed his own band, the Rocky Mountain Playboys. They played shows and performed on local radio. This led to his first recording contract in 1949. That same year, he had his first big hit. In 1953, his song "Let Me Be the One" became his first number one hit.

In 1955, Hank signed with RCA Victor Records. Working with producer Chet Atkins, he had his greatest success. He released many popular songs in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He also became a member of the famous Grand Ole Opry and stayed with them for almost 50 years. Hank Locklin became popular around the world, touring in Europe in the 1960s and 70s. He also made special albums that focused on a single theme, which was new for country artists at the time. Hank Locklin passed away in 2009 at the age of 91.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Hank Locklin was born and grew up in McLellan, Florida. He was the youngest of four children in a family that loved music. He became very interested in music after an accident when he was nine years old. A school bus hit him, and he later said, "It almost mashed me flatter than a fritter."

While he was recovering, he learned to play the guitar. He kept playing music through his teenage years. He won several talent shows and performed at a radio station in Pensacola, Florida. To focus on music, Hank left high school. However, being a musician didn't always pay much. He sometimes worked other jobs, like on a farm or in a shipyard, to earn money.

In the early 1940s, Hank couldn't join World War II because of his childhood bus accident, which still affected his leg. So, he kept performing. He played in nearby states, including regular shows in Mobile, Alabama. He also started writing his own songs, inspired by artists like Ernest Tubb. He joined country musician Jimmy Swan's band for a while. In 1947, Hank formed his own band, the Rocky Mountain Playboys. They often performed on radio stations.

Music Career Highlights

Starting Out: Early Success (1949–1954)

Hank Locklin signed his first recording contract with Four Star Records in 1949. That same year, he joined the cast of the Louisiana Hayride radio show. He had his first big hit in 1949 with his own song, "The Same Sweet Girl". This song reached number eight on the Billboard country chart.

Later, Hank's songs didn't become big hits for a while. He even recorded an early version of his future hit, "Send Me the Pillow You Dream On," but it wasn't popular yet. Then, his music was released by Decca Records. With this new partnership, he had his second major hit in 1953, called "Let Me Be the One". This song became his first to reach number one on the Billboard country chart, staying there for three weeks.

Biggest Hits with RCA Records (1955–1974)

In 1955, Hank Locklin moved to the bigger RCA Records. He worked with producer Chet Atkins, who helped him create a simpler, smoother musical style. His songs often featured acoustic guitar and piano. These sounds were made by talented studio musicians known as The Nashville A-Team.

In 1956, he had his first hit with RCA, "Why Baby Why", which reached the top 10. In 1957, "Geisha Girl" reached number five on the country chart and was his first song to appear on the main pop chart. This song was on his first album, Foreign Love. This album was one of several "concept albums" Hank released, meaning they had a special theme. In 1958, he had more hits with "It's a Little More Like Heaven" and a new version of "Send Me the Pillow You Dream On".

In 1960, Hank heard a new song called "Please Help Me, I'm Falling". He believed it would be a hit and recorded it. When it was released, "Please Help Me, I'm Falling" quickly reached number one on the Billboard country chart in May. It stayed at the top for 14 weeks! It also became Hank's biggest hit on the pop chart, reaching number eight. This song was a huge success for Hank Locklin.

Because of this hit, he was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry in 1960. He was a member of this famous country music show for 49 years. Even though he didn't reach number one on the country charts again, he continued to have many successful songs with RCA Victor. In 1961, he had three songs in the top 20: "One Step Ahead of My Past", "From Here to There to You", and "You're the Reason". In 1961, "Happy Birthday to Me" reached number seven. In 1962, "Happy Journey" went to number 10.

Hank also made more concept albums in the 1960s. He released an album honoring Roy Acuff, called A Tribute to Roy Acuff: The King of Country Music. He also recorded Irish Songs, Country Style for his growing fans in Ireland. Another album, Hank Locklin Sings Hank Williams, featured songs by Hank Williams. His 1965 album, My Kind of Country Music, was praised by critics for his "gift for tear-jerking ballads and pure traditional country." His 1966 album, The Girls Get Prettier, was his first to appear on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.

In 1968, Hank had another top 10 hit with "The Country Hall of Fame". The album of the same name also did well. After this, his songs didn't appear on the American country charts as often. His last top 40 song was "Where the Blue of the Night Meets the Gold of the Day" in 1969. In the early 1970s, he spent a lot of time touring in Europe, where he was very popular. He also toured Japan with producer Chet Atkins. Hank Locklin stayed with RCA Victor until 1974.

Locklin in a trade ad for Billboard magazine, 1968

Later Years (1975–2007)

After leaving RCA Victor, Hank Locklin recorded for other record labels like MGM Records and Plantation Records. He released albums like his self-titled album in 1975 and There Never Was a Time in 1977. During the 1970s, Hank also hosted some television shows in Texas. He continued to perform overseas, especially in Ireland, and remained an active member of the Grand Ole Opry. He was even made the honorary mayor of his hometown, McLellan, Florida.

Hank's career slowed down after the 1970s. But in the early 2000s, his son, Hank Adam Locklin, encouraged him to record again. In 2001, Hank released his first album in decades, called Generations in Song. His son produced it, and it featured famous musicians and collaborations with artists like Vince Gill and Dolly Parton. The album received very good reviews. Critics said his voice sounded much younger than it was.

In 2006, Hank Locklin released his final album, By the Grace of God: The Gospel Album. This album was a collection of gospel songs and included collaborations with The Oak Ridge Boys and The Jordanaires. He also appeared on a TV show called Country Pop Legends, where he sang his famous hits. In his last years, Hank continued to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. His final performance there was in September 2007.

Personal Life and Passing

Hank Locklin was married twice. His first marriage to Willa Jean Murphy began in 1938 but ended later. In 1970, he married Anita Crooks. He had two sons and four daughters, along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His son, Hank Adam Locklin, is also a producer and musician who helped manage his father's career and produce some of his later albums. In the 1960s, Hank built a ranch house in McLellan, Florida, called The Singing L.

He later moved to Brewton, Alabama, where he lived for the rest of his life. Hank Locklin passed away at home on March 8, 2009, at the age of 91. He is buried in the United Methodist Church Mount Carmel Cemetery in Jay, Florida. After his death, a longtime friend said that Hank was not only a great artist but also "the nicest man you’d ever meet."

Musical Style

Hank Locklin's music style came from country music's honky-tonk and Nashville Sound styles. In his early years, Hank was mainly a honky-tonk singer. This style often included elements of Texas shuffles. His early songs were influenced by artists like Hank Williams and Ernest Tubb.

When he signed with RCA Records in 1955, his sound changed. His producer, Chet Atkins, helped create a softer "Nashville Sound." This style often included smooth vocal harmonies and sometimes instruments like horns and strings. Hank once explained how Chet Atkins would create music: "He was so good, and he really helped me a lot with RCA."

Legacy and Influence

Many people consider Hank Locklin to be one of country music's "great tenors." Critics have noted that his unique high-pitched singing voice made him stand out from other singers of his time. He helped define the Nashville Sound in country music. This style brought a more polished and smooth feel to country music. Hank once said, "I’ve been blessed to have hit songs that are timeless."

Hank Locklin's long membership (49 years) in the Grand Ole Opry is a big part of his legacy. He was known for his friendly humor and often joked with his Opry audience. In 2007, he was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. In 2020, a documentary about his career and legacy, called Hank Locklin: Country Music's Timeless Tenor, was shown on PBS. Other country artists, like Dolly Parton and Dwight Yoakam, spoke about how Hank influenced their own careers.

Discography

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Hank Locklin para niños