Today is birthday of Hank Williams.

Today is birthday of Hank Williams.
Who is Hank Williams? If you've lived in U.S., you've heard about him for sure. But if you've lived here in Europe, you maybe have not heard about him at all. Born Hiram King Williams, -later known as Hank Williams, Luke The Drifter, Lovesick Blues Boy, or Hillbilly Shakespeare- he was an American singer-songwriter and musician regarded as one of the most important country music artists of all time.

Remember that old song you possibly sang in school, song called Jambalaya? Teacher might have told you (or at least they told me) that this is old traditional american folk song. No, it's not. It's Hank Williams' original composition.

Remember 90's, when Red Hot Chili Peppers lived on their highest success? They had song called "Why Don't You Love Me Like You Used To Do." It's not their own song, they only raped it, it's originally Hank Williams's composition.

You've possibly bought Johnny Cash's album "The Man Comes Around", which has been claimed to be he's best album. As you possibly knew, they all are cover songs, including "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" which is originally Hank Williams' song.

You've also heard Bob Dylan singing that same "I'm So Lonesome..." and possibly also Ray Charles singin' "Your Cheatin' Heart". You might have checked YouTube for Norah Jones singing "Cold Cold Heart".
Good ol' Hank is behind all these compositions.

Did you know that it is possible to get awarded with Pulitzer-prize after one's death? Hank Williams died on the night when year changed from 1952 to 1953, but got Pulitzer prize in 2010.

If you didn't know about Hank Williams yet, or even if you did, think about this;
Madonna is often called to be a superstar, she has had 37 singles peaking nr 1 on the charts, during her career since '79. It makes roughly one hit song per year.
Hanks life, nor career, did not last as long, only from 1947 to 1952, but during that five years when he was active, he had 11 songs peaking no. 1 on the charts. That makes roughly five to six months between each number one song. Also, only one song of them, "Lost Highway" was written by someone else.

It's not only about how many singles someone sold, or how much money some record company made. It's not about numbers or charts or something like that. It's about music, about feelings it gives, the moments you live with music.
And now... I'll go to spin few 45's with old yellow MGM-label on them.
Take care!