Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
Essay about hank williams jr
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: Essay about hank williams jr
Hank Williams Jr.
Hank Williams, Jr. was meant to be a superstar from the day he was born.
His father, the legendary Hank Williams, and mother, Audrey Sheppard, both
played an intricate part in his early stardom. Hank had to overcome many
obstacles in his life including escaping from his father's shadow and a near
death experience in 1975. Hank's many triumphs, and his ability to overcome
setbacks, have propelled him to a legendary status.
Born May 26, 1949, in Shreveport, Louisiana, Randall Hank Williams, Jr.
was destined to become a star. Tragically, his father died on New Years day,
1953, at the young age on twenty nine ("Official Home Page," Biography).
However, his mother, a country singer in her own right, helped Hank Jr. start
one of the earliest, and most successful, childhood careers in country music
history.
Hank appeared on stage for the first time at the young age of eight.
Hank appeared on the Grand Ole Opry at the age of eleven, singing his father's
songs in his father's style. At the age of fourteen Hank recorded his first
album, a hit rendition of his father's "Lone Gone Lonesome Blues." At an age
when most young boys are playing Little League baseball or football, Hank was
learning the piano from Jerry Lee Lewis, appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show, and
performing before crowds of up to twenty thousand.
In 1969, Hank teamed up with Johnny Cash to perform in the largest
country concert to date. In 1970, Hank signed the biggest recording contract in
the history of MGM Records. As proud as he was of being the son of Hank
Williams, Hank got tired of being in his father's shadow. In high school, known
as "Rockin' Randall," Hank played contemporary rock, however, that had to be
kept secret from all his traditional country fans. He also liked to listen to
rhythm and blues, however, these types of music were looked down on by many in
Nashville. Later in his career, Hank even released a couple of rock singles
under the name Bo Cephus on Verve Records, a subdivision of MGM. The split
between what he wanted to do and what he was expected to do , along with his
long-term alcohol and drug abuse, developed into a downward spiral of his career
that led to a 1974 suicide attempt.
In early 1975, Hank recorded "Hank Williams, Jr. and Friends," his first
true step to escaping his father's shadow and the past. Although the album was
a success, MGM wanted him to return to the style that would keep his longtime
mother, Ruth, brought him to live with her at a sailor's hotel and bar that she
Scott Joplin, commonly known as the "King of Ragtime" music, was born on November 24, 1868, in Bowie County, Texas near Linden. Joplin came from a large musical family. His father, Giles Joplin was a musician who had fiddled dance music while serving as a slave at his master's parties. His mother, Florence Givens Joplin, born free and out of slavery, sang and played the banjo, and four of his brothers and sisters either sang or played strings.
Kingsbury, Paul. The Grand Ole Opry History of Country Music: 70 Years of the Songs,
McKeod , Kembrew. “Cash, Johnny(1932-).” St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture. Ed. Sara Penedergast an Tome Pendergast. Vol. 1. 449-450. Student Resources. 4 Feb 2014
The music industry during the 1940s was filled with many talented artists who impacted the music industry and the history of rock n’ roll forever. But one of the very well known and talented artists was Buddy Holly. Buddy Holly was the first to pioneer new music genres and progressive music. Charles Hardin Holley (1936-1959) was an American musician and artist whose creative career began in 1956. The family name is correctly spelled “Holley” but his first recording contract from Decca Records in 1956 spelled his last name “Holly” and he kept it that way for the rest of his career (Griggs 1). Holly took a very influential position in the music industry and built an audience for his Rock and Roll music very quickly due to his unique voice and advanced knowledge of music. Buddy Holly is a prime example of a musical pioneer who blended resources from various music genres including a variety of popular genres such as rhythm and blues (RNB), oriental, and African (Schinder and Schwartz 85).
Johnny Cash was born in Kingsland, Arkansas on February 26, 1932 (Enslow 19). He began to take an interest to music when his father bought a radio. His mother loved listening to music and his mother and Johnny would sing songs all throughout the house. Taught by his mother and childhood friend, he learned to play guitar (Enslow 19). Working hard and practicing, he became very good at guitar and singing. However, he grew up through the Great Depression and this was very difficult for him and his family. In Edward Enslow’s “The Man in Black” Johnny Cash states, “We were very poor, and I almost died of starvation as a child.” This quote shows how life was a struggle for Cash in his early life. Facing all the many challenges was difficult for him but he found a way through it. Through his older brother Jack, he was able to cope with his life growing up. Jack was a huge role model to Johnny growing up, he would teach...
Widely considered country music’s first superstar, Hiram/Hank Williams was born September 17, 1923, in mount olive, Alabama. Williams, the third child of Lon and Lillie Williams, grew up in a household that never had much money. His father worked as a logger before entering the Veterans’ Administration hospital when young hank was just six. Father and son rarely saw each other over the next decade, with William’s mother, who ran rooming houses, moving the family to Greenville, and later, Montgomery, Alabama. (Hank Williams) Everyone knew Hank was a good guy, but like any man had his ups and his downs throughout the short life he lived. Hank grew up rough and he knew it; however nothing was going to stop this young man from doing what he set out to pursue. What he did was astonishing changing art or “so called” music. Hank redefined country music with his personal opinion on what music really was.
Music is a universal language, a language that many can speak; however, one that only few can master. One of those masters was Nat "King" Cole. A true legend, Nat not only could carry a song with his voice, but also through his incredible skills with the piano. Today, Nat is most remembered for that soft, soothing and so powerful voice; however he is recognized as one of the greatest jazz pianists of all-time.
Orleans. At the age of 12 his life changed. When he was parting for New
Jerry Garcia’s life was filled with wonderful things, many of which he never expected in the first place. After an almost fatal heroin overdose in 1986, “ Garcia philosophically stated, ‘ I’m 45 years old, I’m ready for anything, I didn’t even plan on living this long so all this shit is just add-on stuff.’ ” (“Garcia”) This attitude shows why Garcia did all of the things he did and even how some of them came about. Garcia, who “functioned as the preeminent pied piper of the rock era,” led a life of great artistic ability which he used in many ways(“Grateful Dead_ Rockhall”).
Sammy Davis, Jr. was born in Harlem on December 8, 1925, to Elvera Sanchez, a chorus girl, and Sam Davis, a dancer. He was raised by his father and grandmother. His father was in an act with Will Mastin, who was a close friend of the family. At a young age, Sammy joined the act as a singer and dancer. They were known as the “Will Mastin Trio”. It was not the best job, but it put food on the table.
Many jazz artists as we know it are quite talented. Their talents are unique in that they can translate human emotion through singing or playing their instruments. Many have the ability to reach and touch people’s souls through their amazing gifts. Although this art of turning notes and lyrics into emotional imagery may somewhat come natural, the audience must wonder where their influence comes from. For Billie Holiday, her career was highly influenced by personal experience, the effects of the Great Depression, and the racial challenges of African Americans during her time.
Scott Joplin was know as the kings of ragtime. I will explain also explain how he grew up and what type of music he played. I will also write about why I believe he deserves the title that he has been bestowed upon him.
As a child Dylan was comfortable being the center of attention, often writing creative poetry for his mother and on occasion singing. Dylan had no formal music lessons, but none the less he began to compose. Later at age 14, he took up the guitar and shortly after formed a band, one of many he played the guitar in. Always plunging ahead, performing to his up most potentional, Dylan absorbed his surroundings as a source of inspiration. Even during his early efforts Dylan responded very positivly to mainstream musicians, such as country star Hank Williams. Yet, he responded especially well to early rock stars such as Little Richard, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis. In the summer of 1959, after graduation Dylan began to work at a cafe, where he began to pay increasing attention to folksingers such as Judy Collins and Jesse Fuller. Finding an instant connection with their songs, songs relevant to social issues. Dylan was drawn into both the musical style and the social message of these indivisuals.
Among the most popular and appreciated musicians of our time, Louis "Satchmo" Armostrong brought a musical presence, technical mastery, and imaginative genius that "so overwhelmed musicians of his day that he became their principle model, leaving an indelible imprint on the music" (Kernfield 27). When reviewing Armstrong's life work, his years with us can be divided into two aspects, his personal life and his music. While giving significant background of Armstrong's life, his paper will also introduce and explain the impact that he had on music and the world of jazz.