Pitchfork

After a long bout with lung cancer, Hank Thompson died Tuesday in Keller, Texas. He was one of the most popular of the second generation of Western swing bandleaders, following in the footsteps of Tex Ritter and Bob Wills and rivaling contemporaries Hank Williams and Tennessee Ernie Ford as country music 's biggest celebrity. Born in Waco, Texas, in 1925, Thompson, like most country musicians of the era, worked first in radio, where he put together his legendary band the Brazos Valley Boys. The band's sound relied heavily on electric guitar and pedal steel, but the Brazos Valley Boys downplayed the hotshot soloing that was prevalent in country swing in order to emphasize Thompson's clear, confident tenor.

After a string of minor regional hits (including his first, "Whoa Sailor", in 1946), Thompson signed to Capitol Records, where he stayed for nearly twenty years. His career exploded with the release of "The Wild Side of Life", a cheating-wife lament from 1952 that inspired Kitty Wells' "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" later that year. Despite the diminishing popularity of Western swing and big-band country, Thompson had a continuous stream of lesser hits through the 1960s and 70s, and he maintained a steady, if limited, touring schedule until shortly before his death.

Some of the best footage of Thompson in his prime comes from his appearance on "Star Route", a 60s variety show based in Toronto. Among other hits, he performed "Just to Ease the Pain" and "Green Light", but be sure to check out the clip "Hank's House" for a peek into the home life of country music's elite. We end with a clip showing photo stills with recordings of "The Wild Side of Life" and "Six Pack to Go".

Hank Thompson: "The Wildwood Flower" / "Just to Ease the Pain"

Hank Thompson: "Green Light"

Hank Thompson: "Hank's House"

Hank Thompson: "Wild Side of Life" / "Six Pack to Go"