Slim Whitman dies at 84
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Country artist Slim Whitman died today at the age of 84. Though he was once known as "America's Favorite Folksinger," Whitman achieved more fame in Europe than in the United States. Best remembered for his early-'50s hit singles like "Love Song of the Waterfall," "Indian Love Call," and "Singing Hills," he was an excellent yodeler known for singing mellow, romantic and clean-cut songs.
"Love Song of the Waterfall," which became his breakthrough hit, peaked at #10 on the country charts; the follow-up single, "Indian Love Call," made him a star, peaking at number two on the country charts and crossing over into the pop Top Ten. You may recall "Indian Love Call" actually saving the world in the 1996 movie "Mars Attacks!", where it proved fatal to the invading Martians.
Both sides of his next single -- "Keep It a Secret" / "My Heart Is Broken in Three" -- were also major hits and he continued to have a string of Top Ten hits into the mid-'50s, including "Tumbling Tumbleweeds," "Unchain My Heart," and "I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen." In 1965, he bounced back into the country Top Ten with "More Than Yesterday."
For the next few years, he had a series of minor country hits, including "Rainbows Are Back in Style" (1968), "Happy Street" (1968) and "Tomorrow Never Comes" (1970). Throughout the early '70s, he continued to have minor hits, but in 1974, he retired from active recording. For his contribution to the recording industry, Whitman has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1709 Vine Street. In 2003, Rob Zombie used his song "I Remember You" in his directoral debut House of 1000 Corpses.
Apparently there is still some mystery regarding whether Mr.Whitman has passed or not. The following was on Wikipedia earlier, but has since vanished. If I receive information that he still alive I will post a follow up/retraction:
Slim Whitman
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
This article is about a person who has recently died.
Some information, such as that pertaining to the circumstances of the person's death and surrounding events, may change rapidly as more facts become known. In the event that this article is disruptively edited following the death of the subject, please request administrator intervention at this noticeboard.
Labels: obits, Slim Whitman
10 Comments:
What is your souce on his death ? I don't think he has died !
Who's Alive and Who's Dead?
Just called wsm in nashville, tn. can not confirm the report.
Loren Knapp, longtime friend of Slim's and president of the Slim Whitman Collectors International, stated that he talked to Slim on the day after he "died" and reported that Slim said he felt like he was 40 again.
I have concluded that his demise was falsely reported, and have updated the header of this post. As I find out more, I will fill in the blanks. If anyone has any info for me, I would greatly appreciate your passing it on to me.
I have verification that Slim is still alive.
***message***
Slim is fine we were in contact with him yesterday. He said he feels like he's forty and has lost weight.
Loren Knapp President Slim Whitman Collectors International
I've had two people forward that to me now.
Slim lives not far from me in Middleburg (near Jacksonville), Florida. He is alive AND well, I assure you!!
Thank you, Swampman!
Please delete this post. Slim is still rocking!!!
http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct=us/0-0&fp=47b2eb92a182abdc&ei=oQ-yR8vLHJTazATNwZjEDQ&url=http%3A//www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/whitman%2520im%2520not%2520dead_1058821&cid=0&sig2=YXD42Lp39_7RzfIjvC-HCw
Post a Comment
<< Home