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Hank Williams: The Biography
- Long considered the last word on Hank Williams, this biography has remained continuously in print since its first publication in 1994.- This new edition has been completely updated and includes many previously unpublished photographs, as well as a complete catalog detailing all the songs Hank Williams ever wrote, even those he never recorded.- Colin Escott is codirector and cowriter of the forth-coming two-hour PBS/BBC television documentary on Hank Williams, set to broadcast in spring 2004, and coauthor of "Hank Snapshots from the Lost Highway.- HANK WILLIAMS was the third-prize winner of the prestigious Ralph J. Gleason Music Book Award.
525 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
November 21, 2012
As a child, I listened to old 78s of Hank Williams that I carefully pulled out of my dad's old cedar chest. Later, I got my very own 8-track player and fell asleep listening to Hank every night. All I can say after reading this book is,"Wow." I bought it at the Ryman Auditorium during a recent trip to Nashville and started reading it immediately. This is a very thorough look at Hank's short, sad life. Mr. Escott has included direct quotes from many of the people who knew Hank personally or were associated with him and has put together what might be the most comprehensive picture of his life yet.
I was particularly impressed with how well Hank's childhood and early life were covered. I had absolutely no idea prior to this book how far back his problems went. I was constantly doing math in my head as different incidents of Hank's drinking causing problems appeared to find dates that placed him in his mid-teens.
His meteoric rise and abrupt fall are covered quite skillfully. It even includes his earnings each year. A peek into the psychology of who Hank Williams was as a person is granted through quotes from his friends and associates. Learning the sad details of his last few months was horrifying to me, but it's the truth. I appreciate the truth. We also get a summary of the extensive aftermath following Hank's sudden death and the outcome for the people involved including his children.
I can't say I'm happy after finishing this book. I do feel like I know Hank Williams better than I did prior to reading it, though. This is the best Hank Williams biography I've read, and I recommend it to anyone interested in country music.
I was particularly impressed with how well Hank's childhood and early life were covered. I had absolutely no idea prior to this book how far back his problems went. I was constantly doing math in my head as different incidents of Hank's drinking causing problems appeared to find dates that placed him in his mid-teens.
His meteoric rise and abrupt fall are covered quite skillfully. It even includes his earnings each year. A peek into the psychology of who Hank Williams was as a person is granted through quotes from his friends and associates. Learning the sad details of his last few months was horrifying to me, but it's the truth. I appreciate the truth. We also get a summary of the extensive aftermath following Hank's sudden death and the outcome for the people involved including his children.
I can't say I'm happy after finishing this book. I do feel like I know Hank Williams better than I did prior to reading it, though. This is the best Hank Williams biography I've read, and I recommend it to anyone interested in country music.
March 24, 2014
"Vanilla, boys," Hank Williams would say to his band members if they ever tried to get too fancy in their performances. Ol' Hank liked to keep it simple, and so, too, does Colin Escott and his co-authors in this riveting biography.
No other figure in country music, not even its self-proclaimed "father", Jimmie Rodgers, is the source of so much attention and myth. Hank Williams was only on the national country music scene for about three years before that legendary last ride on New Year's Eve 1952 but his footprint is broad and deep on the music and the culture.
Escott peels away the layers of mythology and confusion surrounding Hank's life and death to reveal the most comprehensive, realistic view of the singer/songwriter ever published. He describes the rise and fall of the star, as well as the aftermath of his death, without ever sensationalizing the material or shying away from the cold, hard facts. It's a fine literary line to walk, and Escott and company do it deftly. The narrative will be compelling even to someone with only a passing curiosity about Hank Williams and country music. The authors allow the reader to make up their own minds about the legendary singer and his short life, while also allowing the facts to subtly add hidden layers of loneliness, fear, loss, love, and pain between the verses of his songs that give them an even deeper resonance sixty-one years after his death. His music was, and still remains emotional, real, and affecting. This biography reinforces that art with honesty, integrity, and respect, and will haunt you long after you've put it down.
No other figure in country music, not even its self-proclaimed "father", Jimmie Rodgers, is the source of so much attention and myth. Hank Williams was only on the national country music scene for about three years before that legendary last ride on New Year's Eve 1952 but his footprint is broad and deep on the music and the culture.
Escott peels away the layers of mythology and confusion surrounding Hank's life and death to reveal the most comprehensive, realistic view of the singer/songwriter ever published. He describes the rise and fall of the star, as well as the aftermath of his death, without ever sensationalizing the material or shying away from the cold, hard facts. It's a fine literary line to walk, and Escott and company do it deftly. The narrative will be compelling even to someone with only a passing curiosity about Hank Williams and country music. The authors allow the reader to make up their own minds about the legendary singer and his short life, while also allowing the facts to subtly add hidden layers of loneliness, fear, loss, love, and pain between the verses of his songs that give them an even deeper resonance sixty-one years after his death. His music was, and still remains emotional, real, and affecting. This biography reinforces that art with honesty, integrity, and respect, and will haunt you long after you've put it down.
April 9, 2017
Not as interesting as I had hoped.
May 21, 2017
Hank Williams is the legend of country music. I'd heard of him long before I ever heard him; my father (who stopped listening to country in the 1970s) took me to visit his grave in Montgomery back in the early nineties, and Williams was a constant Presence in the music I grew up on, haunting the singers of pieces like "Midnight in Montgomery" and "The Ride". Hank Williams: The Biography renders a thorough and sober account of Williams' life, one that appraises the man without romanticism. It is exhaustively detailed, utilizing interviews with those who remember the "Lovesick Blues boy", and also features some commentary on Williams' musical craft.
Part of the legend of Hank Williams' life is that he died young and tragically -- alone, in the back of his car, his heart destroyed by a mixture of alcohol and haphazardly-dosed medicine Easily the most surprising aspect of The Biography is that Williams' chronic alcoholism was not the result of his fame and fortune, but something he fought with for most of his life. From the time a thirteen year old Hank raided some loggers' booze hoard buried in the woods, the young singer would have bouts with the bottle. He did not drink constantly, but once he started on a bender he was hopeless for weeks. Time and again he submitted himself to sanatoriums, especially when he needed to focus on his career, but every time he would stumble. Although there was no shortage of excuses -- constant strife with his wives, the pressure of the road, the constant agony of spinal disease -- Williams' problems were only amplified by his success, not created by them.
Williams was a genuine country boy, the son of poor strawberry farmers who lost everything they had in a fire, a man whose first memories were of living in a boxcar. The Williams moved from place to place in search of a living: after his father was stuck in a VA hospital, the family got by selling peanuts and taking in boarders. That's where Williams got his start singing and selling , down in a little town called Georgiana. Hank was a sickly boy, born with a spinal disease, and that diminished his ability to take part in the roughhousing and hard labor so common to southern men. He could sing, though, and after the family moved to Montgomery he began promoting school shows -- something that would grow into a career. From schoolhouses to bars, Williams became a local star who grew into a southern icon -- and after his death, a national figure. His success was partially his own, from his ability to turn his constant troubles, particularly with his wife, into plaintive songs rendered in simple melody that resonated in the hearts of his country audiences. Although Williams would mature as a writer in his brief window of fame, his re-use of old melodies retained a sense of familarity. He also owed success to his domineering mom, however, who opened her home to his band and who personally sold tickets at early concerts. (His wife Audrey, though she tried to use him for her own ill-conceived musical career, was also a forceful personality who replaced his mother as a manager of sorts after they moved from Montgomery to Shreveport.)
Escott mentions that Williams came along at just the right time when radio was allowing hillbilly music to reach larger audiences, and become of interest to popular musicians: indeed, many of Williams' songs were performed by men on the national stage, like Tony Bennett. Although Williams' financial success came from record sales -- concerts were hit and miss when he was on a bender -- he seemed to think of himself primarily as a songwriter, and was drafting lyrics even on the night his body surrendered to a bad mixture of painkillers and booze. Escott also notes coldly that Williams died at just the right time: his back pains had only increased as time wore on, as had the stress of performing on the road, and despite steady record sales his career seemed to be stalling and on the verge of sinking when he perished. Instead of living to become a forgotten washout, a star that blazed briefly before being eclipsed, Williams became a tragic figure.
As a history of Hank Williams, this appears to be the definitive work, and cushions the detail with humor. One favorite: Escott comments that if everyone who claims to have been in the car with Hank the night he penned "I Saw the Light" was, he would have needed a touring buss to accompany them. Escott also describes Audrey's show house as a tribute to what bad taste and good money can accomplish. Another lady is described as being someone who, if she had been born a canary, would have still sung bass.
Part of the legend of Hank Williams' life is that he died young and tragically -- alone, in the back of his car, his heart destroyed by a mixture of alcohol and haphazardly-dosed medicine Easily the most surprising aspect of The Biography is that Williams' chronic alcoholism was not the result of his fame and fortune, but something he fought with for most of his life. From the time a thirteen year old Hank raided some loggers' booze hoard buried in the woods, the young singer would have bouts with the bottle. He did not drink constantly, but once he started on a bender he was hopeless for weeks. Time and again he submitted himself to sanatoriums, especially when he needed to focus on his career, but every time he would stumble. Although there was no shortage of excuses -- constant strife with his wives, the pressure of the road, the constant agony of spinal disease -- Williams' problems were only amplified by his success, not created by them.
Williams was a genuine country boy, the son of poor strawberry farmers who lost everything they had in a fire, a man whose first memories were of living in a boxcar. The Williams moved from place to place in search of a living: after his father was stuck in a VA hospital, the family got by selling peanuts and taking in boarders. That's where Williams got his start singing and selling , down in a little town called Georgiana. Hank was a sickly boy, born with a spinal disease, and that diminished his ability to take part in the roughhousing and hard labor so common to southern men. He could sing, though, and after the family moved to Montgomery he began promoting school shows -- something that would grow into a career. From schoolhouses to bars, Williams became a local star who grew into a southern icon -- and after his death, a national figure. His success was partially his own, from his ability to turn his constant troubles, particularly with his wife, into plaintive songs rendered in simple melody that resonated in the hearts of his country audiences. Although Williams would mature as a writer in his brief window of fame, his re-use of old melodies retained a sense of familarity. He also owed success to his domineering mom, however, who opened her home to his band and who personally sold tickets at early concerts. (His wife Audrey, though she tried to use him for her own ill-conceived musical career, was also a forceful personality who replaced his mother as a manager of sorts after they moved from Montgomery to Shreveport.)
Escott mentions that Williams came along at just the right time when radio was allowing hillbilly music to reach larger audiences, and become of interest to popular musicians: indeed, many of Williams' songs were performed by men on the national stage, like Tony Bennett. Although Williams' financial success came from record sales -- concerts were hit and miss when he was on a bender -- he seemed to think of himself primarily as a songwriter, and was drafting lyrics even on the night his body surrendered to a bad mixture of painkillers and booze. Escott also notes coldly that Williams died at just the right time: his back pains had only increased as time wore on, as had the stress of performing on the road, and despite steady record sales his career seemed to be stalling and on the verge of sinking when he perished. Instead of living to become a forgotten washout, a star that blazed briefly before being eclipsed, Williams became a tragic figure.
As a history of Hank Williams, this appears to be the definitive work, and cushions the detail with humor. One favorite: Escott comments that if everyone who claims to have been in the car with Hank the night he penned "I Saw the Light" was, he would have needed a touring buss to accompany them. Escott also describes Audrey's show house as a tribute to what bad taste and good money can accomplish. Another lady is described as being someone who, if she had been born a canary, would have still sung bass.
November 3, 2020
Clear-eyed biography of country music’s greatest star. It has its slow parts but overall covers his all-too-short career well. The bits of the book that consider his songwriting process are particularly effective. Oh and there’s an EXCELLENT discography that is worth the price of the book by itself.
The latter parts of the book inevitably focus on his decline as a performer and his inability to escape the grip of alcoholism. And yet his final recording sessions were among his best. Such a wasted talent.
The latter parts of the book inevitably focus on his decline as a performer and his inability to escape the grip of alcoholism. And yet his final recording sessions were among his best. Such a wasted talent.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2022
Hands down the best biography of Hank Williams
February 22, 2019
You can't fault a biographer for the feelings that a historical person gives you, but there's something spine-tinglingly disturbing about Hank Williams. Had he lived in the modern era, health professionals probably would have helped him with his depression (and maybe more). Certainly the alcohol and medicine he consumed did not cure what ailed him. But the musical legacy he left for the rest of us seems almost spiritual in its depth and sincerity.
Escott's book does a great job of getting at the essence of Hank Williams. The book includes numerous anecdotes and moments from his breakthrough at the Opry to many dirty, dusky honky tonks along the way. But if you're looking for an uplifting story about a country music legend, Hank's not the one you want to read about. His broken marriages, broken home, and constantly fractured career make for a tough read, even when well written.
I'll give Escott credit for writing an evocative book, but truthfully he did his job a little too well. I went into this book thinking of Hank as a grandfatherly figure. Sure he might have started a few bar fights or drank a few too many whiskeys, but then again who in grandpa's generation didn't do that? Finding out about the philandering, near-constant drunkenness, and the depths of Williams's despair makes this more than a "poor southern boy makes it big" story. It's more explaining how the fledgling music industry made extreme wealth on the back of a broken man singing songs that broken people needed.
This is a hard book to read, but if you're interested in American music history and/or the history of country music, it's a must read.
Escott's book does a great job of getting at the essence of Hank Williams. The book includes numerous anecdotes and moments from his breakthrough at the Opry to many dirty, dusky honky tonks along the way. But if you're looking for an uplifting story about a country music legend, Hank's not the one you want to read about. His broken marriages, broken home, and constantly fractured career make for a tough read, even when well written.
I'll give Escott credit for writing an evocative book, but truthfully he did his job a little too well. I went into this book thinking of Hank as a grandfatherly figure. Sure he might have started a few bar fights or drank a few too many whiskeys, but then again who in grandpa's generation didn't do that? Finding out about the philandering, near-constant drunkenness, and the depths of Williams's despair makes this more than a "poor southern boy makes it big" story. It's more explaining how the fledgling music industry made extreme wealth on the back of a broken man singing songs that broken people needed.
This is a hard book to read, but if you're interested in American music history and/or the history of country music, it's a must read.
October 14, 2015
I've gone on a bit of a Tom Hiddleston related reading spree in recent weeks and I picked this up ahead of seeing him take on the role of the American singer in upcoming biopic 'I Saw The Light'. I had already listened to more than 20 of Hank's songs so was familiar with his music, but as for his personal life, aside from his rocky first marriage and death at the age of 29 in the back of a car, I found this book hugely informative, detailed and well written. Escott has clearly put a lot of time and effort into producing this book, having spoken with a number of his former band-mates (AKA The Drifting Cowboys) and featured snippets from various interviews Hank gave throughout the central six years of his life. There are also some photographs in the centre pages which offer, for those unaware of Williams, a look at him through the years, with members of his family such as his mum Lilly and sister Irene, and with his first wife Audrey. I had thought, given the size of this book (it's well over 300 pages), that I might get a little fed up or bored by the content, but instead I read over 200 pages of it in one sitting alone, and for a look into the life of one of the most iconic music artists ever, certainly in America, this is pretty good.
January 20, 2021
The life and times of a disagreeable drunk with a knack for ruining every good thing he had and throwing away opportunity at the drop of a hat. By some miraculous stroke of grace, this man who was just as likely to stiff his own band as he was to pass out and piss himself on a nightly basis was one of the strongest songwriters country music's ever seen. He's very much a product of his place and time, so expect him to work with blackface entertainers and call one of his assistants "N*****hair". Sure, you can't really fault him for his addictions - a spinal defect like the one he was born with would make even the best man drag himself to the bottom to get rid of the pain. But he, overall, was not a good man who did good things and this book (while certainly attempting to heap blame on every woman in his life) doesn't really prop him up as anything else. The smartest decision Hank Williams seems to have made for his career was to die right before rock & roll swept hillbilly country out of the playing field entirely. An interesting chronicle of a man you're better off not knowing.
February 7, 2016
This was a very interesting, well and fairly researched, approachable biography, with lots of charming if salty opinions ("Jessie Lillybelle Skipper was a delicate name for a woman who, had she been a canary, would have sung bass." Right off the bat - hilarious.). Hank's story is one of tremendous talent combined with tragic addiction - his story shares so many parallels to the Winehouse story. It's well worth reading and understanding (and yes, I'm looks forward to the movie).
May 15, 2018
Tons of details, and maybe this isn't the author's fault, but in this telling, this is a story of a drunk not a musician - and that makes the journey a mostly depressing one ... Lots to love about Hank's music, (but if these 400 pages are a fair representation) not too much to love about Hank the person
June 2, 2021
There is little doubt that when it comes to iconic country and western musicians Hank Williams is the most well-known and arguably the most notorious. This biography by Colin Escott may not be the definitive book on Williams, however it certainly is well researched, fulsome in its description of Williams’ work, and captures ‘The “Lovesick Blues” Boy’ warts and all.
This biography achieves what all good books of a similar type should, that is an understanding of the personality and the times of each subject, plus an appreciation of the unique historical context and cultural and social movements that affected the subject as well. Escott depicts with unerring accuracy several influences on Williams’ personal and professional life. This includes, for example, the complex relationships Williams had with the women in his life. Escott also outline in gruelling detail the sheer slog that the country music legend went through to achieve success, followed by his self-inflicted demise as an artist. The booze and pills may now be synonymous with the rock’n’roll lifestyle. However one can see that Williams experienced addictions and traumas that were just as relevant to the milieu he lived and worked in. The strange mix of God-fearing, hard-drinking, sentimental womanising culture that produced Hank Williams is all there in this book.
Perhaps the best aspect of this biography is that the author doesn’t fall into the trap of either idolising or damning Williams. His Hank is fully human, even if it means he could be both a drunk and a genius at the same time. Escott does his best to give Williams a voice in his own story, though this is well nigh impossible considering the dominant narrative about him outlined post-Mortensen by his mother and wives.
Escott prose is not perfect; at times the reader loses track of the myriad characters who impinged on Williams’ life. There are hints that the author also pads his biography out a bit due to the brevity of Williams’ career. Every major and a few minor personalities are given plenty of page space, no matter how tenuous their lives are in connection to Williams’. However the main players such as Hank’s mother Lilly, his wives Audrey and Billie Jean, and his musical colleagues Fred Rose etc are all presented with appropriate depth.
In conclusion, this book is a highly worthy biography of Hank Williams. It provides all the necessary detail for anyone interested in the man, his career and how he helped shape country music. One may not come out of the book with a changed attitude about his stature or his personality, dependent on one’s pre-existing knowledge, however all who read the book will be far more aware of who Hank was.
This biography achieves what all good books of a similar type should, that is an understanding of the personality and the times of each subject, plus an appreciation of the unique historical context and cultural and social movements that affected the subject as well. Escott depicts with unerring accuracy several influences on Williams’ personal and professional life. This includes, for example, the complex relationships Williams had with the women in his life. Escott also outline in gruelling detail the sheer slog that the country music legend went through to achieve success, followed by his self-inflicted demise as an artist. The booze and pills may now be synonymous with the rock’n’roll lifestyle. However one can see that Williams experienced addictions and traumas that were just as relevant to the milieu he lived and worked in. The strange mix of God-fearing, hard-drinking, sentimental womanising culture that produced Hank Williams is all there in this book.
Perhaps the best aspect of this biography is that the author doesn’t fall into the trap of either idolising or damning Williams. His Hank is fully human, even if it means he could be both a drunk and a genius at the same time. Escott does his best to give Williams a voice in his own story, though this is well nigh impossible considering the dominant narrative about him outlined post-Mortensen by his mother and wives.
Escott prose is not perfect; at times the reader loses track of the myriad characters who impinged on Williams’ life. There are hints that the author also pads his biography out a bit due to the brevity of Williams’ career. Every major and a few minor personalities are given plenty of page space, no matter how tenuous their lives are in connection to Williams’. However the main players such as Hank’s mother Lilly, his wives Audrey and Billie Jean, and his musical colleagues Fred Rose etc are all presented with appropriate depth.
In conclusion, this book is a highly worthy biography of Hank Williams. It provides all the necessary detail for anyone interested in the man, his career and how he helped shape country music. One may not come out of the book with a changed attitude about his stature or his personality, dependent on one’s pre-existing knowledge, however all who read the book will be far more aware of who Hank was.
November 14, 2023
(The primary author of this is Colin Escott, I'm not sure why GR lists MacEwen first.) A haunting book about a haunted man. I really dug it -- it captures that desolate feeling of losing your grip the same way Williams' best music does, and it really goes a long way toward explaining how quickly country music changed in his wake and why there can never really be another like him. Also draws an unexpected parallel with more recent tragedies like Prince and Tom Petty since Williams was also essentially over-prescribed with painkillers that led to his death, though his back pain and alcoholism were so severe that Escott argues he wouldn't have lived much longer anyway. Obviously the book is depressing, but it's so full of fascinating detail and really captures the miraculous genius of Williams' writing and singing -- though it's also surprisingly tough-minded and critical, which I always appreciate.
November 22, 2019
It was a very good book; but I wish that the author had left some of it out; like how gross it got when Hank was very drunk. It was brutally honest. He had a terrible life; despite the fame. Hank had a terribly painful back and that's why he got into drinking and drugs; to ease the pain. Unfortunately; he was so addicted that people didn't want to be around him. He lost his family and his livelihood because of the addiction. He was the best country singer; yet he had a tragic life. His father left when he was a child; leaving his mother to raise him and his sister. They were very poor. Hank was a kind person that helped others; but the addiction turned him into another person when he was drunk. The doctors that gave him the drugs should have been sued. Hank died at the age of 29; it was so tragic. He was a wonderful singer and song writer. R.I.P. Hank Williams.
April 20, 2018
An interesting and well written book, which keeps the reader engaged throughout. It definitely chips away at the romantic image of Hank that has been created since his death nearly 70 years ago. Escott doesn't hold back on the negative, but also shows the determination and hard work that Hank put in. You feel for the guy - he was worked to death.
Escott is especially hard on Hank's first wife, Audrey. While it may be granted (she seems like a piece of work), I felt like sometimes he was just belabouring the point.
Overall I really enjoyed "Hank Williams: The Biography" and would recommend to anyone interested in the history of the music business.
Escott is especially hard on Hank's first wife, Audrey. While it may be granted (she seems like a piece of work), I felt like sometimes he was just belabouring the point.
Overall I really enjoyed "Hank Williams: The Biography" and would recommend to anyone interested in the history of the music business.
June 16, 2022
Im a big fan of Hank Williams music - it was always being played at home when I was a child and I was brought up knowing all the words of his songs! Hey good lookin - Jambalya - I saw the light etc etc were also some of the first songs I ever learnt to play on the guitar
I really enjoyed this book and although I thought I already knew most of his life story I did learn many new and interesting facts.
Like many others he led a troubled and volitile life - often coming across as a troubled spirit but with an enormous talent that has made him a music legend and influencer of almost every country singer / songwriter since.
A tragic death - but my oh my what a talent!
I really enjoyed this book and although I thought I already knew most of his life story I did learn many new and interesting facts.
Like many others he led a troubled and volitile life - often coming across as a troubled spirit but with an enormous talent that has made him a music legend and influencer of almost every country singer / songwriter since.
A tragic death - but my oh my what a talent!
Read
December 12, 2024Pretty much everything you need to know about Hank Williams is here. I knew the general outline of Hank's life, but Escott fills in the details. For instance, I didn't know about the scope of Fred Rose's involvement in Hank's music and overall career.
The writing is sometimes dry, especially in the first half when lots of facts are recounted. It becomes more lively and engaging in the second half when Escott leans on his own analysis. His voice comes through in those sections where he discusses the music and lyrics (though I was shocked at how he brushes off some songs, like "Lonesome Whistle" - come on man, that song's great!).
The writing is sometimes dry, especially in the first half when lots of facts are recounted. It becomes more lively and engaging in the second half when Escott leans on his own analysis. His voice comes through in those sections where he discusses the music and lyrics (though I was shocked at how he brushes off some songs, like "Lonesome Whistle" - come on man, that song's great!).
August 26, 2019
This book set out to present the true story of Hank Williams and separate out all the legendary, hero-worship stuff. I think the objective was accomplished but it came at the expense of creating well-fleshed out Hank Williams character. It does bring to life the cultural context in which the country star rose to fame and describes how Williams was a game changer. I certainly know a lot more about pre-rock&roll era of music than before I read the book. The final pages of the book describing Williams decline and death were macabre and fascinating as well.
May 28, 2021
Interesting and informative book, especially once it got rolling into Hank's main career. The late 1940s and early 1950s went in depth. It's enjoyable to spend time unpacking what happened year by year. I appreciate how Escott discussed rumors or competing eyewitness accounts and sought to clear up what was the most reputable information about Hank. Hank isn't treated as a saint to be worshipped; his issues are discussed straightforwardly and factually; and in that, we get a clearer picture of who this man was, and what he did and didn't contribute during the course of his career.
May 17, 2024
If you care about all the trivialities of record sales and dates, this biography is great. I was hoping for a more intimate look into Hank Williams the man, at least abstract from the rigid statistical existence of Hank Williams the artists, and while it was there, it is so obfuscated to be enjoyable.
I do feel like I have a better sense of who Hank Williams the man was, I just wasn't happy with the journey to get there.
I do feel like I have a better sense of who Hank Williams the man was, I just wasn't happy with the journey to get there.
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January 3, 2022Unless you're into music history and stats you'll not like this book. It was a dull read but with the background and stats it was worth the read. Escott gets down to the nitty-gritty about Hank and Audrey. If you're think of the 1960's movie, forget it. In that movie Audrey rewrote Hank's whole life to fit her own narrative.
May 30, 2023
Great read and research on Hank.
This book 📚is very well researched and has information that I didn't,t know. Hank was a prolific songwriter and could have gone on to greater things, but, as in so many cases his life got in the way. Worth the read.
This book 📚is very well researched and has information that I didn't,t know. Hank was a prolific songwriter and could have gone on to greater things, but, as in so many cases his life got in the way. Worth the read.
February 28, 2025
I grew up on Hank Williams and Tex Ritter on 78’s and LP’s. When I got married in 1972, the county band we saw in concert, dedicated a Hank Williams song to us…Your Cheating Heart…😃! Ten years later she fulfilled that “prophecy”. A memorable moment, both.
May 31, 2023
I would aspire to write a biography this well. In my opinion biographies can loose luster or just have moments that are dull, that’s life.
October 7, 2023
Boring.
January 12, 2024
The only Hank Williams book you will ever need to read.
April 16, 2024
"If anyone in my business knew as much about their business as the public did," he said elliptically, "they'd be all right."
November 27, 2024
Good story but
Author does not know how to punctuate correctly, especially when using singular and plural possessive tenses involving names ending in 's'.
Author does not know how to punctuate correctly, especially when using singular and plural possessive tenses involving names ending in 's'.
July 30, 2025
Wow! This one probably made some folks down in Alabama mad
October 4, 2020
Too much history of everyone except Hank.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews