“If we all could sound like we wanted to, we'd all sound like George Jones.” - Waylon Jennings
This is the second in the "Legends of Country Music" series.
This does for Country Music what "The Legends of Rock & Roll" series does for rock and roll. It is a mini-biography of one the great performers from Country Music, George Jones.
George Jones has been called the greatest Country Music singer of all time.
I have always loved every genre of music, but didn't get introduced to Country Music until the early Eighties. Once converted, I was a total country fan.
This book is about George Jones, his life, his ups and his downs. It is a brief biography but I include all of the major points in the life of this great
musician. But even more importantly, it's about the music. This series is my way of honoring the people that have brought so much joy to our lives over the years.
This is an unauthorized fan tribute.
Inside you'll find:
Introduction - Remarks about George Jones in general and a kick-off for the book.
Growing Up in Texas - Like so many before and after, George started with humble beginnings.
Marriage Number One - George would be married four times, the first when he was just seventeen.
Starday Records - The first record label that gave him his first big break.
Marriage Number Two - After the disaster of marriage number one, he tries again.
"White Lightning" - His first number one hit.
Melba Montgomery - George starts to become known for his duets with other performers.
George Jones and Gene Pitney - Another collaborator was Gene Pitney.
The Legend of the Lawn Mower - Did George really ride a lawn mower eight miles to town? Twice?
Marriage Number Two - Tammy Wynette - Country royalty was formed.
The King and First Lady of Country Music - George and Tammy are together in private and professional lives.
Trouble in Paradise - George's drinking threatens to end his marriage for the third time.
The End of the Royal Marriage - Tammy finally walks out and it's over.
"Golden Ring" - The story of one of George and Tammy's best duets.
"He Stopped Loving Her Today" - Some call this the greatest country song ever written.
Marriage Number Four - The fourth time is the charm as George finally gets it together and makes it work.
The End of Traditional Country - Country music changes in the Nineties, but George won't change with it.
Tammy Passes Away - We lose the First Lady of Country Music.
The Declining Years - George is still the best, but not selling many records anymore.
The Last Few Years - The end finally comes as George passes away.
Legacy of George Jones - Every Legends book has a Legacy section where I review the awards and contributions of the artist.
Afterword - My closing thoughts.
Selected Discography - A list of the major works by George Jones.
