by Robert Wilkinson
Starting our Saturday early with a pioneer of rockabilly and country. Primarily known in the world of country music, Hank Cochran was a major songwriter who gave Willie Nelson a big boost early in his career.
Hank Cochran (August 2, 1935 – July 15, 2010) was once part of a duo featuring Eddie Cochran (no relationship), and though there is little left of their collaboration, remember that Eddie in his extremely short career (died at 21) gave us the immortal “Summertime Blues.”
Hank was mainly known for his many country hits in the 1960s, made famous by Patsy Cline, Ray Price, Eddy Arnold and others. His recording career in the 60s and 70s saw him score hits seven times on the country music charts, with his biggest solo success being "Sally Was a Good Old Girl." Today I’ll give you a few from Hank!
He went to CA as a teen to pick olives, and while there he formed “The Cochran Brothers” with Eddie. From 1956, the “Cochran Brothers” in the very rockabilly “Latch On “
Also from 1956, “Open the Door”
This could have been written as an answer to “Ready Teddy” or “Oh Boy.” “I’m Ready” (1956)
This is not the Larry Williams classic, but it’s pretty straight up rockabilly. “Slow Down”
Here are two gigantic hits he wrote that others took to the top of the charts!
He wrote this monster hit with Harlan Howard, which went to #1. First, a live performance by the immortal Patsy Cline doing her signature hit “I Fall To Pieces”
We'll follow that classic with another great version by Papa Nez with some of Red Rhodes' best pedal steel work! "I Fall to Pieces"
He also wrote “She’s Got You”
Then we have the great Eddy Arnold performing another Hank Cochran song which went to #1, “Make the World Go Away”
For our closer, from 1980 with Willie Nelson, “Sally Was A Good Ole Girl”
Happy RIP birthday, Hank. You are one of the greats of country music.
© Copyright 2024 Robert Wilkinson
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