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Hank Williams
artist

Hank Williams

Hank Williams is a country artist from United States formed in 1937. 49 releases are catalogued on Riffiter.

Country · United States · Best country albums

1 follower
5.0 /5
1 rating
49
Releases
1953–2026
Active years
1937
Formed

Discography

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The Complete Hank Williams cover

Most popular

The Complete Hank Williams

1998 · 110 tracks

Singles & EPs

3

Live & compilations

14

Credits

1

Records Hank Williams worked on for other artists — the roles are as credited on each release.

Appears on

4

Releases by other artists featuring Hank Williams.

Featured tracks

4

Collaborators

5

Community

More about Hank Williams

Hank Williams at a glance

Born in
Mount Olive
From
United States
Active since
1937
Instruments
guitar, voice
Member of
Hank Williams With His Drifting Cowboys
Labels
MGM Records, Sterling Records
Educated at
Sidney Lanier High School
Former spouse
Billie Jean Jones (1952–1953), Audrey Williams (1944–1954)
Children
Jett Williams, Hank Williams Jr.

Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Children listed are those with their own public record, so the list may be incomplete.

About

Hank Williams, born Hiram King Williams, was an American singer-songwriter and musician regarded as one of the most important country music artists of all time. Williams recorded 35 singles (five released posthumously) that would place in the Top 10 of the Billboard Country & Western Best Sellers chart, including 11 that ranked number one. Born in Mount Olive, Butler County, Alabama, Williams moved to Georgiana, where he met Rufus Payne, a black street performer who gave him guitar lessons in exchange for meals or money. Payne had a major influence on Williams's later musical style. During this time, Williams informally changed his name to Hank, believing it to be a better name for country music. After moving to Montgomery, Williams began his career in 1937 when WSFA radio station producers hired him to perform and host a 15-minute program. He formed as backup the Drifting Cowboys band, which was managed by his mother, and dropped out of school to devote all of his time to his career.

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When several of his band members were conscripted to military service during World War II, Williams had trouble with their replacements and started drinking heavily, causing WSFA to dismiss him. Williams eventually married Audrey Sheppard, who became his manager for nearly a decade. After recording "Never Again" and "Honky Tonkin'" with Sterling Records, he signed a contract with MGM Records. In 1948 he released "Move it on Over," which became a hit, and also joined the Louisiana Hayride radio program. In 1949, he released a cover of "Lovesick Blues," which carried him into the mainstream of music. After an initial rejection, Williams joined the Grand Ole Opry. He had 11 number one songs between 1948 and 1953, though he was unable to read or notate music to any significant degree. Among the hits he wrote were "Your Cheatin' Heart," "Hey, Good Lookin'," and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." During his last years Williams's consumption of alcohol, morphine and other painkillers severely compromised his professional and personal life. He divorced his wife and was dismissed by the Grand Ole Opry due to frequent drunkenness. Williams died suddenly in the early morning hours of New Years Day in 1953 at the age of 29 from heart failure brought on by pills and alcohol. Despite his short life, Williams has had a major influence on country music. The songs he wrote and recorded have been covered by numerous artists, many of whom have also had hits with the tunes, in a range of pop, gospel, blues and rock styles.

Hank Williams in brief

How many Hank Williams releases are on Riffiter?
49 releases are catalogued, spanning 1953 to 2026.
When was Hank Williams formed?
Hank Williams formed in 1937, in United States.
What genre is Hank Williams?
Hank Williams is catalogued under Country, Classic Country.
What is the most recent Hank Williams release on Riffiter?
Hank Williams As Luke The Drifter (Expanded Edition), released in 2026.
Does Hank Williams have children?
Jett Williams, Hank Williams Jr. are children of Hank Williams on public record.

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