Eighteen years ago today, Hoyt Axton died.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Last edited Sat Aug 17, 2019, 04:31 PM - Edit history (1)

Hat tip, http://www.thisdayinmusic.com/

Now there was a musical family.

Hoyt Wayne Axton (March 25, 1938 – October 26, 1999) was an American folk music singer-songwriter, guitarist and a film and television actor. He became prominent in the early-1960s, establishing himself on the West Coast as a folk singer with an earthy style and powerful voice. As he matured, some of his songwriting became well known throughout the world. Among them were "Joy to the World", "The Pusher", "No No Song", "Greenback Dollar", "Della and the Dealer" and "Never Been to Spain".

Life and career

Born in Duncan, Oklahoma, Axton spent his pre-teen years in Comanche, Oklahoma, with his brother, John. His mother, Mae Boren Axton, a songwriter, co-wrote the classic rock 'n' roll song "Heartbreak Hotel", which became the first major hit for Elvis Presley.
....

Last years and death

Axton struggled with cocaine addiction and several of his songs, including "The Pusher", "Snowblind Friend", and "No-No Song", partly reflect his negative drug experiences. He was a proponent of drug use for many years until when, in February 1997, he and his wife were arrested at their Montana home for possession of approximately 500 grams of marijuana (a little over a pound). His wife explained later that she offered Axton marijuana to relieve pain and stress following a 1995 stroke. Both were fined and given deferred sentences.

Axton never fully recovered from his stroke, and had to use a wheelchair much of the time. His mother, Mae, drowned in a hot tub at her Tennessee home in 1997, after suffering a heart attack. Hoyt Axton died of a heart attack at his home in Victor, Montana, on October 26, 1999, at the age of 61, after suffering a massive heart attack two weeks earlier.

On November 1, 2007, he and his mother were inducted posthumously in to the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

Since his mom wrote a hit for Elvis, let's start with the King:

elvis presley-never been to spain (elvis on tour 1972)
386,825 views

elvispresleyILU
Published on Mar 27, 2008

the king!

Here's Hoyt Axton himself. Per the information at Youtube, "This performance was recorded live at Church Street Station in Orlando, Florida." It looks like a really swell joint, doesn't it?

Hoyt Axton - Boney Fingers
27,951 views

onemediamusic
Published on May 3, 2015

Hoyt Wayne Axton (March 25, 1938 – October 26, 1999) was an American folk music singer-songwriter, and a film and television actor. He became prominent in the early 1960s, establishing himself on the West Coast as a folk singer with an earthy style and powerful voice.

Hoyt Axton's highest charting song in the US was 'Boney Fingers', which peaked at number 8 on Billboard magazine's 'Hot Country Songs' chart.

This performance was recorded live at Church Street Station in Orlando, Florida.

I could never leave this one out:

Hoyt Axton - Joy To The World (Live at Farm Aid 1985)
29,248 views

Farm Aid
Published on Jan 18, 2013

Hoyt Axton performs "Joy To The World" live at the Farm Aid concert in Champaign, Illinois on September 22, 1985. Farm Aid was started by Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp in 1985 to keep family farmers on the land and has worked since then to make sure everyone has access to good food from family farmers. Dave Matthews joined Farm Aid's board of directors in 2001.

For more information about Farm Aid, visit: http://farmaid.org/youtube

Farm Aid's performances are donated by the artists in order to raise funds and raise awareness for family farmers. They've raised their voices to help — what can you do?

Or this:

Easy Rider (1969) The Pusher (Opening Scene)
335,725 views

W. Carter
Published on Apr 28, 2014

Directed by Dennis Hopper. Starring Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, and Jack Nicholson. Wyatt and Billy are two motorcycle riders (bikers) on their way to Mardis Gras, and encounter hitchhikers, a drunken lawyer, a jail cell, a whorehouse and the death of a friend. Music by Steppenwolf, The Pusher.

On drums, Joey Edmonton:

Happy 71st birthday, Jerry Edmonton.

[TexasBushwhacker]

1. He was a pretty decent character actor too

I remember him from a movie called Endangered Species w/ JoBeth Williams.

[yallerdawg]

2. He did "Gremlins," too, memorably.

I'll remember him from the juke-box in my old barhopping days in Texas back in the '70's.

Like an old friend.

[Aristus]

3. I remember the first time I read the songwriter credit for Three Dog Night's "Joy To The World".

I thought: "Hoyt Axton? That guy from Gremlins?"



I know better now...