How The World Learned Of The Death Of Hank Williams {Listen}

His name is beyond legendary. It has moved into the mythic category, a name and an artist that is bigger than life. An American Icon.

And  amazingly, he was just 29 years old when he died.

By the end of 1952 Hank Williams had well established himself as country music's biggest star. Except it wasn't known as 'country music' at the time. Country & Western music? Yes, by many. Hillbilly music? Yes, by many more.

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By the time 1953 dawned, Hank already had an impressive catalog of hit's, no matter what you called it. From 'Move It On Over' to 'Lovesick Blues', 'Mind Your own Business' to 'Long Gone Lonesome Blues' to 'Hey Good Lookin' and so many more.  In fact, in the two years of 1951-1952 alone he had an astounding fourteen Top Ten hits. By his 29th birthday Hank Williams was a bonafide superstar, heard on radios from coast to coast and around the world. He was one of the biggest stars in all of music.

That's why they world was shocked when they first heard on New Years Day, 1953 that Hank Williams had died.

Unbelievable. That was the one word that described the reaction to the radio broadcast. How could this young 29 year old man that millions loved be gone? It can't be true, and yet it was.

Listen to this historic radio broadcast telling the world of the death of Hank Williams, and take note of what Hank is called: Folk singer, hillbilly singer. He couldn't be put into a category then, and he's become even more legendary over 65 years later.