It Was 50 Years Ago When Hank Williams Jr.’s Life Changed Forever

A few weeks back, Hank Williams Jr. turned 76 years old, but if things had gone a little differently on this day, he might not be here at all.

Have you ever wondered why Hank Williams Jr. wears his sunglasses, cowboy hat, and beard wherever he goes? Well, there's a reason he does, and it goes back 50 years ago.

Hank Williams Jr. (Bocephus to his family and friends) was on his way up in 1975. After years of being a bonafide cover artist by touring around the country and playing his famous father's songs (his mother's advice), Hank was writing his own songs and building a name for himself.

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On August 8th, 1975, Hank was hiking high up on Ajax Peak in Montana. Suddenly the snow collapsed underneath him and he fell, and fell, and fell. Almost 500 feet the singer fell. When he finally landed, he had lost all of his teeth, one of his eyes was outside of its socket, his face was badly disfigured, and even his skull was cracked wide open, exposing part of his brain.

At the time of his injury, Doctors were skeptical of his recovery. He did, of course, recover, but it was a long, long road. In fact, it took Hank a full two years to recuperate from his injuries. When he did he was a changed man. He stopped trying to imitate his father and found his own sound. He also gave himself his new signature look, with a beard, sunglasses and hat.

By the late 70s, Hank Jr. was cranking out hits left and right. Songs like Family Tradition, Whiskey Bent And Hell Bound, and Women I've Never Had gave Bocephus a new and faithful audience. The country music icon hasn't looked back since.

To learn more about the day that changed Hank Jr's life forever, check out the YouTube video below from Facts Verse.