Waylon Jennings was an American country singer who was born in 1937 and died in 2002, aged 64. Though he is best known amongst the general public as the voice of The Dukes of Hazzard his career has seen him release over 50 solo studio albums and forge fruitful collaborations with his peers, including a recording history with Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Cash as The Highwaymen.
His early career was hampered by his resistance to Nashville's stranglehold method of recording but he formed an alliance with Willie Nelson who was similarly challenged by the lack of creative control. The two singers hired Neil Reshen to re-negotiate their Nashville contracts. The result was a new contract with unprecedented control and the start of the "Outlaw" country movement. The albums Lonesome, On'ry and Mean and Honky Tonk Heroes>, released in 1973, were the first albums he released which he could truly call his own work. Their release heralded a rise to fame and a worrying cocaine habit. It was a habit which left him bankrupt by the early 80s and led to his decision to clean up.
His career continued apace, though he had developed diabetes which made touring more difficult in the latter years. He died in 2002 as a result of diabetic complications.
Getty Images
Waylon Jennings in Concert at Alex Cooley's Capri Ballroom in Atlanta - February 17, 1979
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