Hank Locklin

Hank Locklin (born Lawrence Hankins Locklin, February 15 1918, McLellan, Florida) is an American country music singer-songwriter.

Born in the Florida Panhandle, he is one of country music's Honky Tonk singers. He first recorded for 4 Star Records. A member of the Grand Ole Opry, Locklin's biggest hits include "Send Me the Pillow That You Dream On", "Geisha Girl", and "Please Help Me I'm Falling", which went to No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music chart. Billboard Magazine's 100th Anniversary issue also listed it as the second most successful country single of the Rock and Roll era.

Locklin has a fanclub situated in Langeli, Bjerkreim, Norway.

Locklin had a strong following in Europe, and in Ireland - his popularity was such that in 1963 he recorded an album called "Irish Songs Country Style".

Other hits for Locklin included, "Happy Journey" (1961), "Happy Birthday To Me" (1962), and "The Country Hall Of Fame" (1968).

In 2006, he appeared on the PBS special, "Country Pop Legends" in which he performed "Send Me The Pillow That You Dream On", and "Please Help Me I'm Falling".

As of 2008, he is the oldest living member of the Grand Ole Opry at the age of 90.

Locklin recently released his 65th album, "By the Grace of God", a collection of gospel songs.

Tributes

In 1989 the BBC television broadcasted the documentary "Bringing it all back home", in which U2 performed one of his most beautiful songs, "Wild Irish Rose" (1964). This song was played once only and never recorded on disc by the famous irish group.

References

*Trott, Walt. "Hank Locklin". In "The Encyclopedia of Country Music". Paul Kingsbury, Editor. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 300-1.