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Webb Pierce

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Webb Pierce was born in West Monroe, Louisiana, in 1921. As a child he listened to records by Jimmie Rodgers and to western swing and Cajun music, and at fifteen he got his own radio show. He performed in Shreveport and joined the Louisiana Hayride. There he put together a group of local musicians that included, among others, the pianist Floyd Cramer and the guitarist and singer Faron Young. In 1951 he signed with Decca. His second single, Wondering, became his first number one on the country chart in 1952.

Music and breakthrough

In September 1952 he took a place in the Grand Ole Opry, vacated after the dismissal of Hank Williams. After Williams's death Pierce became the most popular country singer. His hits include There Stands the Glass from 1953, Slowly from 1954, More and More from 1954 and In the Jailhouse Now from 1955, which stayed at number one for 21 weeks. Slowly was the first successful record to feature a pedal steel guitar. His voice was described as a whining, whiskey-tinged tenor full of emotion. In the 1950s he had more number one hits than any other country artist. He also sang duets with Kitty Wells and in 1958 recorded a rockabilly record under the name Shady Wall.

Influence

Pierce was notorious for his extravagant lifestyle, with flashy Nudie suits, two convertibles with silver dollars set into the upholstery and a guitar-shaped swimming pool. He went on making records until 1982, including a duet with Willie Nelson of In the Jailhouse Now. He died in 1991 and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001. Pierce was the face of the honky-tonk of the 1950s, just before the arrival of rock 'n' roll.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to In the Jailhouse Now and notice the high, whining tenor voice. Can you hear how the voice is up front, with the band behind it?

Discography

Studio albums

Mentioned in other articles

See also

Categories: Artists