Biography of Johnny Horton

Horton is remembered mainly for his popular historical "saga" songs such as "The Battle of New Orleans," "North to Alaska" and "Johnny Reb." However, during his brief career (he was killed in a car wreck in 1960 at the height of his popularity), he also produced a body of work that influences country singers today. Exemplified by songs like "Honky Tonk Man" (covered by Dwight Yoakam), "I'm Comin' Home," and "One Woman Man" (recently a hit for George Jones), this style bridged the gap between honky-tonk and rockabilly, with the chugging, twangy, picked-close-to-the-bridge guitar of Grady Martin perfectly complementing and answering Horton's vibrant and expressive singing. Horton has a fine voice with a huge range, versatile enough to adapt to almost any kind of song. On his (Honkyabilly? Rock-a-tonk?) sides he swoops effortlessly from low notes to high, adding just the right growling edge when needed, and the most effective use of the vocal "break" or "tear" since Hank Williams. ~ George Bedard