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66 Years Ago Today, We Lost the “Singing Fisherman,” a Country Legend Whose Songs Were Covered by Johnny Cash, George Jones, and Dwight Yoakam
Country singer and songwriter Johnny Horton died on 5 November 1960, aged 35, after a head-on crash near Milano, Texas. His death cut short a successful period in which he was known for history-themed hits and songs later recorded by major country artists.
Horton was travelling from Austin to Shreveport with bandmates Tommy Tomlinson and Tillman Franks when their car struck an oncoming truck on a bridge; both bandmates survived, though they were injured. Horton’s own hits included “Honky-Tonk Man” and “I’m a One-Woman Man”, while “When It’s Springtime in Alaska” reached No. 1. Dwight Yoakam and George Jones later took their versions of Horton’s songs to No. 9 and No. 5 respectively, and Johnny Cash recorded a tribute to his friend.
In short
- Johnny Horton died in a Texas car crash on 5 November 1960.
- His hits included “Honky-Tonk Man” and “North to Alaska”.
- Songs he wrote were later hits for Yoakam and Jones.
Explained simply
Johnny Horton was an American country singer and songwriter who became known for songs about people and events from the past, as well as honky-tonk country music. His recordings included “When It’s Springtime in Alaska”, which reached the top of the US country chart, and “Honky-Tonk Man”.
Horton’s songs continued to reach audiences through recordings by other country singers, including George Jones and Dwight Yoakam. Johnny Cash, a friend of Horton’s, also recorded a tribute to him.
Horton died in a car crash in Texas in 1960, aged 35. His bandmates Tommy Tomlinson and Tillman Franks were injured in the crash and survived.