Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Ferlin Husky has died, according to a report from The Tennessean. The 85-year-old had been suffering from congestive heart failure and hospitalized in recent weeks.
From 1953-1975, he charted almost 50 singles, including signature songs “Wings of a Dove,” and “Gone.”
The Missouri native got his start in the music business with a DJ gig in Bakersfield, CA, where he would become an architect of that area’s country music scene.
He signed his first record deal in 1949, and by ’51 had replaced Tennessee Ernie Ford on the Hometown Jamboree television show. It was in this way that he met Cliffie Stone, who helped him sign with Capitol Records a year later. His first singles were recorded under the stage name Terry Preston. He was also known to go by the comedic alter ego, Simon Crum.
Husky’s career breakthrough came from his part in the Jean Shepard hit “A Dear John Letter.” The two reunited later for the follow up answer song, “Forgive Me John.”
Husky topped the Billboard Country singles chart for 10 weeks in 1957 with “Gone,” featuring the production work of Ken Nelson and backing vocals by the revered Jordanaires and songstress Millie Kirkham. In retrospect, historians would deem that track one of the earliest examples of the Nashville Sound production style.
In 1960, Husky released his signature hit, “Wings of a Dove,” which was No. 1 on the Billboard Country singles chart for 10 weeks.
Husky dabbled in acting and made appearances on several of the top television variety shows of the time, including The Steve Allen Show and Toast of the Town.
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