Hank Locklin

Hank Locklin (born Lawrence Hankins Locklin; February 15, 1918 – March 8, 2009) was an American country music singer-songwriter. He had 70 chart singles, including two number one hits on Billboard's country chart. His biggest hits included "Send Me the Pillow You Dream On" and his signature "Please Help Me, I'm Falling". The latter also went to number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music chart. Billboard's 100th anniversary issue listed it as the second most successful country single of the rock and roll era. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA.

Locklin was born and raised in Florida. He developed a fondness for country music following an accident in his childhood. He learned to play the guitar during his recovery and began performing locally as well. In his early adulthood, he formed his own band called the Rocky Mountain Playboys, which played gigs and performed on local radio. Locklin was heard singing during one of these gigs, which led to his first recording contract in 1949. He had his first major hit on the Billboard country chart the same year. His 1953 single "Let Me Be the One" was his first to top the country chart.

In 1955, Locklin signed with RCA Victor Records and under the production of Chet Atkins, he had his biggest success as a country artist. He had a string of major hits during the late 1950s and early 1960s. He also joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry and remained a member for nearly 50 years. He became a major concert attraction internationally as well, touring overseas in Europe beginning in the 1960s and 70s. Locklin also recorded a handful of concept albums during this period, which made him among the genre's first artists to release albums centered around a theme. He later recorded for other labels, including MGM, Plantation and Coldwater. Despite his country success, Locklin never lived in Nashville, choosing to stay in Florida. Locklin died in 2009 at the age of 91.

Birth and Death Data: Born February 15, 1918 (Santa Rosa County), Died March 8, 2009 (Brewton)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1947 - 1954

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist, songwriter

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor D7VB-1860 10-in. 11/7/1947 I always lose Bill Boyd ; Cowboy Ramblers Male vocal solo, with string band songwriter  
Decca 83669 11/30/1952 Picking sweethearts Hank Locklin vocalist  
Decca 83670 11/30/1952 I like to play with your kiss Hank Locklin vocalist  
Decca 85645 12/31/1953 Mysteries of life Hank Locklin vocalist  
Decca 85646 12/31/1953 Queen of hearts Hank Locklin vocalist  
Decca NA 3042 5/4/1953 I can't run away Hank Locklin vocalist  
Decca NA 3043 5/4/1953 Shadows Hank Locklin vocalist  
Decca NA 3044 5/5/1953 The red rose Hank Locklin vocalist  
Decca NA 3045 5/5/1953 Lessons in love Hank Locklin vocalist  
Decca NA 3337 6/25/1954 Whispering scandal Hank Locklin vocalist  
Decca NA 3338 6/25/1954 Baby you can count me in Hank Locklin vocalist  
Decca NA 3339 6/25/1954 Let me confess Hank Locklin vocalist  
Decca NA 3340 6/25/1954 I'll always be standing by Hank Locklin vocalist  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Locklin, Hank," accessed April 19, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/327775.

Locklin, Hank. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 19, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/327775.

"Locklin, Hank." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 19 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/327775

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