Country singer Slim Whitman dies at age 90

[El Supremo]

Source: Associated Press

MIAMI (AP) — Country singer Slim Whitman, the high-pitched yodeler who sold millions of records through ever-present TV ads in the 1980s and 1990s and whose song saved the world in the film comedy "Mars Attacks!," died Wednesday at a Florida hospital. He was 90.

Whitman died of heart failure at Orange Park Medical Center, his son-in-law Roy Beagle said.

Whitman's tenor falsetto and ebony mustache and sideburns became global trademarks — and an inspiration for countless jokes — thanks to the TV commercials that pitched his records.

But he was a serious musical influence on early rock, and in the British Isles, he was known as a pioneer of country music for popularizing the style there. Whitman also encouraged a teen Elvis Presley when he was the headliner on the bill and the young singer was making his professional debut.

Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/article/Family-Country-singer-Slim-Whitman-dies-at-age-90-4609373.php

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[villager]

1. Dang. Gonna have to play his version of "I'll Remember You," later today

RIP, Slim....

[Major Nikon]

5. Done!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018415313

[villager]

6. Thanks!

[pansypoo53219]

2. ACK ACK!

i found one of his albums at an estate sale after i saw that movie. just watched parts again on cable.

[Myrina]

3. +1

My thought exactly. That, and the cheezy K-Tel commericals from the late 70's/early 80's hawking his albums ...

[Cooley Hurd]

14. The guy had to eat...

...and he had a voice that would put food on the table. Why diss him?

[Myrina]

21. Calling the commericals 'cheezy' is dissing him?

Seriously?

[JCMach1]

4. He finally got the 'Cattle Call'

[KamaAina]

7. The Day The Music Died

[El Supremo]

8. And I suppose you like rap?

Insensitive dork.

[KamaAina]

9. Only when the Heat play it over the PA

after a big 3.

[Cooley Hurd]

10. Crappy response...

Kama, read this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slim_Whitman#Legacy

For his contribution to the recording industry, Slim Whitman was given the accolade of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1709 Vine Street. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's Walkway of Stars in 1968.

The late pop singer Michael Jackson cited Whitman as one of his ten favorite vocalists. Beatle George Harrison cited Whitman as an early influence: "The first person I ever saw playing a guitar was Slim Whitman, either a photo of him in a magazine or live on television. Guitars were definitely coming in." Paul McCartney credited a poster of Whitman with giving him the idea of playing his guitar left-handed with his guitar strung the opposite way to a right-handed player's.

One thing I've learned over the years is to NOT dismiss one's talent because you don't dig their genre. I'm not a country music fan by any stretch, but Slim had some serious pipes. RIP and cross gently, Slim.

[KamaAina]

11. It's not the genre

so much as the fact that he became a national joke. I gather from this that that was largely based on his appearance rather than talent.

[Cooley Hurd]

12. No, it was, after years of not making much money (likely due to poor mgmt), he marketed himself...

...in a "K-Tel/Ronco" way that saturated pop culture in the late 1970's. THAT does not take away the fact that he had a VERY unique and instantly recognizable singing voice.

[El Supremo]

16. I wonder if I could still order?

[Cooley Hurd]

17. Guessing he had a box of pressings in the basement.

All kidding aside, he really had an incredible voice. I only WISH I had that range!!!

[MrScorpio]

13. At least he saved us from the Martians

Rest in Peace, Slim

[Cooley Hurd]

15. He did! Exploding heads and all...

What a fun movie than never went very far.

[warrprayer]

18. bummer

memories from the '70s

[FLyellowdog]

19. Used to see him every now and then eating out in Orange Park.

Of course that was years ago, but we were always impressed with how friendly he was to the people around him. Just a good ole boy at heart. R.I.P.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

20. I have a friend who lives in his hometown and he knew I was a big fan.

He knocked on his door one day, introduced himself and told him about me. Slim ended up sending me a signed CD with the nicest note. i think he was flattered that young folks were into his stuff. He seemed like a pretty cool guy.

[Art_from_Ark]

22. Is that why I thought so many British groups/solo artists were American country artists?

The Everly Brothers, Leapy Lee, Mungo Jerry, Mary Hopkin all sounded like country singers/groups to me, and their music was even played on the local (mostly) country music radio station. Was it Slim Whitman's influence?

[Lefty Nast]

23. Take another look at ole Slim

I was never much of a fan of Slim's but one thing I can say about him is he was a working class hero. When the record companies dismissed him, he did his own recording as I understand it and MADE HIMSELF a career. I like people like that. I think you can find his bio online. My god, he certainly is not worse than the corporate music we get now....

[El Supremo]

24. Thanks!

[Hoyt]

26. Gotta give him some props for that.

[Doctor_J]

25. Send $4.99 + S&H to POB 1234 Henderson NV

and get a copy of the program to his funeral