George Jones
USA, 1954–2013
American singer (1931-2013), held by most of the profession to be the finest voice country music produced - a swooping, sliding phrasing that bends a line without ever losing the pitch. 'He Stopped Loving Her Today' (1980) was recorded during the years his drinking was at its worst, and is still the song other singers name.
MusicRoots documents 3 artists who influenced George Jones and 2 artists George Jones influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.
Who influenced George Jones?
- Hank Williams — Jones's early singles are openly Hank Williams's - he had to be told to stop imitating him before his own voice appeared.
- Roy Acuff — Acuff is the older Grand Ole Opry style Jones learned first.
- Lefty Frizzell — The sliding, vowel-bending phrasing Jones is known for is the Texas honky-tonk manner Frizzell defined.
Which artists did George Jones influence?
- Gram Parsons — No single voice marked Parsons more than George Jones's.
- Tammy Wynette — Jones was on the radio she grew up with, years before she married him and sang with him.