Tragic Details About Classic Country Musicians

Hank Williams was a popular country star in the '40s and '50s with hits including "Cold, Cold Heart," "Your Cheatin' Heart," "Hey, Good Lookin'," and "I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive." As a child, his family didn't have a lot of money, and he struggled with the health condition spina bifida. His singing

Hank Williams was a popular country star in the '40s and '50s with hits including "Cold, Cold Heart," "Your Cheatin' Heart," "Hey, Good Lookin'," and "I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive." As a child, his family didn't have a lot of money, and he struggled with the health condition spina bifida. His singing and songwriting career started taking off in the early 1940s, but his chronic back pain led to alcohol abuse. It wasn't uncommon for him to perform drunk onstage, according to Biography.

Despite battling alcoholism, Williams' career soared after the release of the 1949 song "Lovesick Blues." The more successful he got, the more he drank, and he also started abusing morphine. Eventually, he was fired by the Grand Ole Opry, gained 30 pounds, started losing his hair, and had a minor heart attack. On Dec. 30, 1952, the singer fell unconscious in a hotel room, yet a doctor allowed him to keep working. A few days later on New Year's Eve, he had a heart attack in his Cadillac and died. Williams was just 29 years old. Despite his short-lived career, he made a huge impact on the country music community. In 1961, Williams was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and he was given a special citation by the Pulitzer Board in 2010 for songwriting.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

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