| Don Gibson, writer of 'Sweet Dreams' dies at 75 | |
|
Don Gibson, hit artist and songwriter who penned the classic country songs Oh Lonesome Me, Sweet Dreams, and I Can't Stop Loving You died yesterday, November 17, 2003, of natural causes at Baptist Hospital in Nashville. He was 75.
Born April 3, 1928, Don dropped out of school in the second grade, but went on to become a sucessful recording artist and songwriter, and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. His song I Can't Stop Loving You has been recorded by over 700 artists.
In the 1940s, Don began singing with a band called Sons of the Soil in Shelby, NC. By the late 40s he had started recording for major labels, but his big break came in 1955 when he penned Sweet Dreams. While he had a modest hit with it, it was Patsy Cline's version in 1963 that most people remember.
In 1957, Don recorded Oh Lonesome Me with Chet Atkins producing. By the following year, this song became his first No. 1 song, and was one of the first songs of the "Nashville Sound."
He is survived by his wife, Bobbi, and will be buried at a family plot in Shelby, NC. A Nashville memorial service is being planned.
Photo used with permission of Ron Newcomer.