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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZAXTON, Hoyt(b 25 March '38, Commanche OK; d 26 Oct. '99) Singer, songwriter, actor. Mother Mae Boren Axton (d 9 April '97, aged 82) wrote 'Heartbreak Hotel' for Elvis Presley, with lyrics by Thomas Durden (d Oct.17 '99, aged 79), also hits for Faron Young, Hank Snow, Jean Shepard; also worked as publicist for Snow, Jim Reeves, etc. Hoyt made first record in Nashville '57, served in US Navy, moved to West Coast, worked bars, coffee houses, made folk, blues records for Vee Jay. Wrote hits 'Greenback Dollar' (Kingston Trio '63), 'The Pusher' (Steppenwolf '64), 'Joy To The World', 'Never Been To Spain' (Three Dog Night '71--2), 'Snowblind Friend' (Steppenwolf '71), other songs recorded by Waylon Jennings, Glen Campbell, John Denver, Ringo Starr ('The No-No Song', '75). Signed to Columbia '69 (LP My Griffin Is Gone), Capitol '70, A&M '72: hit singles 'When The Morning Comes' '74, 'Flash Of Fire' '76; LPs on A&M incl. Fearless, Southbound, Life Machine, Road Songs, Less Than The Song using excellent backing: Linda Ronstadt, James Burton, John Hartford, Nicolette Larson, others. (Larson had four chart albums '78-- 82: b 17 July '52, Helena MT; d there 16 Dec. '97.) Moved to MCA '77; minor country hits 'You're The Hangnail In My Life', 'Little White Moon'; LPs Snowblind Friend, Free Sailin'. Set up own Jeremiah label '78, named after the bullfrog in 'Joy To The World'; had biggest hits with 'Della And The Dealer', 'Rusty Old Halo' '79. Became actor with TV guest parts (McCloud, Bionic Woman), films The Black Stallion '79, E.T. '83, Gremlins '84. Signed with his mother's CPI label '92, album Spin The Wheel '93. Elvis Presley recorded 'Never |