Claude King Dies: Veteran Country Star Passes Away Aged 90

News just in: Claude King dies; the veteran country singer best known for his 1962 hit Wolverton Mountain, has sadly passed away aged 90 years old.

Incredibly enough, King had just celebrated his 67^th wedding anniversary to his wife Barbara last month, according to the Huffington Post. He was at his biggest profile-wise in the 60’s and 70’s, releasing six albums between 1962 and 1971, with 1969’s I Remember Johnny Horton reaching 24 in the US Country charts. However he turned his attention to acting in the 1980’s and was actually a member of the Screen Actor’s Guild. "Claude was a legend in the Louisiana music industry, one of the greatest songwriters, and a wonderful friend," said Maggie Warwick, owner of the Louisiana Hayride trademark and the production company, Louisiana Hayride Co. "Claude and Tillman Franks were on the Hayride from the very beginning."

Continuing in her tribute, she said "He had a gift for melody and lyrics that was very definable. The range and melody and the feeling that goes with his songs, when you hear it, it's very unique and identifiable with Claude King. He had a personal style that was all his own." Another claim to fame of King’s was that he was one of the original members of the Louisiana Hayride, the Saturday-night show where Elvis Presley also got his start. The show ran from 1948 until 1960 and played the best in blues, folks, gospel and hillbilly among other music.