In The News

Country singer George Hamilton IV passes away

Country singer George Hamilton IV passes away

TRIBUTES have been paid to the country singer George Hamilton IV who has passed away at the age of 77.

Born in North Carolina, Mr. Hamilton had first enjoyed success as a pop singer in the mid-1950s when he had a hit with A Rose and a Baby Ruth. During this period he toured with Buddy Holly and the Everly Brothers.

He turned to country music under the guidance of mentor Chet Atkins, the musician and producer, and by 1960 he was a member of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.

Early country hits included Before This Day Ends, To You and Yours (From Me and Mine) and If You Don’t Know I Ain’t Gonna Tell You. In 1963, he had his biggest hit with Abilene (see below). Another popular recording was Canadian Pacific in 1969 (see below).

Over the years, Mr. Hamilton performed extensively across the world — including being the first country singer to tour in the old USSR — earning him the title of country music’s international ambassador.

In later years, he had turned more to gospel music, appearing regularly at rallies organised by the evangelist Billy Graham.

For a long period in the 1990s he filled the role of narrator in the hit musical Patsy Cline: The Musical, including when the production was staged in London’s West End.

Mr. Hamilton continued performing right up until shortly before his death in Nashville from a heart attack.

He is survived by his wife Tinky and children Mary, Peyton and George V (see below).

To see George Hamilton IV performing Abilene, click here.

To listen to an excerpt from Canadian Pacific, click here.

To view an archive interview with Mr. Hamilton, click here.

To see George Hamilton IV appearing alongside his son George V, click here.

View previous In the News items: Songwriter Bob Crewe passes away, Funeral takes place of Ian Paisley, Rise in the number of deaths in Northern Ireland, Join the donor register and help save lives, Donating remains for medical education, Tributes are paid to Lord Attenborough, Albert Reynolds is given State Funeral, Tributes are paid to broadcaster Gerry Anderson, Tributes are paid to veteran actor JJ Murphy, Tribute are paid to former DJ Mike Smith, Funeral takes place of Churchwoman Lynda Patterson, Supermarket founder Karl Albrecht passes away, Actor James Garner passes away, Tributes are paid to Elaine Stritch, Tributes are paid to Presbyterian minister, Punk rocker Tommy Ramone passes away, Footballing legent Alfredo Di Stefano passes away, Tributes are paid to jazz musician Paul Horn, Tributes are paid to soul legend Bobby Womack, MBE for inspirational teenager Stephen Sutton, Actress and activist Ruby Dee passes away, Author Eric Hill passes away, Tributes are paid to Rik Mayall, Funeral takes place of Sir John Gorman, Former film star Mona Freeman passes away, Actress Ann B Davis passes away, Judges rule on remains of King Richard III, Smithfield legend Joe Kavanagh passes away, Singer Jerry Vale passes away, Comedian Eli Woods passes away, Shankill pays tribute to Hugh Smyth, Inspirational teenager Stephen Sutton passes away, Colourful funeral for brave Oscar Knox, Scientist Colin Pillinger passes away, Former boxing champion Jimmy Ellis passes away, Tributes are paid to Elena Baltacha, Paul Robeson Junior passes away, Tributes are paid to former footballer Sandy Jardine, Headstones are damaged at a Belfast cemetery, Tributes are paid to popular politician, Generous response in wake of marathon tragedy, Tributes are paid to actress Edna Dore, Private funeral is planned for Mickey Rooney, Country musician Arthur Smith passes away, Comedy writer Bob Larbey passes away, Surfing pioneer Hobie Alter passes away, Writer Sam McAughtry passes away, Internet sensation Peter Oakley passes away, Tributes are paid to actor James Rebhorn, Funeral takes place of James Ellis, Vandals damage graves in Newry, Voice actor Hal Douglas passes away, Belfast mourns passing of James Ellis, Actress Sheila MacRae passes away, Surgeon and author Sherwin Nuland passes away, Flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucia passes away, Tributes are paid to Maria von Trapp, Actor Malcolm Tierney passes away, Tributes are paid to actor Christopher Malcolm, Actor Ken Jones passes away or Waltons actor Ralph Waite passes away

If you have a relative or a friend who has passed away and feel they should be mentioned in our In the News section, then please email us.