George Hamilton IV Dead At 77

George Hamilton IV has died at the age of 77 in Nashville.

Hamilton started as a pop music idol only to become known as the International Ambassador of Country Music, died on Wednesday at a Nashville hospital after suffering a heart attack earlier in the week. He was 77.

Hamilton’s website posted the following message on Thursday morning:

Very Sad News from Nashville, TN

Sorry to be so “short” with this release, but we’re trying to get the message out to everyone as soon as possible: Grand Ole Opry® Legend George Hamilton IV “The International Ambassador of Country Music” passed away late this afternoon at Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital (Nashville,TN) with his Family by his side. “George IV” suffered a serious heart attack on Saturday and had been in critical condition from that time. The Hamilton Family Greatly Appreciates Everyone’s Prayers!

Hamilton recorded his first song, A Rose and a Baby Ruth, in 1956 while still attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Released on Colonial Records, the song went to number 6 on the Billboard charts, establishing the singer as a new teen idol.

Hamilton went on the road with such greats as Buddy Holly and the Everly Brothers but only two of his next four singles broke into the lower half of the top 40. In 1958, he finally reached the top ten again with Why Don’t They Understand (1958 / #10).

George and his family moved to Nashville in 1959 where he quickly established himself as a new voice. By 1960, he was a member of the Grand Ole Opry and had hit the country top ten with Before This Day Ends (1960 / #4). It would be the first of nine top ten hits for the singer over the next decade including his biggest hit, Abilene (1963 / #1 Country / #15 Pop).

During the 60’s, Hamilton’s sound evolved, bringing in an influence from some of the emerging new folk singer/songwriters. In 1966, he had hits with two Gordon Lightfoot songs, Steel Rail Blues (1966 / #15 Country) and Early Morning Rain (1966 / #9 Country) while, the next year, he went to number 7 with Joni Mitchell’s Urge For Going. He also gave an early boost to James Taylor in 1969 when he recorded Carolina in My Mind (1969 / #29 Country).

As the 70’s dawned, Hamilton’s run on the charts began to wane and he began taking his show to country’s around the world including Russia and the Middle East, earning him the nickname “The International Ambassador of Country Music.” He also brought the music to TV series in England and Canada, earning him a Juno Award for his services to Canadian country music.

In 1988, Hamilton began a series of church tours called A Country Christmas where he told the story of the birth of Jesus through songs and scripture readings. He followed with similar tours for Easter and Thanksgiving.

Once again, Hamilton changed musical directions in the 90’s when he recorded his first gospel album, On a Blue Ridge Sunday which earned him a Dove Award nomination. He also did a five year stint as the narrator in the show Patsy Cline: The Musical including a run on London’s West End in 1994.

George stayed an active member of the Grand Ole Opry, celebrating his 50th anniversary as a member in 2010.

Hamilton is survived by his wife, Adelaide “Tinky” Hamilton, two sons and a daughter.

George Hamilton IV Dead At 77

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