‘Gentle Giant’ influenced array of musicians

DON WILLIAMS Country singer

COUNTRY music singer Don Williams, who died recently, aged 78, was one of the biggest stars of the 1970s and ’80s.

Williams, known as ‘‘the Gentle Giant’’ because of his 1.85m frame, mellow voice and lowkey profile, had hits with

Tulsa Time, I Believe in You and It Must Be Love over the course of a 50year career.

He died on the same day as Troy Gentry, one half of the country music duo Montgomery Gentry, who was killed in a helicopter crash in New

Jersey.

Williams was inducted into the Country Music Hall of

Fame in 2010 and released his last studio album, Reflections, in 2014.

Two years later, he announced his retirement from touring, saying it was ‘‘time to hang up my hat and enjoy some quiet time at home’’.

Williams was a big influence on other musicians, spanning country to rock. Eric Clapton and Pete Townshend are among those who have recorded his music.

In 2016, a tribute album, Gentle Giants: The Songs of Don Williams, was released featuring performances by Alison Krauss, Trisha Yearwood, Garth Brooks and many others.

The Associated Press reported Williams had 17 No 1 hits before retiring, including a duet with Emmylou Harris on the Townes Van Zandt classic If

I Needed You.

During his performances, he often walked onstage carrying a cup of coffee, sat on a barstool, sang and chatted amiably with the audience.

Williams also appeared in the movies W.W. and the Dixie

Dancekings and Smokey and the Bandit II.

In a statement, Kyle Young, chief executive of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, said Williams ‘‘offered calm, beauty and a sense of wistful peace that is in short supply these days.

‘‘His music will forever be a balm in troublesome times. Everyone who makes country music with grace, intelligence and ageless intent will do so while standing on the shoulders of this gentle giant.’’

Born in Floydada, Texas, Williams spent the early part of his career in rock, country and folk groups and served in the United States Army for two years.

He was a founding member of the PozoSeco Singers, alongside Susan Taylor and Lofton Cline, who recorded several records for Columbia Records until they disbanded in 1969. He started a solo career in 1971.

His first No 1 hit was I Wouldn’t Want to Live If You Didn’t Love Me, and 42 of his 46 singles landed in the Top 10 from 1974 to 1991.

He was also popular overseas, touring in Europe and Africa and charting in Britain. Eric Clapton recorded his We’re More Than Friends and Pete Townshend redid his

Till the Rivers All Run Dry.

It’s time to hang up my hat and enjoy some quiet time at home

Don Williams on his retirement in 2016