‘Why Baby Why’was a favorite for many, a hit for Hank Locklin
This week in 1956: U.S. Supreme Court affirmed a ban on segregation in public schools; President Dwight Eisenhower rejected an Israeli arms request; Westinghouse Electric workers had begun a 156day strike; and a singer from McClellan, Florida, had his 3rd hit record.
A lot of recording artists refuse to record a song that’s already been recorded by another artist, while others don’t seem to care.
In 1956, Hank Locklin was one of those artists who was not concerned about it and it didn’t stop him from recording his 1956 hit, “Why Baby Why.”
He said, “Why Baby Why” was written by George Jones and Darrell Edwards and was a real good song! I liked it the first time I heard it. It was recorded by a bunch of folks – George Jones first – and then Webb Pierce and Red Sovine, Warren Smith and Shirley Collie, Charley Pride – it seems that just about everybody recorded the song – including me! I just heard the song on the radio and it was all over the place – every time I turned the radio on, it was there and I really liked it! So I recorded it and it did pretty well for me!”
Hank Locklin’s RCA Victor single “Why Baby Why” came on the country charts March 24,1956 and peaked at No. 9. It was his 3rd charted song.
He was born Lawrence Hankins Locklin in McClellan, Florida, in 1918. He learned to play guitar while recovering from a childhood accident. In 1942 he had a regular program on WCOA Radio in Pensacola, Florida. He joined The Louisiana Hayride in the late 1940’s.
He placed 33 songs on the country charts between 1949 and 1971 – including two No. 1s. Five of his 33 charted country singles also placed on the pop music charts. During his recording career, Locklin was a major concert performer and developed a large following at overseas country music venues.
He joined The Grand Ole Opry in 1960. Hank Locklin died in 2009 at age 91.