The male Williams clan has certainly made its mark on country music.  Here’s a synopsis of gramps, daddy, and junior.

 

HANK WILLIAMS (HIRAM KING WILLIAMS) (1923 – 1953)

35 Billboard Top-Ten Country & Western singles; 11 Number Ones

In exchange for food, a black street performer taught him how to play guitar

Dropped out of school at age 14 to pursue career

Drank a lot

Could not read music

Became addicted to morphine and other painkillers

Grand Ole Opry fired him due to frequent drunkenness

Pills and alcohol caused heart failure

 

HANK WILLIAMS, JR. (RANDALL HANK WILLIAMS) (1946 – )

Grammy winner

Nicknamed “Bocephus”

Copied daddy early in career

Fell off mountain and nearly died in 1975

Plays 11 instruments

Song “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight” used as opening song for Monday Night Football for many years; discontinued due to his controversial comments about the president

 

HANK WILLIAMS III (SHELTON HANK WILLIAMS) (1972 – )

Sings and plays bass, guitar, and drums

Plays not only country but punk and metal; he’s a member of punk-metal band Assjack, punk band Arson Anthem, and metal band Superjoint Ritual

Has released seven studio albums

Has appeared in a few films including Shooter with Mark Walhberg

Started out drumming in punk bands as a teenager

Albums are laced with profanity and anti-corporate-music sentiment