Jennings, a singer, songwriter and guitarist, recorded 60 albums and had 16 No. 1 country singles in a career that spanned five decades. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in October 2001. With pal Willie Nelson, Jennings performed duets like "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys", "Luckenbach" and "Good Hearted Woman". Those 1970s songs nurtured a progressive sound and restless spirit embraced later by Travis Tritt, Charlie Daniels, Steve Earle and others. His resonant, authoritative voice also was used to narrate the popular TV show "The Dukes of Hazzard". He sang its theme song, which was a million seller. "I aimed the narration at children and it made it work," he said in a 1987 AP interview. He traditionally wore a black cowboy hat and ebony attire that accented his black beard and mustache. Often reclusive when not on stage, he played earthy music with a spirited, hard edge. Combined, Jennings had a well-defined image that matched well with his history of battling record producers to do music his way. About his independence, he said: "There's always one more way to do something-- your way." Some of his album titles nourished his brash persona: "Lonesome, On'ry and Mean," "I've Always Been Crazy," "Nashville Rebel," "Ladies Love Outlaws" and "Wanted: The Outlaws." He often refused to attend music awards shows on grounds performers should not compete against each other. Despite those sentiments, Jennings won two Grammy awards and four Country Music Association awards. He did not attend his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame last year. In 1959, his career was nearly cut short by tragedy. He was scheduled to fly on the light plane that crashed and killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper. Jennings gave up his seat on the plane to the Big Bopper, who was ill and wanted to fly rather than travel by bus with those left behind. He and Holly were teen-age friends in Lubbock, Texas, and Jennings was in Holly's band. "Mainly what I learned from Buddy was an attitude," Jennings said. "He loved music, and he taught me that it shouldn't have any barriers to it." Born in Littlefield, Texas, Jennings became a radio disc jockey at 14 and formed his own band not long afterward. By the early 1960s Jennings was playing regularly at a nightclub in Phoenix. In 1963, he was signed by Herb Alpert's A&M Records, then was signed by RCA in Nashville shortly thereafter by Chet Atkins. Once in Nashville, he and Cash became friends and roommates. His hit records began in the mid-1960s and his heyday was the mid-1970s. About his outlaw image, he said: "It was a good marketing tool. In a way, I am that way. You start messing with my music, I get mean. As long was you are honest and up front with me, I will be the same with you. But I still do things my way."
Was briefly a member of Buddy Holly's band as the bass player. He was married and divorced 3 times before Jessi. Was supposed to be on the flight that killed Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens. However, there wasn't enough room and Jennings gave up his seat to the Big Bopper. Ended a 20-year cocaine addiction in 1984. High school dropout who got his GED in 1989. Supported a cocaine habit that grew to $1500 a day. [1964-1984] had to have one of his feet amputated due to Diabetes. [January 2002] "Some people have their music. My music has me." He made occasional forays into TV movies, including "Stagecoach" and "Oklahoma City Dolls", plus the Sesame Street movie "Follow That Bird" and the B-movie "Nashville Rebel". In the mid-1980s, he joined with Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson to form the quartet the Highwaymen, which recorded together and did concert tours. "I'd like to be remembered for my music-- not necessarily by what people see when they see us-- but what they feel when they talk about you," he said in 1984. His "Greatest Hits" album in 1979 sold 4 million-- a rare accomplishment in country music for that era. His other hit singles included "I'm a Ramblin' Man", "Amanda", "Lucille", "I've Always Been Crazy" and "Rose in Paradise". Named Male Vocalist of the Year by the Country Music Association in 1975. Won a Grammy Award for a version of 'MacArthur Park' recorded with the Kimberleys. He sold more than 40 million albums and singles worldwide, including 16 No. 1 country hits. Survived by Jessi Colter, his fourth wife, and seven children. When Jennings was told by doctors a few years ago to quit touring, he auctioned off much of his equipment. In less than a year, though, he was back playing concerts. He often refused to attend music awards shows on grounds performers should not compete against each other. Despite those sentiments, Jennings won two Grammy awards and four Country Music Association awards. He did not attend his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001. Son (with Colter), Waylon Albright "Shooter" Jennings, (b. 1979) sings with the LA band Stargunn. Worked as a DJ at a Lubbock, TX radio station. Jokingly told his friend Buddy Holly that he hoped his plane crashed, after he gave up his own seat, but was said to be extremely remorseful of the light-hearted comment and for years felt somehow responsible for his friend's death. Stevie Nicks wrote her 1981 hit "Leather & Lace" at the request of Waylon Jennings. He requested Stevie write this song for him and his wife, Jessi Colter. It was his intent that he and Jessi would record the song for a future record. However, by time Ms. Nicks finished penning the song Waylon and Jessi had split. Ms. Nicks recorded the song with Don Henley (of the Eagles). The Nicks/Henley version was included on Ms. Nicks' 1981 LP "Bella Donna" and went to #6 on the US charts. Waylon and Jessi never made a studio recording of the song. Father of Shooter Jennings. He claimed his guitarist Jimmy Byrd was the only other man who could perform his trademark "Chicken Picking" style of guitar playing and often called him 'Abe Lincoln' due to his resemblance to the President. He was usually regarded as the unifying, central force of "The Highwaymen", as he brought together Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson, all of whom he had been friends with since the 60s.