July 19, 1975

“Lefty” Frizzell died from a stroke (possibly a consequence of his almost lifelong addiction to alcohol). He debuted as a singer on radio station KELD in El Dorado (Union County) when he was twelve, and he acquired his nickname in a schoolyard brawl. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential singers in country music history as virtually the prototype of what became known as a honky-tonk singer. Willie Nelson remarked that “without Lefty Frizzell, a lot of us singers wouldn’t have a style.” Frizzell was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1982.