Hoyt Axton

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Hoyt Wayne Axton (March 25, 1938 – October 26, 1999) was an American country music singer-songwriter, and a film and television actor.

He was born in Duncan, Oklahoma. His mother, Mae Boren Axton, co-wrote the classic rock 'n' roll song "Heartbreak Hotel", which became the first major hit for Elvis Presley. Some of Hoyt's own songs were also later recorded by Elvis. Hoyt served in the US Navy aboard the USS Princeton (LPH-5), before pursuing a music career.

Beginning in the early 1960's with a folksy album titled 'Greenback Dollar' (recorded at the legendary Troubador), Axton released numerous albums well into the 1980's, changing somewhat with the times but always retaining an honest, down-home and fairly 'country' approach to his music.

He had many minor hits of his own, such as 1979's "Della and the Dealer", and his face became well-known in the 1970's and 1980s through many TV and film appearances, from "Bonanza" to the movie "Gremlins". However, his most lasting contributions were songs made famous by others: "Greenback Dollar" (Kingston Trio), "Joy to the World" (Three Dog Night), "The Pusher" (Steppenwolf), and "No-No Song" (Ringo Starr) are songs heard by millions over the years, few of whom could likely name Hoyt as author.

Axton spent some time struggling with alcohol and cocaine addiction and several of his songs, including "The Pusher", "Snowblind Friend", and "No-No Song", partly reflect his negative drug experiences. He had been known as an opponent of drug use for many years when, in February 1997, he and his wife were arrested at their Montana home for possession of approximately 500 grams of marijuana, about a pound. His wife explained later that she offered Hoyt marijuana to relieve pain and stress following his 1995 stroke; both were fined and given deferred sentences.

He died of a heart attack in Victor, Montana at the age of 61.

Selective list of songs

Among his best-known compositions (or co-writing credits) are:

"Greenback Dollar" covered by The Kingston Trio
"The Pusher", covered by Steppenwolf on their debut album in 1968
"No-No Song", which became a #3 hit for Ringo Starr in March 1975
"Never Been To Spain", covered by Three Dog Night and Elvis Presley
"Joy to the World", the Three Dog Night hit from April 1971 which held US #1 for six weeks
"Snowblind Friend" (1971), covered by Steppenwolf
"When the Morning Comes" (1974)
"Boney Fingers" (1974)
"Della and the Dealer" (1979)
"Rusty Ol' Halo" (1979)

Movies and television

His movie appearances include:

His television work included appearances on episodes of

Axton also composed and sang the theme song to the short-lived TV sitcom Flo.

External links

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