Claude King Dies at Age 90; Country Singer of 'Wolverton Mountain' Found Dead in Bed

Country singer-songwriter Claude King, an original member of the "Louisiana Hayride" died on Thursday at age 90, reports the Associated Press.

The "Wolverton Mountain" singer was found unresponsive in his bed early Thursday morning at his home in Shreveport, LA, according to his eldest son Duane King. He had just celebrated his birthday and 67th wedding anniversary to his wife Barbara last month, AP states.

Born on February 5 1923 in Keithville, LA, the singer didn't begin focusing on music until after his college days at University of Idaho at Moscow, Billboard states. KUpon returning to Shreveport, he became a cast member of the "Louisiana Hayride," which was broadcast on local radio station KWKH. He shared the same stage with artists such as George Jones, Elvis Presley, and Jim Reeves. He tried recording for some local labels, but didn't taste success on the charts until he signed with Columbia Records in 1961.

According to Billboard: King's first single for the label, "Big River, Big Man," peaked at No. 7 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, and was the first of 19 top 40 records through 1971. His biggest hit was 1962's "Wolverton Mountain," which he co-wrote with Merle Kilgore. The song was based on Kilgore's real-life uncle, Clifton Clowers and spent nine weeks atop the country songs chart, and peaked at No. 6 on the Hot 100.

"Claude was a legend in the Louisiana music industry, one of the greatest songwriters, and a wonderful friend," said Maggie Warwick, owner of the Louisiana Hayride trademark and the production company, Louisiana Hayride Co. "Claude and Tillman Franks were on the Hayride from the very beginning."

King was known for his guitar-playing skills and knack for writing songs, according to Warwick, "He had a gift for melody and lyrics that was very definable," Warwick said. "The range and melody and the feeling that goes with his songs, when you hear it, it's very unique and identifiable with Claude King. He had a personal style that was all his own."

King's other hits included "Sheepskin Valley," ''Building a Bridge," ''Hey Lucille!," ''I've Got The World By The Tail," ''Catch a Little Raindrop," ''All For The Love Of A Girl" and "The Comancheros," which was inspired by the John Wayne movie of the same name, according to AP.

Family-man Claude king was never interested in being a big star, according to his son Duane, "He could have been as big as anybody, but that's not what he was about."

His son stated that he wsa supposed to go fishing on Friday with his father. Duane says,"It caught us by surprise, and we're going to miss him. He was such an easygoing, unpretentious person who didn't have anything bad to say about anybody. He was my best friend, and I wish I could be half the person he was."