Johnny Horton

about

John LaGale Horton (30 April 1925 – 5 November 1960) was an American country, honky-tonk, and rockabilly singer active during the 1950s. He is best known for a series of history-themed narrative songs that achieved international success. His 1959 single "The Battle of New Orleans" won the Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording in 1960 and was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame; in 2001 it was ranked number 333 on the Recording Industry Association of America’s "Songs of the Century" list. His first number-one country song was "When It's Springtime in Alaska (It's Forty Below)" (1959). In 1960, Horton had further hits with "Sink the Bismarck" and "North to Alaska", the latter used in the opening credits of the film "North to Alaska". He died in a traffic collision in November 1960 at the height of his career, less than two years after his commercial breakthrough. He was later inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, and in 2025 into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. Horton was born in Los Angeles, California, and raised in Rusk, Texas. He was the youngest of five children. His family moved frequently between Texas and California while working as sharecroppers. After graduating from high school in Gallatin, Texas, in 1944, he attended Lon Morris Junior College on a basketball scholarship and later studied at Seattle University and Baylor University, although he did not complete a degree. He later worked in the ma

top songs

albums

Honky Tonk Man: The Essential Johnny Horton 1956-1960

Johnny Horton's Greatest Hits

American Originals

Johnny Horton - 16 Biggest Hits

The Spectacular Johnny Horton

The Essential Johnny Horton

Live Recordings from the Louisiana Hayride

Honky Tonk Man: The Essential Johnny Horton 1956-1960

16 Biggest Hits

Ain't I'm A Dog: 25 More Rockabilly Rave-Ups

Honky Tonk Cowboy - The Best of Johnny Horton

Rockabilly Insanity

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