Outlaw country spawned countless incredible musicians, from Merle Haggard to Waylon Jennings to Willie Nelson. Unfortunately, many bands and individual musicians from the golden era of outlaw country never saw much success commercially, despite penning some of the finest songs of their generation. Let’s look at some revered outlaw country musicians who never had a no. 1 hit!
1. Tompall Glaser
Tompall Glaser never had a no. 1 hit of his own, unfortunately. However, his highest-charting song was “Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again)” with the Glaser Brothers, which hit no. 2 on the country charts. That being said, he was an indispensable figure in outlaw country music.
Videos by American Songwriter
Glaser helped to produce Waylon Jennings’ famed 1973 record Honky Tonk Heroes. He penned a number of incredible songs through the years, and worked with everyone from Jessi Colter to Patsy Cline to Willie Nelson.
2. Jerry Jeff Walker
Out of all the outlaw country musicians who never had a no. 1 hit, this one is shocking. Jerry Jeff Walker penned the famous song “Mr. Bojangles”, which only made it to no. 77 on the Billboard Hot 100.
It’s wild to think that Walker didn’t experience substantial commercial fame; that song alone from 1968 has been recorded by icons like Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond, and John Denver.
3. Billy Joe Shaver
Billy Joe Shaver is one of the most respected figures in outlaw country music, but he somehow never got a no. 1 hit. Icons like Kris Kristofferson and Bob Dylan have praised the late singer/songwriter for his contributions. Some of his songs were even recorded by Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and more. And he did it all without two of his fingers!
Unfortunately, Shaver’s highest-charting single was the 1977 tune “You Asked Me To”, which only made it to no. 80 on the Hot Country Songs chart.
4. Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt penned countless hits in the outlaw country music genre, but he never saw a no. 1 hit himself. It’s a real shame. But thankfully, Zandt has since been immortalized in country music as a well-respected icon.
Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard famously covered his song “Pancho And Lefty”. That version quickly shot to no. 1 on the Billboard country charts back in 1983. So, technically, he did have a no. 1 hit as a songwriter, but not as a performer.
Photo by Rick Diamond/Shutterstock
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Most Viewed
-
British guitarist, singer and songwriter Mark Knopfler (left) plays a Schecter Stratocaster as his band, Dire Straits, including Hal Lindes (right), performs live in concert at Wembley Arena in London, England, July 1985. Dire Straits played twelve dates (between 4th July and 16th July) at the venue as part of their 'Brothers in Arms' Tour. (Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns/Getty Images) -
1990 MTV Video Music Awards (L-R) American musicians Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton, Joe Perry, Steven Tyler and Joey Kramer, of the American rock band Aerosmith, pose with their Moonman award backstage during the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, California, September 6, 1990. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images) -
Richie Blackmore of Deep Purple, who recorded a classic rock album any dad would love to have. -
Queen – Freddie Mercury, Queen – Freddie Mercury (Photo by Brian Rasic/Getty Images) -
(Photo by John Lynn Kirk/Redferns/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) -
Phil Collins (born in 1951), British actor and singer-songwriter, during a concert at Bercy. Paris (12th arrondissement), March 5, 1985. (Photo by Christian Rose/Roger Viollet via Getty Images)
