On May 10, 1999, celebrated children’s book author and underrated songwriter Shel Silverstein passed away at the age of 68. Few know that Silverstein wrote the comedic country song “A Boy Named Sue” for country music legend Johnny Cash back in 1969. The song earned Silverstein a Grammy in 1970.
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Silverstein was also known for his written works, including Where The Sidewalk Ends and A Light In The Attic. He died from a heart attack at his home in Florida.
If you didn’t know that the author behind The Giving Tree wrote “A Boy Named Sue”, you’re not alone. Not only was the cartoonist and author a songwriter, but he was also a musician.
Shel Silverstein Was Best Known as a Children’s Book Author, but He Was Also a Talented Songwriter
Silverstein studied at the Chicago College of Performing Arts. He would later be associated with the outlaw country genre, of which Johnny Cash was also connected to. Silverstein produced a hefty catalog of music, though many of those songs were written for other artists like Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show. Silverstein wrote the hit song “Put Another Log On The Fire” for Tompall Glaser, as well as “Hey Loretta” for Loretta Lynn. In addition to giving “A Boy Named Sue” to Cash, he also wrote “25 Minutes To Go” for the outlaw country music star.
Shel Silverstein co-wrote the iconic song “The Taker” with Kris Kristofferson, which was recorded by Waylon Jennings. He also penned a sequel song to “A Boy Named Sue” titled “Father Of A Boy Named Sue”.
If you’re a fan of Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show, you might be surprised to learn that Silverstein wrote the lyrics and compositions for most of the band’s first few albums.
Silverstein composed quite a few songs for films as well. Silverstein was a multi-instrumentalist and could play the guitar, saxophone, trombone, and piano, among other instruments. Despite his reputation as a children’s book author, he also wrote a few songs about marijuana.
Shel Silverstein also wrote “I’m Checkin’ Out” for the movie Postcards From The Edge. The song was nominated for both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award. He would later be inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002.
Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
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