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In has been announced that Jimmie Rodgers, the ‘Honeycomb’ hit singer, has died aged 87.
His family have shared that Rodgers died of Kidney disease on 18 January, having also been diagnosed with Covid-19 shortly before his passing.
Born in 1933 in Washington, Rodgers had always been keen to pursue music but was drafted into the Air Force during the Korean War.
His military days helped him to realise that he wanted to devote his life to moving people with his music.
Rodgers was transferred to an airbase in Nashville in the mid-fifties and whilst there took part in Arthur Godfrey’s Talent show, from which he won a $700 prize. From then on, his career gained significant traction and he had a string of crossover hits in the 1950s and 60s.
His rendition of ‘Honeycomb’ landed at no. 1 on the Billboard Top 100, as well as topping the R&B Best Sellers charts, and was a top10 hit on the Country and Western charts.
In the 60s he also pursued acting roles and starred in films such as The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come and Back Door to Hell.
In 1967, Rodgers suffered serious head injuries which left him suffering with occasional seizures and spasms in his vocal muscles.
However, despite these setbacks, Rodgers was still able to perform, often playing in his own theatre in Branson, MO.
Jimmie Rodgers leaves behind his wife, Mary Louise Biggerstaff and his five children.
For more on Jimmie Rodgers, see below:
