Acclaimed Singer-Songwriter Guy Clark 1941 – 2016

Famed songwriter and musician Guy Clark has died today at age 74. A post on Clark’s official Facebook page confirmed the news of the Monahans, Texas native’s passing. Guy Clark’s accomplishments include winning a Grammy Award in 2014 and his induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. While Clark issued 13 studio albums of his own, he also penned songs recorded by a diverse group of artists such as Johnny Cash, Hayes Carll, Ricky Skaggs, John Denver, Jimmy Buffett and The Highwaymen. While no cause of death has been confirmed, Guy battled health issues in recent years.

Clark moved to Nashville in 1971 with his wife Susanna Talley. It was in his first year in Nashville that he wrote perhaps his best know song “Desperados Waiting For A Train” as well as other classics “L.A Freeway” and “That Old Time Feeling.” All three songs were featured on his critically-acclaimed 1975 debut album Old No. 1 on RCA Records. Guy’s songs charted a number of times in the hands of other artists as Skaggs took “Heartbroke” to No. 1 in 1982, while Steve Wariner topped the charts with Clark’s “Baby I’m Yours” in 1988. Despite the success he had penning songs for others, he never stopped recording himself. He learned a lot from a life-long friendship with Townes Van Zandt and included at least one of Van Zandt’s songs on each of his albums since Townes’ 1997 death.

Though Clark suffered through many health issues over the past decade, it didn’t stop his prolific output. Guy’s 2013 album My Favorite Picture Of You finally scored him a Grammy Award for Best Folk Album the following year. Clark influenced multiple generations of musicians including Hard Working Americans whose just-released Rest In Chaos features Guy contributing guitar to a version of his own “The High Price Of Inspiration.” Guy’s voice can also be heard on Darrell Scott’s new album Couchville Sessions. Our thoughts are with Guy Clark’s family.

Watch Guy Clark perform “L.A. Freeway” on Austin City Limits: