‘Cowboy’ Jack Clement, a producer and songwriter who helped with the birth of rock ’n’ roll and pushed country music into modern times, has died at his home in the US at the age of 82.
Close friend Dub Cornett said Clement’s hospice nurse confirmed that he died surrounded by family after declining treatment for liver cancer.
His death came months after he learned he would be joining the Country Music Hall of Fame. He was to be inducted later this year.
At the top of his official Country Music Hall of Fame biography was one of Clement’s favourite quotes: “If we’re not having fun, we’re not doing our job.”
Clement was known as much for his colourful personality and storytelling ability as his rather formidable place in music history.
Clement’s career included stops in Memphis at Sun Records as an engineer for Sam Phillips, where he discovered Jerry Lee Lewis and recorded greats like Carl Perkins and Roy Orbison. He also came through Nashville, where he was a close collaborator of Johnny Cash, Charley Pride and many of his fellow Hall of Fame members.
As a producer, he helped break through the colour barrier in country music.
The Hall of Fame noted that he was a catalyst who always seemed to bring out the best in those he worked with. He convinced Lewis to put aside the country material he brought to Sun Records and stretch out with something a little more upbeat. The result was Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On.
He helped mark a turning point in the career of U2, recording their roots tribute Rattle and Hum.
He also came up with the idea of putting Mariachi horns on Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire, transforming a fairly sedate love song into an ascendant pop culture moment.
“He was the maestro, the ringleader of tomfoolery, and I know Johnny Cash and Sam Phillips are ready to get back to work now that he’s in heaven,” said Cornett, who produced the benefit concert.
During his career, he had songs recorded by Ray Charles, Waylon Jennings, Tom Jones, Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner and Elvis Presley. He also touched the careers of Louis Armstrong, Albert Collins, Prine, Townes Van Zandt and Hank Williams Jr among others.