Lefty Frizzell Net Worth

“For three or four years I didn’t sing anything but Lefty Frizzell songs, and then because Lefty was a fan of Jimmie Rodgers I learned to imitate him too.” — Merle Haggard

How much is Lefty Frizzell worth?

Net Worth:$7 Million
Profession:Professional Singer
Date of Birth:March 31, 1928 (aged 47)
Country:United States of America
Height:
Unknown

About Lefty Frizzell

William Orville “Lefty” Frizzell was an American country music singer-songwriter and honky-tonk performer who lived from March 31, 1928, until July 19, 1975. His estimated net worth was $7 million. Lefty Frizzell is still one of the most significant figures in country music, despite not being the most well-known. His note-bending singing technique might span several octaves with a single sentence.

American country music singer-songwriter and honky-tonk singer Lefty Frizzell had an estimated net worth of $7 million dollars at the time of his death, in 1975. Lefty’s heyday was in 1950’s with consecutive big hits.

His distinctive vocal timbres were quickly incorporated into country music’s mainstream. The songs “If You’ve Got the Money I’ve Got the Time,” “Long Black Veil,” and “I Love You a Thousand Ways.” are among Frizzell’s best-known works.

 

Throughout his career, Frizzell rose to prominence as one of the most popular and significant figures in country music. He is credited with popularizing “the country way” of singing for succeeding generations.

  • After decking a pupil with his left hand, the singer was given the moniker “Lefty”
  • For his wife, Frizzell wrote the popular song “I Love You a Thousand Ways” He was incarcerated at the time for statutory rape.
  • Lefty Frizzell sang honky-tonk music in a manner like to that of Hank Williams, a rival and his contemporaries.
  • Merle Haggard, Keith Whitley, and Randy Travis were all influenced by him.

Early Years of Lefty Frizzell

Lefty Frizzell, the son of an oilman, was greatly impacted by Jimmie Rodgers’ music as a young man. He started performing in Texas in the 1940s, and playing on regional radio stations was where he initially gained success.

A run-in with the law soon damaged his career. He was accused of statutory rape in 1947, according to the Country Music Hall of Fame. The ambitious vocalist at the time was 19 years old.

While serving a six-month prison sentence, Frizzell penned “I Love You a Thousand Ways” for his patient wife.

Stardom in country music

After serving his time in prison and failing his audition to perform with the Louisiana Hayride, Lefty Frizzell started a job in Big Spring, Texas. He eventually signed a contract with Columbia Records, for whom he recorded the songs “If You’ve Got the Money I’ve Got the Time” and “I Love You a Thousand Ways.” They achieved success at the top.

With the release of “Always Late (With Your Kisses),” Lefty’s career soared even higher.

 

Decline and Alcoholism

Frizzell was well-known for his passion for alcohol. But his drinking soon started to hinder his work. He started to rely more on the tunes that other songwriters provided him with and composed fewer of his own.

The funny “Cigarette and Coffee Blues” the all-night narrative “The Long Black Veil” the eerie country song “Saginaw, Michigan” and his failure to produce a hit song by the middle of the 1950s led to several brief comebacks (1962).

Last Years

The Legendary Lefty Frizzell, Lefty Frizzell’s penultimate CD, was a triumph and a fitting end to his career as a country musician. It would later be regarded as a late-period classic, despite the listening public’s initial lack of enthusiasm. The song “I Never Go Around Mirrors,” penned by Frizzell and later recorded by Keith Whitley and Merle Haggard, was included on the album.

Frizzell passed away on July 19, 1975, from a stroke. Lefty Frizzell had a $7 million net worth when he passed away.

He was granted posthumous admission to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1982.

Essential Lefty Frizzell Songs

  • “I Love You a Thousand Ways”
  • “If You’ve Got the Money I’ve Got the Time”
  • “I Want to Be With You Always”
  • “Saginaw, Michigan”
  • “The Long Black Veil”

Books about Lefty Frizzell

Lefty Frizzell: The Honky-Tonk Life of Country Music’s Greatest Singer by Daniel Cooper (Little Brown & Co, 1995)

There are several interesting stories about the singer in Daniel Cooper’s well-written and comprehensive biography of Frizzell. It’s one of the best biographies of a country musician ever written and a great addition to your library.

Recommended Albums

Lefty Frizzell: Look What Thoughts Will Do (compilation, 1997)

All of Lefty Frizzell’s key songs are included on this two-disc greatest hits compilation. This is an excellent place to start for anyone who wants to learn more about the artist, even though late-period favorites like “I Never Go Around Mirrors,” are missing.

seth meyers net worth

Seth Meyers Net Worth

dan fogelberg net worth

Dan Fogelberg Net Worth