Playing the Balladeer, the show’s narrator, Waylon Jennings only made one on-screen appearance on Hazzard, but was considered an integral part regardless. And beyond the show, he was already regarded as one of the greatest country musicians alive, especially in the genres of outlaw and progressive country.
Waylon’s solo success was rocky after the show ended. He was part of the USA for Africa supergroup, which released “We Are the World” in 1985, and his 1985 album Will the Wolf Survive boosted his resurgence. However, by the ’90s, his sales had declined, though his live shows still pulled huge crowds. He slowed down his tour schedule in 1997 to devote time to his family.
While his success as a soloist waned, he did experience massive fame as a member of the country music supergroup the Highwaymen, with Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson. The group released three albums in their decade together, earning one number one as well.
By the mid ’80s, Waylon had given up his drug and smoking addiction, primarily motivated by his son Shooter, now also a musician. However, his health troubles caught up to him in his later age, and he died in February 2002 at the age of 64 from complications of diabetes, survived by his six kids and wife Jessi Colter.
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