Charlie Rich

Country singer Charlie Rich. He died, earlier this week, of a blood clot in his lung. Known as the "Silver Fox," (because of his premature gray hair) Rich got his start working with the Sun record label in the late 50s, writing tunes for Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash. From there he began making records himself. In the 70s he reached his commercial peak with his country hits, "The Most Beautiful Girl," and "Behind Closed Doors." (REBROADCAST FROM 9/3/92).

Rich got his start working with the Sun record label in the late 50s, writing tunes for Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash. From there he began making records himself. In the 70s his songs, "The Most Beautiful Girl," and "Behind Closed Doors," were big country-pop hits. During the 80s he dropped out of sight. But he has a new album now, "Pictures And Paintings," of jazz and blues standards.

Rock historian Ed Ward remembers the singer, whose legacy includes some excellent rockabilly masterpieces alongside his country and western work.

Charlie Rich was a jazz enthusiast who wrote for many legendary country and rock musicians on the Sun Record Label. Rock historian Ed Ward says, for Rich, recording his own, original music was an afterthought. He had a few hits on various Memphis-area labels, but could never break through into the mainstream.