Obit: Billy Joe Shaver (1939-2020) COVID19

Subject: 2020 Obit: Billy Joe Shaver (1939-2020)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Oct 20 - 06:13 PM

Another big one dies of COVID-19 complications.

https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-culture/billy-joe-shaver-death/

Billy Joe Shaver, the Blustery, Tenderhearted Country Star Known as the “Wacko From Waco,” Dies of a Stroke

After contracting COVID-19 earlier this year, the musician had spent most of this past summer in isolation—where he was still writing songs.

Billy Joe Shaver, whom Willie Nelson once called the greatest living Texas songwriter, died this morning following a massive stroke at Ascension Providence Hospital in Waco, reports Rolling Stone. He was 81.

Shaver, who took a bad fall last month and struggled with a bout of COVID-19 over the summer, had spent much of the past few months at his home in Lorena, just south of Waco. He continued to write songs, and was beginning to write his second memoir. Even as he stayed in isolation, his songs made their way through the world. Willie himself covered one of Shaver’s songs on his recent album First Rose of Spring. Titled “We Are the Cowboys,” it reimagines the cowboy way—as only Shaver could.

Shaver’s long life was a testament to the pleasures of the creative life. But he overcame a lot in his 81 years—and struggled often with physical and mental adversities. Shaver was born in Corsicana on August 16, 1939, and his father left before he was born. At the age of 21, he sliced off most of two fingers on his right hand and part of a third in a sawmill accident. Over the next few decades he struggled with addictions to drugs and alcohol. His wife, Brenda, his mother, Victory, and his son Eddy, the guitarist in his band, all died within two years of one another—the first two from cancer, the third from a heroin overdose. Shaver once had a heart attack onstage. And in 2007, he got in an argument in a bar near his home and shot a man in the face—then was acquitted at trial of aggravated assault.

The rest of the story is at the link above.

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Billy Joe Shaver 1939-2020 COVID19
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 28 Oct 20 - 06:23 PM

So sad, I have one of his CDs which I bought in Phoenix Arizona!!

Subject: RE: Obit: Billy Joe Shaver (1939-2020) COVID19
From: GUEST,gillymor
Date: 28 Oct 20 - 07:58 PM

He was a good 'un.

Love Forever

Subject: RE: Obit: Billy Joe Shaver (1939-2020) COVID19
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 28 Oct 20 - 08:21 PM

Bonzi 3 ....

Why do you find it, "so sad."

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

It looks like a blessed, contributing talent and a span beyound three-score and tenn.

Subject: RE: Obit: Billy Joe Shaver (1939-2020) COVID19
From: Stewie
Date: 28 Oct 20 - 08:24 PM

Sad news indeed. Another seminal outlaw country figure lost. He was fine singer and wordsmith. I love his early albums, particularly 'Old Five and Dimers Like Me' which is a classic.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Obit: Billy Joe Shaver (1939-2020) COVID19
From: cnd
Date: 29 Oct 20 - 10:26 AM

This is a big loss to the country community.

Billy Joe Shaver had a crazy life. If you ever want to hear him talk about it, there's an animated series by Mike Judge called Tales From the Tour Bus and the episode on Billy Joe Shaver is an absolute gem. Easily one of the most entertaining episodes from the first season.

Subject: RE: Obit: Billy Joe Shaver (1939-2020) COVID19
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 30 Oct 20 - 07:23 PM

Why do you find it, "so sad."

Because it is.

Subject: RE: Obit: Billy Joe Shaver (1939-2020) COVID19
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Oct 20 - 07:27 PM

Fresh Air played two interviews Terry did with Shaver, in 1994 and 2005. It was quite interesting.

Subject: RE: Obit: Billy Joe Shaver (1939-2020) COVID19
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 30 Oct 20 - 07:45 PM

His son Eddie was a very good guitarist.

Subject: RE: Obit: Billy Joe Shaver (1939-2020) COVID19
From: robomatic
Date: 30 Oct 20 - 10:40 PM

I was going to mention and now I echo, SRS's citation of Shaver on Fresh Air. A pleasure to listen to today.

Subject: RE: Obit: Billy Joe Shaver (1939-2020) COVID19
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 02 Nov 20 - 07:34 AM

"The devil made me do it the first time. The second time I did it on my own".