Lester Flatt was one of the most influential figures in the history of bluegrass music. He was best known for his partnership with Earl Scruggs, forming the duo Flatt and Scruggs, and for his distinctive guitar playing and vocal style. He also wrote and performed many classic bluegrass songs, such as “Foggy Mountain Breakdown”, “The Ballad of Jed Clampett”, and “Roll in My Sweet Baby’s Arms”. But how did Lester Flatt die, and what was his legacy?
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Early Life and Career
Lester Raymond Flatt was born on June 19, 1914, in Overton County, Tennessee, to Nannie Mae Haney and Isaac Columbus Flatt. He grew up in a musical family, and learned to play the guitar and mandolin at a young age. He worked in textile mills until the late 1930s, when he and his wife, Gladys, began performing as a duo. In 1943, he joined Charlie Monroe’s band, The Kentucky Pardners, where he played mandolin and sang tenor.
In 1945, he became a member of Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys, where he met Earl Scruggs, a young banjo player who revolutionized the instrument with his three-finger picking style. Flatt and Scruggs soon developed a close musical rapport, and their vocal harmonies and instrumental virtuosity became the hallmark of the bluegrass sound. In 1948, they left Monroe’s band and formed their own group, The Foggy Mountain Boys.
Success and Fame
Flatt and Scruggs became one of the most popular and influential bluegrass acts of all time. They recorded dozens of albums and singles, toured extensively, and appeared on radio and television shows. They also introduced bluegrass music to a wider audience, by performing at venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Newport Folk Festival, and the Hollywood Bowl. They also collaborated with other artists, such as Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, and Joan Baez.
One of their biggest hits was “The Ballad of Jed Clampett”, which was the theme song for the TV sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies. The song reached number one on the Billboard country chart in 1962, and exposed millions of viewers to bluegrass music. Another famous song was “Foggy Mountain Breakdown”, which was featured in the 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde. The song won a Grammy Award in 1969.
Split and Solo Career
Despite their success, Flatt and Scruggs had different musical visions. Scruggs wanted to experiment with new sounds and styles, while Flatt preferred to stick to the traditional bluegrass format. They also had personal conflicts over management and finances. In 1969, they decided to end their partnership after 21 years.
Flatt formed a new band called The Nashville Grass, which included many former members of The Foggy Mountain Boys. He continued to perform and record until his death in 1979. He also mentored many young musicians who would become stars in their own right, such as Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, and Vince Gill.
Scruggs formed a new band called The Earl Scruggs Revue, which featured his sons Gary, Randy, and Steve. He explored various genres such as rock, folk, country rock, and gospel. He also continued to perform and record until his death in 2012.
Health Problems and Death
Flatt suffered from various health problems throughout his life. He had a heart attack in 1967, which affected his stamina and performance. He underwent open-heart surgery in 1975, and another major surgery in 1976. He also had a brain hemorrhage in 1978, which left him partially paralyzed.
He made a remarkable recovery from his stroke, and returned to the stage of the Grand Ole Opry in March 1979. However, his condition worsened soon after. He died of heart failure on May 11, 1979, at the age of 64.
Legacy and Honors
Flatt is widely regarded as one of the greatest bluegrass musicians of all time. His guitar playing and singing influenced generations of artists in various genres. His songs are considered classics in the bluegrass repertoire. His partnership with Scruggs is considered one of the most important collaborations in American music history.
Flatt was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1985 along with Scruggs . He was also posthumously inducted as an inaugural member of the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor in 1991 . His hometown of Sparta, Tennessee held a bluegrass festival in his honor for many years . Flatt and Scruggs were ranked No. 24 on CMT’s 40 Greatest Men of Country Music in 2003 .
Lester Flatt’s death was a great loss for the bluegrass community and the music world. He left behind a rich legacy of songs, recordings, and performances that will continue to inspire and entertain generations of fans and musicians. He was a true legend and a pioneer of bluegrass music.
