Playing the Balladeer, the showâs 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.
Waylonâs solo success was rocky after the show ended. He was part of the USA for Africa supergroup, which released âWe Are the Worldâ in 1985, and his 1985 album Will the Wolf Survive boosted his resurgence. However, by the â90s, 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 â80s, 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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