No Stranger There

Category: News/Obituary

It is with a heavy heart that I report the death of Don Maddox.  

Maddox, the last surviving member of the Maddox Brothers and Rose, died today (Sunday 9/12).  

Born in Boaz, Alabama in 1922, Don became part of “America’s Most Colorful Hillbilly Band” in the 40s.  The band became legendary in the Bakersfield and west coast country music scene, so much so that it was their faces that greeted you when you walked into the “Bakersfield” exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame. 

Their music was a pure joy.  They sounded like they were having more fun than the audience, laughing and whooping it up on the records.  From the risqué (“Sally Let Your Bangs Hang Down” and Don’s constant remark, “That’s ‘Friendly Henry’ the working girl’s friend” whenever brother Henry took a mandolin solo) to the legendary (their recording of Woody Guthrie’s “Philadelphia Lawyer” remains the standard by which other versions are judged) to the sacred (their gospel album is fantastic, highlighted by “I’ll Be No Stranger There”), their music covered all the country bases.  Along the way, their matching rhinestone suits set the example for Nashville to follow.

Rose’s Grammy-nominated album $35 and a Dream featured Don doing a recital on the Merle Haggard-penned “Dusty Memories,” as well as a mention in the song “Tonight I’m On Stage” (“all have passed on except Don and me”).  He was well loved among musicians young enough to be his grandchildren, including Deke Dickerson, who frequently had Maddox at the Hillbilly Fest in Las Vegas. 

There were countless people clamoring for their induction into the Hall of Fame.  Now, with the end of the band, it’s too late.  That is an inexcusable crime.

Farewell to the final member of the legendary Maddox Brothers and Rose.  Don was 98.