Slim Whitman, the high-pitched yodeling county music singer whose career spanned decades, died yesterday at the age of 90. He gained cult status after he filmed a TV commercial that promoted a release of his top greatest hits.

Slim Whitman’s breakthrough song was "Love Song of the Waterfall," which was released in the early 1950’s but the song that made him a star was "Indian Love Call." In fact the song "Indian Love Call" was used in the movie "Mars Attacks."  In the movie the sound of the song made the heads of invading Martians explode.

Slim inspired Elvis Presley. When Elvis debuted professionally in Memphis in 1954, he was opening for Slim. He joined The Grand Ole Opry in 1955 and then went to Britain as the first country singer to play the London Palladium.

Check out his cheesy but yet loveable TV commercials. I loved them along with Boxcar Willie and pan flute expert, Zamfir. Slim Whitman was born Ottis Dewey Whitman Jr. and died of heart failure according to his son.

 

 

Source: The Hookup

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