- Born
- Died
- Birth nameJames Robert Wills
- Nickname
- The King of Western Swing
- Bob Wills, fiddler and band leader of Bob Wills & his Texas Playboys, was an influential developer of the western swing music style in the late 1930s through the 1940s. Recorded extensively for Columbia, Decca, MGM and others. Hit recordings included "San Antonio Rose, " "Faded Love, " and "Steel Guitar Rag." He was inducted into Country Music Hall of Fame in 1968. Many country music artists cite him as a major influence, including Merle Haggard, George Strait, and Willie Nelson.
- IMDb mini biography by: Steve Hathaway <steve@westernswing.com>
- SpousesBetty Anderson(August 10, 1942 - May 13, 1975) (his death, 3 children)Mary Louise Parker(1939 - 1941) (divorced)Mary Helen Brown(1938 - 1939) (divorced)Ruth McMaster(1936 - 1936) (divorced)Edna Posey(1923 - ?) (divorced, 1 child)
- Said to be first artist to use drums on the Grand Ole Opry.
- December 3, 1973 had a stroke that put him in a coma. He died 17 months later of pneumonia.
- Pictured on one of four 29¢ US commemorative postage stamps in the Legends of American Music series, featuring Country & Western music. This set of stamps also honored Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, and The Carter Family. Issued 25 September 1993 in sheet and booklet formats.
- Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (under the category Early Influence) in 1999 (as a member of Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys).
- First of ten children to John and Emma Wills.
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