Hoyt Axton

In the early 1960s Hoyt Axton released his first folk album, The Balladeer, which included his song Greenback Dollar, a 1963 hit for The Kingston Trio.

Axton continued to release albums well into the 1980s, retaining an honest, down-home approach to his music. His vocal style was notable for its distinctive baritone: at times gritty and defiant, other times mellow, and occasionally deliberately cartoonish.

Axton's most lasting contributions will probably be songs made famous by others, including Three Dog Night, Steppenwolf, Ringo Starr, Joan Baez, John Denver, and Waylon Jennings.

Axton's most popular and signature song, Joy to the World made famous by Three Dog Night, was the top hit of 1971.

Axton also became an actor specialising in playing good ol' boys on television and in films. He spent some time struggling with alcohol and cocaine addiction, and eventually suffered a stroke from which he never fully recovered and died in 1999 at the age of 61.

Hoyt Axton

Southbound / Fearless Hoyt Axton £10.99 A Rusty Old Halo / Where Did The Money Go? Hoyt Axton £8.99 Less Than The Song / Life Machine Hoyt Axton £10.99