Hoyt Axton Net Worth
During the 1950’s and 1960’s Hoyt Axton was a very popular Folk Singer and Songwriter. His music had a unique earthy style. He had a powerful voice, and his songwriting was acclaimed worldwide. In addition to singing, Axton played the guitar and wrote many songs, including “Joy to the World,” and “Della and the Dealer.”
In the 1980’s Axton starred in a Busch beer commercial that was filmed at his ranch in Victor, Mont. He also narrated a documentary about the Alaska Highway, produced by public television station KAKM in Anchorage. The documentary was shown nationally on PBS. Axton and his wife were arrested for possession of marijuana in 1997.
Axton graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1956. He then went to Oklahoma State University on a scholarship. He later dropped out. He enlisted in the US Navy. He also played football for the school’s team. Afterwards, Axton married Deborah Hawkins. He and his wife had five children. The couple divorced once, but they were able to reconcile in 1996. Axton died on October 26, 1999.
Hoyt Axton was born in Duncan, Oklahoma on March 25, 1938. He was the son of a United States Naval officer. His mother was a singer named Mae Boren. She worked with Reba McEntire, Mel Tillis, and Johnny Tillotson.
Axton studied classical piano, and sang ballads from his mother. He began to play the guitar in his teens. Axton and his mother had an addiction to cocaine. He experimented with boogie and rock ‘n’ roll. Several of his songs reflect these negative experiences. In addition, Hoyt Axton was known for his humorous recordings, including “Boney Fingers” and his own recording of “Skid Row.”
Axton began his career in Los Angeles, singing in coffeehouses. He penned songs for Ringo Starr and Three Dog Night. He also penned songs for the Kingston Trio, including their folk classic “Greenback Dollar.” He had a hit with the Kingston Trio’s “Skid Row.”
In 1979, Axton was a member of The Rousters, a short-lived television sitcom that starred Jim Varney as Evan, and Chad Everett as Wyatt Earp III. Axton also appeared in the Big Mac commercials for McDonald’s in 1970. He also narrated a 1992 documentary about the Alaska Highway. His death is reported to be non-communicable. He was survived by his wife and five children. He died from a heart attack at the age of 61.
In the early 1960’s, Axton was one of the leading artists on the West Coast. He was featured in the films Gremlins (1984) and The Pusher (1984). He is best known for his songwriting, including “Joy to the World,” “Della and the Dealer,” and “No No Song.” Axton was also a narrator for the documentary Life and Times, which aired on The Nashville Network. He was a folk singer and songwriter, but his most famous song was the 1963 hit, “Joy to the World.”
He was inducted into the Oklahoma Country Music Hall of Fame eight years after his death. Axton was also a successful actor, and his films include Forrest Gump (1994) and The Big Chill (1983). He was married four times and had five children.