The Story Behind The Song………………… “Elizabeth” – The Statler Brothers (#1, 1984) Almost every movie fan is familiar with the name Elizabeth Taylor, one of the world’s most popular actresses and star of some of Hollywood’s most-revered, classic films. A two-time Oscar winner, Taylor also inspired the Statler Brothers’ second #1 single (the first had been 1978’s “Do You Know You Are My Sunshine”) with a movie she had starred in 28 years earlier. The Statlers are ardent fans of the cinema, a fact that rings true in their songs “The Movies” (#10, 1977) and “Whatever Happened To Randolph Scott” (#22, 1974), and when they were still touring, the boys would often unwind from performances by watching old films right there on their tour bus. One one occasion, they selected the 1956 picture “Giant,” starring Rock Hudson, James Dean and Elizabeth Taylor. Group member Jimmy Fortune latched on to the actress’s first name and, inspired by the beauty of it, wrote a song to match. “Elizabeth” reached the #1 plateau on Billboard’s country chart on March 17, 1984. Jimmy went on to compose several more of the Statler Brothers’ hits: “My Only Love” and “Too Much On My Heart,” (both number ones), “Forever” (#7) and “More Than A Name On A Wall” (#6). Fortune was the newest member of the group, having joined after ill health forced Lew DeWitt off the road. DeWitt suffered from Crohn’s disease, a rare condition aggravated in his case by the stress of constant touring. He took time off the road in 1982, with Fortune replacing him temporarily. DeWitt rejoined the group at the Music City News Awards on June 7, but it proved to be his final appearance with the Statlers as he announced his retirement that night, and Jimmy was immediately named as his permanent replacement. Group member Don Reid said that they were looking for someone who would fit in with the group personally as well as professionally, and to enhance the group’s sound, not change it. Reid felt confident that in Jimmy Fortune, they had found the right person to take Lew’s place. The transition turned out very smooth right from the start. Because of the change in the group’s lineup, the Statler Brothers found themselves participating in a number of press conferences to explain the situation to reporters. DeWitt told Donna Delaney of “Country Song Roundup” magazine how badly he felt for the guys to have to go through all that, but there wasn’t anything he could do. His doctor had told him to either “quit, or he would be in a lot of trouble.” In the end, the Crohn’s disease proved fatal, as it claimed Lew’s life during his sleep on August 15, 1990 at his home in Waynesboro, Virginia. He was 52 years old. DeWitt had written the Statlers’ first hit “Flowers On The Wall” back in 1965 (the subject of one of my previous “stories behind the song”). Without that first big one, would they have eventually found stardom anyway? We’ll never know, but I think the rest of the guys realize just how great their debt of gratitude is to Lew DeWitt. – JH youtu.be/q4E-87BJYQA
Posted on: Sat, 23 Aug 2014 12:19:15 +0000