Guy Clark, the legendary singer and songwriter, died in Nashville on Tuesday morning. After many years dealing with a serious illness and a long cancer battle, the Grammy winner passed away at age 74.

Clark leaves behind a son from his first marriage, Travis, two grandchildren and many other friends and family members. Susanna, his wife, died back in 2012 because of lung cancer.

Guy Clark dies at 74
The legendary country musician Gary Clark died on Tuesday after a long battle with cancer. He was 74 years old. Credit: USA Today

The famed singer released a total of 13 studio albums throughout his career. His most famous songs include “Workbench Songs,” “Heartbroke,” “Hemingway’s Whiskey,” “She’s Crazy for Leavin’,” and, of course, his biggest hit, “Desperados Waiting for a Train.” According to the reports, this last one he wrote it about a man who lived in Clark’s grandmother’s hotel, in Texas, while the singer lived there as a boy with his family.

Clark’s career

Clark grew up in Rockport, Texas, and was an accomplished athlete, debater and actor, Taste of Country noted. He moved out from Peace Corps to Houston and then to California. He had to take jobs at guitar repair shops to survive. In the early ‘70s, Clark signed a publishing deal with Sunbury Dunbar, after that he moved to Music City.

The artist that have recorded Clark’s songs included Cash, Brad Paisley and Alan Jackson; Steve Wariner and Kenny Chesney. Clark also serves as a songwriting mentor for artists such as Steve Earle and Rodney Crowell. The artist turned his house into “sanctuary,” as Taste of Country described it, for writers, folk singers and artists.

In 2014, Clark won a Grammy Award for Best Folk Album with “My Favorite Picture of You.” The record featured a picture of his wife and creative partner, according to Clark’s website.

Guy Clark was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Source: Syracuse