Blaze Foley

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Blaze Foley (1949 in Malvern, Arkansas;February 1, 1989 in Austin, Texas) was an American singer-songwriter.

Contents

[edit] Biography

Foley grew up in Texas. He performed in a gospel band called The Fuller Family with his mother and sisters. After leaving home, he performed in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston and finally Austin, Texas, where even in this city of non-conformists his unusual character was noticed. He slept on friend's couches or under pool-tables in bars. He made the Austin Outhouse his home. He was close friends with another Texas legend, Townes Van Zandt.

His song "If I Could Only Fly" became a hit in the interpretation of Merle Haggard. His song "Election Day" was covered by Lyle Lovett on his 2003 album "My Baby Don't Tolerate" and his song "Clay Pigeons" was covered by John Prine on his 2005 album "Fair and Square."

In 1989, Foley was shot to death while helping his friend Concho January defend himself from his violent son Carey January. Carey January was acquitted of murder in the first degree by reason of self-defense. Friends of Foley were outraged at the verdict.

Blaze Foley jokingly claimed to be the illegitimate son of Red Foley and Blaze Starr.

[edit] Music and Lyrics

The very emotional songs Foley wrote were marked by honesty. They were about all things in life, from lovesongs to sharp political commentary. Because of the latter one of his master tapes is rumoured to have been confiscated by the FBI (or the DEA).

Foley worked among others with Townes Van Zandt and Calvin Russell.

The song "Drunken Angel" by Lucinda Williams which appears on her 1998 album Car Wheels on a Gravel Road is a tribute to Foley.

[edit] Quotes

[edit] About Foley

  • He's only gone crazy once. Decided to stay. -Townes Van Zandt
  • Blaze Foley was a genius and a beautiful loser. -Lucinda Williams

[edit] Discography

No records were available during Foley's lifetime. It was ten years after his death when a recording by Blaze Foley was finally made available.

  • Live At the Austin Outhouse (Lost Art Records) 1999
  • Oval Room (Lost Art Records) 2004, (Munic/Indigo) 2005
  • Wanted More Dead Than Alive (Waddell Hollow Records) 2005
  • Blaze Foley and the Beaver Valley Boys (Lost Art Records) 2006

[edit] Tributes

  • In Memory and Loving Tribute...Volume One, (Deep South Productions) 1998
  • BFI Too: Blaze Ablaze, (Deep South Productions) 1999
  • Blaze Foley Inside, (Deep South Productions) 2000
  • Songs for Blaze, a Friend of Ours, (Deep South Productions)

[edit] External links

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