Red Foley has officially been gone from this earth as long as he was on it. On this day 58 years ago — September 19, 1968 — the man known as “Mr. Country Music” died in his sleep of a heart attack at age 58 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Known for songs like the 1950 crossover hit “Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy” and the gospel standard “Peace in the Valley”, Foley was the first Kentuckian elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1967.
Regarded as one of the most versatile country music performers of all time, he sold more than 25 million records and was a frequent flyer at the Grand Ole Opry during his two-decade career. Today, we honor the life and legacy of Red Foley.
What We Know About Red Foley’s Final Hours
On September 19, 1968, Red Foley performed two concerts for the Grand Ole Opry in Fort Wayne, Indiana, alongside country singer-guitarist Billy Walker and 19-year-old Hank Williams, Jr. — son of the late country legend.
According to Williams Jr., Foley was moving more slowly than usual and had little appetite. Nonetheless, the show went on…