Merle Kilgore, who co-wrote "Ring of Fire" and other hits during a wide-ranging career in music that started at the Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport, died Sunday night in Mexico of medical complications related to his treatment for cancer. He was 70.
Kilgore and Elvis Presley performed together when Presley was launching his career in the mid 1950s. At the Louisiana Hayride, Kilgore witnessed a rarity: a Presley failure. In an Associated Press interview in 1990, Kilgore said the first time Presley performed on the Hayride, he bombed.
Songwriter Merle Kilgore Dies
February 08, 2005 | People
Sean Ryan wrote on
February 08, 2005
Cant say I know much about this song writer. Very sad when anyone associated with Elvis dies.I guess this person was also a singer,possibly country. Must say that I,ve never seen this photo before and its a great one. Looks like a pic from 55/56 which would make Elvis 20/21. That would make Mr.Kilgore the same age but he seems to look much older than that. Does anyone else agree or maybe its just me. Saying that the first time Elvis bombed maybe was the wrong choice of words. I would have said that they just wasnt ready for him.