Terry Gilkyson
| Terry Gilkyson | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Hamilton Henry Gilkyson III |
| Born |
June 17, 1916 Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Died | October 15, 1999 (aged 83) Austin, Texas, United States |
| Genres | Folk |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, composer, lyricist |
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Years active | 1950s–1960s |
| Associated acts | The Easy Riders |
Hamilton Henry "Terry" Gilkyson III (June 17, 1916 – October 15, 1999) was an American folk singer, composer, and lyricist.
Gilkyson was born in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania and graduated from St George's high school in 1935. By his early twenties, he had become a worker on a ranch in Tucson, Arizona, then joined the military during World War II. In 1947, he married Jane Gilkyson and moved to California to pursue a career as a folk singer.
He wrote and recorded "The Cry of the Wild Goose", which became a hit song for Frankie Laine in 1950, as well as the 1953 hit song "Tell Me a Story" recorded by Jimmy Boyd and Laine. In 1951 Gilkyson appeared in, as well as wrote continuing songs for, the Cinecolor Western film Slaughter Trail that, in the manner of High Noon, had ballads throughout the film relating to the plot. He was also featured vocalist on The Weavers No. 1 hit recording of "On Top Of Old Smokey", as well as their recording of "Across The Wide Missouri". He appeared and sang in the 1956 Western Star in the Dust with John Agar, Mamie Van Doren, and Richard Boone.
In 1956, he formed a group called The Easy Riders with Richard Dehr and Frank Miller. The group had a major hit with "Marianne", both written and performed by the trio. The record sold in excess of one million copies, earning a gold disc. The three also wrote "Memories Are Made of This", which became a popular song in several versions, most particularly the one sung by Dean Martin backed by the Easy Riders. An adaptation of the song became an anthem for refugees from the 1956 Hungarian Revolution.
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