Bob Wills Albums Ranked

James Robert Wills (March 6, 1905 – May 13, 1975) was an American Western swing musician, songwriter, and bandleader. Considered by music authorities as the founder of Western swing, he was known widely as the King of Western Swing (although Spade Cooley self-promoted the moniker “King of Western Swing” from 1942 to 1969). The Country Music Hall of Fame inducted Wills in 1968 and the Texas State Legislature honored him for his contribution to American music. In 1972, Wills accepted a citation from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers in Nashville. He recorded an album with fan Merle Haggard in 1973. Wills suffered two strokes that left him partially paralyzed, and unable to communicate. He was comatose the last two months of his life, and died in a Fort Worth nursing home in 1975. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted Wills and the Texas Playboys in 1999. Here are all of Bob Wills albums ranked.

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3. Here’s That Man Again 

“Bob Wills was at his best when Tommy Duncan was the singer. This CD contains the best material from the early period of Wills’ career. Along with Moon Mullican and Cliff Bruner, Wills’ early band was one of the greatest and bluesiest western swing groups in existence.”

2. The Essential Bob Wills (1935–1947) 

“This is a good place to start when discovering the music of Bob Wills and his playboys. Fine jazz influenced western swing. This is where swinging jazz meets hillbilly bop! Exciting and pioneering music. Also check out Milton Brown and Wills’ other brother Billy Jack Wills for more fun western swing…”

1. The Living Legend 

“Classic country….can’t beat the original country music…original sound, brings a smile to everyone’s face…foot tapping, make me want to dance around living room…”