Hal Blair
Induction Year: 2003
Birth Name: Hal Keller Blair
Birth Date: November 26, 1915
Place of Birth: Kansas City, MO
Deceased: February 02, 2001
Place of Death: Biggs, CA
Biography
One of the leading lights of the country songwriting community on the West Coast, Hal Blair (1915-2001) contributed songs to virtually every Elvis Presley film from 1961 to 1967, including "No More" (from 1962’s Blue Hawaii), "I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here" (from 1963’s Fun In Acapulco) and "What Now, What Next, Where To?" (from 1967’s Double Trouble). The Kansas City native came to Los Angeles in the 1940s as a performer in the Rhythm Rangers and was soon providing material for Hollywood’s singing-cowboy movies of the era. In the 1950s, Hal teamed up with his most noteworthy collaborator, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Don Robertson. In addition to songs for films, Blair created material for TV shows such as The Big Valley. Among his classics is "One Has My Name (The Other Has My Heart)," which has been recorded more than 70 times
Discography / Career Highlights
Catalog Highlights:
"One Has My Name, The Other Has My Heart" - Jimmy Wakely, 1948 (#1); Eddie Dean, 1948 (#11) ;Bob Eberly, 1949 (#8); Nat King Cole, 1962; George Jones & Gene Pitney, 1965; Barry Young, 1966 (#13 Pop); Jerry Lee Lewis, 1969 (#3); Willie Nelson, 1970
"I Was The One" - Elvis Presley, 1956 (#8 Country / #19 Pop); Ronnie McDowell, 1979; Jimmie Dale Gilmore, 1993
"My Lips Are Sealed" - Jim Reeves, 1956 (#8)
"Not One Minute More" - Della Reese, 1960 (#16 Pop)
"Please Help Me, I’m Falling" - Hank Locklin, 1960 (#1 Country / #8 Pop); Skeeter Davis, 1960 (as the answer song "I’m Falling Too" - #2 Country / #39 Pop); The Everly Brothers, 1963; Duane Eddy, 1963; John Fogerty, 1973; Janie Fricke, 1978 (#12); Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn & Tammy Wynette, 1993; Floyd Cramer, 1995; Gladys Knight, 2000
"Ninety Miles An Hour (Down A Dead End Street)" - Hank Snow, 1963 (#2); Bob Dylan, 1988
"Ringo" - Lorne Green, 1964 (#1 Pop / #21 Country)
"I’m Yours" - Elvis Presley, 1965 (#11 Pop - from the film Tickle Me)