Hoyt Axton

Hoyt Wayne Axton (March 25, 1938 – October 26, 1999) was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor. He gained prominence in the early 1960s as a folk singer with a raw style and powerful voice. His well-known songs include 'Joy to the World', 'The Pusher', 'No No Song', 'Greenback Dollar', 'Della and the Dealer', and 'Never Been to Spain'. Axton also had a successful career as a character actor, appearing in numerous films and television shows over several decades. He often portrayed father figures, and his notable roles include 'The Black Stallion' (1979) and 'Gremlins' (1984). Born in Duncan, Oklahoma, Axton's mother cowrote the hit song 'Heartbreak Hotel' for Elvis Presley, and Axton himself had his songs recorded by Presley.