Johnny Hell

Born John R. Ride in Hendersonville, TN, Johnny Hell was an outlaw country/punk musician from 1968-1979 that innovated a mixture of different genres. Starting with his first band a Fist Full of Dollars, Hell pioneered the sound that would eventually become "hellbilly" with his second band Hell's Angels.

Briefly signed with a Nashville record label and changed his name to Johnny Hail and the Johnny Hail Quartet in an attempt to conform to the standards of Country music. Was fired after his record label found out that he had an affair with an executive's wife.

Hell reformed the Hell's Angels and started performing a mixture of outlaw country and punk rock. Released a 7" vinyl E.P. on indy punk label Scum in 1979 called Die, Nashville, Die. Career was cut short after being convicted of the [...] and [...] of a woman in West Memphis, AK. Died in prison in 1999 while serving a life sentence.

A man claiming to be Johnny Hell Jr. has recently started campaigning on Myspace.com, claiming to be taking up his father's legacy and proclaiming his innocence.

Sources

• Maximum Rock N' Roll Magazine, June 6, 1986