March 27, 2025

TOMBSTONE—THE TOWN TOO TOUGH TO DIE!

admin Features Arizona, Gunfight O.K. Corral, Outlaw Magazine, Robin Keen, Tears Garden Book, Tombstone

TOMBSTONE—THE TOWN TOO TOUGH TO DIE!

In the fall of 1976, the Bicentennial year, I vividly remember stepping off a Greyhound bus in Tombstone, Arizona. It was October 26, although after months of traveling the highways and backroads, from the East Coast to the West, that fact at first glance carried little significance. Wanted! The Outlaws had been released earlier that year, and its songs were still populating the airwaves. It felt like there was no better time for a young guy to be on the road.

Tombstone was a different place back then, tourists were few and the historic O.K. Corral lay almost forgotten.

Tombstone, Arizona, is without doubt one of the most legendary towns of the American Old West. Founded in 1879, it quickly grew from a small mining camp to a bustling boomtown, thanks to the discovery of rich silver deposits. At its peak, the town boasted a population of around 15,000, along with numerous saloons, gambling halls, and theaters. However, it was not just the wealth of silver that cemented Tombstone’s place in history—it was also the violence and lawlessness that led to one of the most infamous gunfights in American history: the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

THE BOOM & BUST OF TOMBSTONE

Ed Schieffelin, a prospector, first discovered silver in the area in 1877, despite warnings that all he would find in the desert was his own tombstone—thus inspiring the town’s name. The mining boom brought prosperity, but it also attracted criminals, outlaws, and rival factions, leading to frequent conflicts between lawmen and cowboys.

Tombstone thrived with its numerous businesses, including the Bird Cage Theatre, famous for its rough and rowdy atmosphere, and the luxurious Grand Hotel. However, as mining operations expanded, water seepage into the mines became a major problem. By the late 1880s, coupled with falling silver prices, the once-thriving town saw a steep decline in population and prosperity.

THE GUNFIGHT AT THE O.K. CORRAL

The most famous event in Tombstone’s history occurred on October 26, 1881. Tensions had been rising between the Earp brothers—Virgil, Wyatt, and Morgan—along with their ally Doc Holliday, and the Clanton-McLaury faction, a group of cowboys often suspected of cattle rustling and criminal activities. The rivalry culminated in a deadly confrontation in a vacant lot behind the O.K. Corral.

The gunfight lasted only about 30 seconds but left three cowboys—Tom McLaury, Frank McLaury, and Billy Clanton—dead. Virgil and Morgan Earp were wounded, while Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp emerged mostly unscathed. The event cemented the Earps and Doc Holliday as legendary figures of the Old West. However, the legal aftermath saw Wyatt Earp embark on a vendetta ride, exacting revenge on those responsible for attacking his family in the months that followed.

THE TOWN TOO TOUGH TO DIE

Despite economic decline, Tombstone refused to fade into obscurity. Its resilience earned it the slogan “The Town Too Tough to Die.” While many boomtowns became ghost towns, Tombstone reinvented itself as a historical attraction. Today, it remains a vibrant tourist destination, with reenactments of the O.K. Corral gunfight, well-preserved historical buildings like the Crystal Palace Saloon, and the hauntingly famous Boothill Graveyard.

TOMBSTONE TODAY

Modern-day Tombstone embraces its Wild West past, drawing visitors eager to step back in time. The town’s museums, historic sites, and annual events, such as Helldorado Days, celebrate the rugged spirit of the frontier. Though silver no longer fuels its economy, the legends of outlaws, lawmen, and gunfights continue to captivate history enthusiasts from around the world.

Tombstone’s legacy as “The Town Too Tough to Die” endures, proving that even as fortunes rise and fall, some stories remain immortal.

: THE O.K. CORRAL, 1976

: THE JOINT EDITOR IN ARIZONA, 1976

: THE O.K. CORRAL, 1976

: BOOTHILL GRAVEYARD, 1976

March 27, 2025

OUTLAW COUNTRY MUSIC – AN OUTSIDER’S INTRODUCTION

admin Features, Uncategorized Chris Stapleton, Highwaymen, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Luckenbach, Merle Haggard, Outlaw Magazine, Outlaw Music, Tompall Glaser, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson

OUTLAW COUNTRY MUSIC – AN OUTSIDER’S INTRODUCTION

Outlaw Country music isn’t just a sound—it’s a movement, a way of life, and a rebellion against the constraints of the mainstream music industry. Emerging in the late 1960s and hitting its stride in the 1970s, Outlaw Country was born from a desire for artistic freedom and a return to the raw, authentic spirit of country music. It was a sound that rejected the polished, overproduced style dominating Nashville and instead embraced gritty storytelling, rugged individualism, and an unapologetic attitude.

THE ROOTS OF THE OUTLAW MOVEMENT

The seeds of Outlaw Country were planted long before the term was coined. Artists like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, and Merle Haggard laid the foundation with their hard-edged, rebellious personas and honest songwriting. Their music resonated with those who felt disillusioned by the constraints of society and the music industry alike.

By the 1960s, Nashville’s Music Row had become known for its tight control over artists and its preference for polished, radio-friendly productions. Record executives dictated how albums should sound, from the choice of producers to the musicians who played on them. This formulaic approach stifled creativity and left many artists longing for something more authentic.

THE RISE OF THE OUTLAWS

Outlaw Country as a distinct movement took shape in the late 1960s and early 1970s, led by artists who refused to conform. Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, and Johnny Cash became the faces of this new sound. They demanded the right to record their music on their own terms, often bypassing traditional Nashville producers in favor of a raw, unfiltered style.

One of the defining albums of the movement was Honky Tonk Heroes (1973) by Waylon Jennings. With a stripped-down sound and rebellious lyrics, the album showcased the storytelling and defiance that would become hallmarks of the genre. Around the same time, Willie Nelson left Nashville for Texas, where he embraced a more freewheeling, eclectic sound that fused country with folk, rock, and blues. His 1975 album Red Headed Stranger became a landmark of Outlaw Country.

THE OUTLAW IMAGE AND INFLUENCE

Outlaw Country wasn’t just about the music—it was also about attitude and lifestyle. These artists cultivated a renegade image, often donning long hair, beards, and leather jackets, rejecting the clean-cut appearance expected of country stars. They sang about drinking, heartbreak, lawlessness, and life on the road, resonating with working-class fans who saw themselves reflected in the lyrics.

The movement reached its peak with the release of Wanted! The Outlaws in 1976, a compilation album featuring Jennings, Nelson, Tompall Glaser, and Jessi Colter. It became country music’s first platinum-certified album, proving that the outlaw spirit had mainstream appeal despite its rebellious nature.

THE LEGACY OF OUTLAW COUNTRY

By the 1980s, mainstream country music began shifting once again, and the Outlaw movement faded from the charts. However, its influence never disappeared. The spirit of Outlaw Country can be heard in modern artists like Sturgill Simpson, Chris Stapleton, and Cody Jinks, who continue to challenge the norms of the industry while staying true to the roots of the genre.

Moreover, Outlaw Country’s impact extended beyond music. Its influence is evident in literature and film, from the rugged storytelling of Cormac McCarthy to movies like The Highwaymen and Crazy Heart, which capture the ethos of the Outlaw musician.

A FINAL WORD

Outlaw Country was never just about making music—it was about making a stand. It was about rejecting corporate control, embracing personal freedom, and staying true to the raw emotions that define country music. Though the golden age of the Outlaw movement may have passed, its legacy continues to inspire artists and fans alike, proving that true country music will always have a place for the rebels and the rule-breakers.

While not full-blooded Outlaw Country artists, many others have contributed to what more loosely could be called Outlaw music. For example, one of the classic albums on the subject must surely be The Eagles 1973 release Desperado.