Music and Harry Dean Stanton
Long before Harry Dean Stanton starred in Repo Man and Paris Texas to become a kind of cultish character actor I was always eagerly looking for his weathered face in films from Cool Hand Luke to Straight Time and countless other appearances in various genres. From westerns like The Proud Rebel to playing a member of the Dillinger gang and then of course there was Alien. Harry even turned up once as a mysterious angel in One Magic Christmas.
The fact that he played a guitar and had a very country-folk sound attracted me as well. I grew up in a house full of country and bluegrass music so to see and hear an actor actually picking and playing his own sound was kind of cool.
Picking alongside Dustin Hoffman in an underrated crime flick.
When the early days of country videos caught on Harry was the perfect actor to capture “Those memories of You Still Haunt Me” on his face in this Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt harmony classic.
One for the road. Harry singing a classic of country music’s all time greatest George Jones.
Now it’s off to the game with long time pal Jack.
Or how about picking up a storm with Willie.
Care to share some favorite Harry films, scenes or songs?
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I have no special Harry Dean Stanton tales to tell but, so far as his picking buddies go, should you ever get to a Janis Ian gig ask her to tell the story of the time she recorded a track with Willie Nelson.
Will do. Harry is kind of lucky in that he got to play with many music icons of an era. Dylan, Kristofferson etc through the window of the movies.
great face and character actor, livens up the Avengers even. I love to see this side of actors, nice collection of stuff here!
He has become one of those actors that todays film makers want to include in their projects for cameos to say they met and worked with him. Favorite part in The Avengers!
He is a character all right and a most interesting actor. He had a relationship with Ronstadt of sorts. Didn’t he direct the “To know him is to Love him” videomwith Linda, Dolly and Emmy lou @ the George Lucas ranch.
not sure about directing but I know he was in another of their videos. Couldn’t remember the title. Thanks.
Reblogged this on Mike's Take On the Movies ………. Rediscovering Cinema's Past and commented:
A heavy heart here at Mike’s Take today. Mr. Stanton has always been one of my favorite character actors who made so many films better than they had any right to be and he made good ones great. When I began this blog he was one of the first actors I paid tribute to so I am reblogging this feature on Harry and his music,.
One of my favorites. Thanks for the repost.