Hoyt Wayne Axton (b. 1938 - d. 1999 ) , was a popular American folk/country/ pop singer born in Duncan Oklahoma and who died at age 61 in Bitteroot Montana. He achieved platinum success as a solo act & songwriter in the music biz, but also eventually turned movie and tv actor. ...show more

Hoyt Wayne Axton (b. 1938 - d. 1999 ) , was a popular American folk/country/ pop singer born in Duncan Oklahoma and who died at age 61 in Bitteroot Montana. He achieved platinum success as a solo act & songwriter in the music biz, but also eventually turned movie and tv actor.

His best known roles were as the protagonist's father in the 80's children's films "Gremlins" and "The Black Stallion". His behind the scenes accomplishments included penning Three Dog Night's biggest song "Joy To The World" and many other hits for acts such as Ringo Starr and Cher during his heyday in the 60's and 70's. Other artists to record his music over time included Elvis Presley, Cher, Joan Baez, Waylon Jennings, John Denver, Glen Campbell, Tanya Tucker,Arlo Guthrie, Martha Reeves and even 90's Cali punk band Ten Foot Pole. Early Career : The young Hoyt was an All-American athlete replete with football scholarship to Oklahoma State University, which he soon left to join the U.S Navy.

During his military stint he was the heavyweight champion boxer in his task force division of 35 ships. After serving in the armed forces, he arrived in Nashville with a guitar on a tip from his mother Mae Boren Axton (who co-wrote Heartbreak Hotel for Elvis Presley). Hoyt soon split Tennesee for California's burgeoning folk scene during the early 60's. He played the clubs in San Francisco's North Beach and made the scene in L.A as well. ...show less