Chart Rewind: In 1974, Waylon Jennings reached No. 1 for the first time

On June 22, 1974, Waylon Jennings' “This Time” became his first No. 1 on the Advertising signHot Country Songs Chart. It was released as the lead single from his LP of the same name, which he produced with Willie Nelson.

With “This Time”, which Jennings wrote exclusively, he achieved his first of 16 Hot Country Songs hits (his 31st entry on the chart). Scored his first of 53 top 10 hits with “(That's What You Get) For Lovin' Me,” which reached No. 9 in 1966. Among his No. 1 hits, “Highwayman” – by Jennings , Nelson, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson – led in 1985.

Jennings was born on June 15, 1937 in Littlefield, Texas. His storied career included an on-air presence at KLLL Lubbock, Texas and his famous run as a wildcard on CBS' The Dukes of Khazar in 1979-85.

In 1959, Jennings played bass in Buddy Holly's band on the Winter Dance Party tour. He performed with Holly during the latter's final show at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa. Holly, JP Richardson (The Big Bopper) and Ritchie Valens were killed in a plane crash on February 3 after the concert.

Jennings, who played a large role in country music's Outlaw movement of the 1970s, was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001. He died in February 2002 at the age of 64 at his home in Mesa, Ariz., after a long battle with Diabetes.

Jennings' legacy is in vogue in 2024. His rebellious ways were one of the most talked about elements in the recently released Netflix documentary The Greatest Night in Popwhich chronicles his departure from the US recording of Africa's megahit, and the Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 for four weeks in 1985, “We Are the World.”

“Waylon in '75”, a track on Chayce Beckham's debut album, Bad for meis just one example of today's artists paying homage to him. Meanwhile, Shooter Jennings, the 45-year-old son of Jennings and Jessi Colter (who married in 1969), has announced that he has unearthed unreleased music from his father and plans to release it in 2025.