1970s Music, Film Icon Jerry Reed Dead at 71
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September 3rd, 2008
An icon of ‘70s music and films, Jerry Reed has passed away.
Jerry Reed was songwriter for the likes of Elvis Presley, singer and busy actor in the ’70s and ’80s.
Best known to movie fans as the truck-driving, hound dog-loving Snowman from Smokey and the Bandit, Reed also penned his biggest hit for the movie, “East Bound and Down.” While not necessarily an actor with a wide range, Reed excelled in the rolls of down-home guys prone to belting out country tunes over the course of car-chase movies.
Under the name Jerry Hubbard, Reed wrote such country rock hits as “Guitar Man” (made famous in the 1968 Elvis Comeback Special — featured below) and “U.S. Male” — both of which Presley made into hits in the 1960s.
Known for his mix of novelty songs and upbeat ballads like “Wabash Cannonball” and “When You’re Hot, You’re Hot,” Reed would go on to enjoy his own recording career, performing as a regular on Hee-Haw and on Nashville stages. His acting career was highlighted (in this reporter’s opinion) by his pop culture home run on The New Scooby Doo Movies. He is mourned by the music and television industries — and especially by Michael J. Nelson of Mystery Science Theater 3000, one of his biggest fans. (That’s an inside joke for any readers who love both MST3K and Jerry Reed. There must be thousands of you.)
Among Reed’s best-known songs were “East Bound and Down” (from the Smokey and the Bandit soundtrack) and “When You’re Hot You’re Hot.”
Jerry Reed’s videos:
East Bound and Down (Music Video)
Elvis Opening of the 68 Special: Opening to the 1968 Christmas Special also known as the Comeback Special..Elvis Sungs a verse of Trouble and Guitar Man
Jerry Reed “Wabash Cannonball” & “Guitarman”: Here’s a young Jerry from the late 60’s.
Jerry Reed — When You’re Hot, You’re Hot (1982)
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