Legendary Musician Glen Hardin: A Lifetime of Musical Excellence
Glen Hardin, a renowned musician, celebrates his 87th birthday today. Born in Wellington, Texas in 1939, Hardin has had a remarkable career spanning nearly seven decades in the music industry. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he moved to Long Beach, California, where he played piano at the Palomino Club, a popular venue for emerging country music stars.
Growing up in West Texas, Hardin had connections to Buddy Holly's band, The Crickets, and later became an honorary member after Holly's passing. He also wrote songs for artists at Liberty Records, achieving his first No. 1 hit with "Count Me In" recorded by Gary Lewis and the Playboys in 1965. Additionally, he was part of the Shindogs, a group that appeared on the music variety show Shindig! alongside notable musicians like Glen Campbell and James Burton.
Throughout his career, Hardin collaborated with a multitude of renowned artists, including Bing Crosby, John Denver, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Kenny Rogers, and Dwight Yoakam. In 1970, he received a call from Elvis Presley, inviting him to join the TCB Band as a keyboardist. Hardin toured and recorded with Presley until 1976, contributing to hits like "Burning Love" and arranging numerous songs for the iconic singer.
Reflecting on his time with Presley, Hardin fondly recalls the recording sessions and performances, including the memorable NBC special Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite in 1973, which reached a global audience of 1.5 billion viewers. Despite his illustrious career and collaborations with music legends, Hardin remains humble and dedicated to his craft, embodying the true spirit of a seasoned musician.