Glenn Barber

Country and rockabilly performer Glenn Barber entered the world on February 2, 1935, in Hollis, OK. His family soon relocated to Pasadena, TX, where the boy developed an early fascination with music. Starting out on guitar, he later added bass, drums, dobro, and mandolin to his instrumental arsenal. His first recording appeared in 1952 on the Stampede label with the single "You Took the Twinkle Out of My Stars," followed in 1954 by a contract with Starday. Over the ensuing years he issued a string of countrified rockabilly sides for the company, the final one surfacing in 1956 just as rock & roll engulfed the nation. Manager Pappy Dailey then guided him to the D imprint, which put out four Barber singles across the rest of the decade.

With the arrival of the 1960s, Barber served as a disc jockey and featured performer at Houston’s KIKK. He and the Western Swingmasters broadcast five nights a week until 1968, when he signed with Nashville’s Hickory label. His first album, A New Star, appeared in 1970. Four chart entries resulted from the Hickory association, including the 1969 single “Kissed By the Rain, Warmed By the Sun” and “Unexpected Goodbye” in 1972, both of which reached the Top 30. Roy Orbison later recorded the Hickory track “She Cheats on Me.” In 1979 Barber moved to MMI and wrote the hit “Everyone Wants to Disco,” his last chart success. During the 1980s and ’90s he devoted himself to painting and screenwriting.