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Gary S.Paxton

 


Musician, song writer and record producer Gary Sanford Paxton was born Larry Wayne Stevens in Coffeyville, Kansas on May 18, 1939. He had poor health in childhood but nevertheless started his first band aged 14, playing country and rock and roll music. In 1989 he was shot by hit men who nearly killed him. In his later years he concentrated on gospel music. 

He was a successful record producer, recording artist, and songwriter. Paxton came to notice as a member of Skip & Flip and The Hollywood Argyles, and is famed for being producer of “Alley Oop” for The Hollywood Argyles in 1960 and “Monster Mash” for Bobby “Boris” Pickett in 1962.

One of his last compositions was entitled When I Die, Just Bury Me at Wal-Mart (So My Wife Will Come Visit Me). Paxton died in Branson, Missouri on July 17, 2016 from complications of heart surgery and liver disease, aged 77.

Image: New Pax Records

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