“El Paso“ is a country and western ballad written and originally recorded by Marty Robbins….while first being released on his Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs album in September 1959….and was released as a single the following month….as it became a major hit on both the country and pop music charts….after reaching # 1 in both at the start of 1960….plus, It won the Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording in 1961….while remaining Robbins’ best-known song.
“El Paso” It is widely considered a genre classic for its gripping narrative which ends in the death of its protagonist….its shift from past to present tense…..haunting harmonies by vocalists Bobby Sykes and Jim Glaser (of the Glaser Brothers)….and the eloquent and varied Spanish guitar accompaniment by Grady Martin….which lends to the recording’s distinctive Tex-Mex feel. Members of the Western Writers of America chose “El Paso” as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time.
In this video seen herewith….Marty Robbins performs “El Paso” on the stage live at Austin City Limits in 1980.
