Johnny Paycheck

American country singer (1938-2003)

Johnny Paycheck was a legendary American country music singer who became a key figure in the “outlaw movement” of the 1970s. Despite facing personal challenges later in his career, his music and his signature song “Take This Job and Shove It” have left a lasting impact on the genre.

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About the Johnny Paycheck

Johnny Paycheckwas an American country music singer and Grand Ole Opry member notable for recording the David Allan Coe song “Take This Job and Shove It”. He achieved his greatest success in the 1970s as a force in country music’s “outlaw movement” popularized by artists Hank Williams Jr., Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Billy Joe Shaver, and Merle Haggard. In 1980, Paycheck appeared on the PBS music program Austin City Limits, though in the ensuing decade, his music career slowed due to drug, alcohol, and legal problems. He served a prison sentence in the early 1990s, and his declining health effectively ended his career in early 2000.

Frequently Asked Questions

Johnny Paycheck (born Donald Eugene Lytle) was born on May 31, 1938.

Johnny Paycheck is best known for recording the David Allan Coe song ‘Take This Job and Shove It’.

In the 1970s, Johnny Paycheck was a part of the country music ‘outlaw movement’ popularized by artists like Hank Williams Jr., Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson.

Johnny Paycheck appeared on the PBS music program Austin City Limits in 1980.

In the 1990s, Johnny Paycheck’s music career slowed due to drug, alcohol, and legal problems, and he served a prison sentence. His declining health also effectively ended his career in the early 2000s.