Jimmy Dean (1928–2010) was an American country singer, television host, actor, and later the founder of the Jimmy Dean sausage brand. He first gained notice as a TV personality in the 1950s before scoring his biggest music success.
“Big Bad John”
Dean wrote and recorded this 1961 story-song about a towering, quiet miner (six-foot-six, 245 pounds) who becomes a folk hero.
- The mysterious giant sacrifices himself holding up a collapsing mine shaft so the other workers can escape.
- It topped the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks and also hit No. 1 on the country chart.
- Won the 1962 Grammy for Best Country & Western Recording.
The spoken-sung narrative style and simple, dramatic tale made it a massive crossover hit and Dean’s signature song.