Hank Williams' Guitarist Helms Dies

HANK WILLIAMS' guitarist DON HELMS has died. He was 81.

Helms was the last remaining member of Williams' Drifting Cowboys band. He died of a heart attack at the Skyline Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee on Monday (11Aug08).

Country singer Marty Stuart has paid tribute to the musician, saying, "He was the dean of Nashville musicians and truly an essential part of the Hank Williams legacy."

Helms joined the Drifting Cowboys in 1949 after Williams became a Grand Ole Opry star.

After Williams' death of a drug overdose in 1953, Helms went on to perform with artists including Ray Price, Ferlin Husky and Cal Smith - as well as Williams' son Hank Williams Jr. and grandson Hank Williams III.