Johnny Paycheck

Johnny Paycheck was a country singer and songwriter who wrote and recorded what has been labeled "The Working Man's Theme," the anthemic cover of David Allan Coe's "Take This Job and Shove It." He suffered with alcoholism and drug addiction throughout most of his career.

Fast Facts

1. Birth Name: Donald Eugene Lytle
2. Origin: Greenfield, Ohio
3. Born: May 31, 1938
4. Died: February 18, 2003
5. Years Active: 1953-2003
6. Began his career playing with George Jones

Breaking the Law

Paycheck spent time in prison in the midst of his career. The first time he served 22 months after being found guilty of shooting a man in Ohio. The second was after he was found guilty of statutory rape, as by his account a young lady who said she attended a local college offered herself to him. Her actual age was 14, and her parents pressed charges. Other various charges racked up, a Frontier Airlines stewardess pressed charges on him for his behavior during a flight, check forgery, and bar-room fights all over the country.

Quotes

1. "Always go hard and fast enough so that when you hit the ditch you can pull out the other side."
2. "I'm a man who believes that right is right and wrong is wrong. Treat me right, and I will give you my all. Treat me wrong, and I will give you nothing. They don't like me for that, but that's the way I am."
3. "To me, an "outlaw" is a man that did things his own way, whether you liked him or not. I did things my own way."

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