Paul English, who played drums for more than half a century for Willie Nelson and also served as the country singer’s unofficial bodyguard, died Wednesday of pneumonia, The Dallas Morning News reported. He was 87.
English, who joined Nelson’s band as a full-time member in 1966, inspired the ballad “Me & Paul,” the newspaper reported. He had played onstage with Nelson as early as 1955 at Fort Worth honky-tonks, the newspaper reported.
When asked once by a 20/20 reporter during Willie Nelson’s peak popularity if he carried a gun, and if so could he see it, Paul English answered, “Which one?” because he notoriously carried two at all times. And for years wore a cape to go along with his nickname, “The Devil.” pic.twitter.com/BPpqSM5Xkn
— Willie's Reserve (@WilliesReserve) February 12, 2020
Born in Vernon, Texas, in 1932, English was known for his tough, flamboyant drumming style, Rolling Stone reported.
In a 2015 feature for Oxford American written by Nelson biographer Joe Nick Patoski, English recalled the times he would have fistfights on the road, escalating the threats by pulling a .22-caliber he carried in his boot.
“If you’re writing songs about shooting people,” English’s son, Paul English Jr. told Patoski, “it’s nice to have a guy who’s shot people up there onstage with you.”
Rest easy to Willie Nelson’s right hand man and long time drummer, Paul English. Here’s a song Willie wrote about him called “Me and Paul” pic.twitter.com/t8cEN708j6
— Real Country Revival (@endpopcountry) February 12, 2020
On- and offstage, English adopted the nickname of “The Devil,” sporting a menacing look with a goatee, dressing in black and wearing a satin cape, Rolling Stone reported. The cape is enshrined in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s “Outlaws & Armadillos: Country’s Roaring ’70s” exhibit.
Sad news today, wonderful memories forever. RIP Paul English AKA ‘The Devil.’ Paul was Willie's longtime drummer who started playing with him in Forth Worth in 1955. pic.twitter.com/7ndrsv8PRR
— Willie's Reserve (@WilliesReserve) February 12, 2020
In addition to “Me & Paul,” Nelson burnished English’s image with his 1973 song, “Devil in a Sleepin’ Bag,” the magazine reported.
English’s rough-edge image was enhanced through his roles as a pimp and gang leader, but Nelson was grateful to have him onstage. English felt the same way.
"If I hadn’t gone with Willie, I would be in the penitentiary or dead,” English told Rolling Stone in 2014. “I was running girls and playing music at the same time.”
We are saddened by the news of Willie Nelson's long time drummer Paul English passing away. Rest In Peace Paul. Thank you for the memories, the stories and the music. You will be missed. pic.twitter.com/b3oEhm0Ray
— John T. Floore's (@Floores) February 12, 2020
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