Johnny Paycheck’s life was one of extreme highs and lows, fitting the persona of the outlaw country legend that he became. Raised in poverty, Paycheck’s musical talent propelled him out of those circumstances, and his song “Take This Job and Shove It” became a working-class anthem in 1977, cementing his status as a blue-collar hero.
However, his rise to fame came with a price. Paycheck’s reckless behavior and volatile nature were as legendary as his music. After moving to Nashville, he found success as a session musician, playing bass and providing vocals for iconic artists like Ray Price, George Jones, and Patsy Cline. His tenure with Cline, however, ended in chaos after a drunken incident where he stole her car for a joyride, only to be caught when he ran out of gas. This was just one example of Paycheck’s disregard for the law when under the influence.
As his drug use escalated, Paycheck transitioned from alcohol to cocaine and amphetamines, which fueled his wild, self-destructive behavior. His bandmates and colleagues, including Gary Adams, described him as someone who repeatedly self-sabotaged, entering cycles of destruction every few years.
Paycheck’s temper and smaller stature led him to adopt an aggressive attitude, sometimes compensating for his perceived insecurities by involving himself in dangerous situations. One of the most notable aspects of his wild personality was his association with the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. With them, he found a sense of empowerment, feeling “10 feet taller,” and was treated with reverence by the gang.
In a particularly reckless moment in 1985, Paycheck was in Maryland with the Hells Angels when he grabbed a stash of cocaine before fleeing a possible raid. High and reckless, he drove down Highway 72, stopping at a bar in Hillsboro, Ohio. After a few drinks and some conversation with two locals, Paycheck became offended and, in a cocaine-fueled rage, pulled out a pistol and shot one of the men, Larry, in the head. Miraculously, Larry survived the shooting with only a grazing wound, but the incident exemplified Paycheck’s increasingly violent tendencies during his chaotic years.
Reflecting on his friend’s behavior, Swamp Dogg, a longtime collaborator, suggested that Paycheck’s life could have led him down a very different path, one that could have been even darker. Despite the controversy surrounding his personal life, Johnny Paycheck’s music remains a testament to his talents and his tumultuous journey through fame and excess.
