The Convoy hitmaker CW McCall (also known as William Dale Fries Jr.) passed away on April 1, 1975, at the age of 93. His son, Bill Fries III, presumably confirmed the initial story of his death by The Washington Post.
The country singer-songwriter is most known for songs about trucks, such as Convoy, his biggest hit. The country song from 1975 topped both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the US Hot Country Songs charts (Billboard).
Dale Fries Jr. is survived by his wife Rena Bonnema, three daughters, grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, according to The Washington Post. Additionally, the singer has a great-great-grandchild.
CW McCall’s Death Cause
McCall reportedly passed away at his home in Ouray, Colorado, where he served as mayor from 1986 until 1992. In February, Dale Fries Jr. claimed he had cancer and hinted that he was undergoing treatment at the time.
Although the type of cancer was not specified, it was presumably in an advanced stage for William Dale Fries Jr. to pass away within two months of his prognosis. The duration of his cancer diagnosis was unknown at the time this article was published.
Following the death of William Dale Fries Jr. (aka CW McCall), an outpouring of sympathy has occurred. Numerous country music lovers took to Twitter to pay their respects to the deceased performer. Numerous individuals said that his songs were played on citizen band radio (CB radio) for truckers and other enthusiasts.
CW McCall’s distinguished legacy
William Dale Fries Jr. (born Billie Dale Fries) was employed by a Nebraska advertising agency in the early 1970s. In 1974, he developed award-winning advertising for Old Home Bread by Metz Baking Company.
William Dale Fries Jr. created C. W. McCall, a truck driver, for the campaign. While Texan actor Jim Finlayson originated the character, Dale Fries Jr. became synonymous with the moniker.
The popularity of the advertisement spawned a multitude of songs, many of which were composed and performed by the deceased singer. Meanwhile, Mannheim Steamroller founder Chip Davis contributed to the music and played the instruments for these achievements.
In the early years of MGM Records’ music publishing, the duo was signed. Later, Polydor Records and American Gramaphone succeeded it. In their history, they have released eight studio albums, with 2003’s American Spirit being the most recent.
CW McCall’s most popular song, Convoy, has been awarded gold by the RIAA. In 1978, the song inspired a motion picture starring Kris Kristofferson, Ali McGraw, and Ernest Borgnine.
The song was also utilized in Rockstar Games’ phenomenally successful Grand Theft Auto V video game. McCall was a politician and activist in the past.
In his song Kidnap America, he alludes to circumstances such as the Iran hostage crisis (as depicted in the film Argo), to which many of his songs brought attention.
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