Hazlewood – the son of an Oklahoma oilman – won fame in the 1950s after collaborations with Duane Eddy. The British Invasion of the 1960s overshadowed him somewhat, but his work in turning Nancy Sinatra from a saccharine popstress to a sultry siren saw him return to the fold. Their on-stage chemistry and hits such as ‘Some Velvet Morning’ and ‘These Boots Are Made for Walkin’’ saw him return to the mainstream. However, his experimental streak and peripatetic lifestyle saw him become more of a cult figure, revered by artists as diverse as Nick Cave, Belle and Sebastian and Sonic Youth drummer Steve Shelley.
In 2005, he was diagnosed with cancer of the kidneys. Late last year, his farewell album, Cake or Death – a wry, witty record backed by extensive touring and rounds of interviews – was released to great critical acclaim. He died on 4 August, at his home in Henderson, Nevada, and is survived by his wife wife Jeane, son Mark and daughters Debbie and Samantha.