Imagine writing a song line that later becomes your own gravestone. That is exactly what happened to country legend Jimmy Dean.
In 1961 he released Big Bad John, a song about a giant miner who saved twenty men during a collapse and then disappeared beneath the rubble. The final line everyone remembers rings like this
At the bottom of this mine lies one hell of a man.
That song launched Jimmy Dean into stardom. He became a television host, actor, and businessman, building a name that resonated far beyond country music. For nearly five decades after that record he lived a full life. Then on June 13 2010 at age 81 Jimmy Dean passed away.
His final resting place was as unique as his career. Buried on his Virginia property overlooking the James River his mausoleum was shaped like a piano. And carved into it were words taken directly from his biggest hit
Here Lies One Hell of a Man.
The line had once described a fictional hero. In the end it described Jimmy Dean himself.