Hargus “Pig” Robbins (1938–2022), pianist for Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers
legacy.comHargus “Pig” Robbins was a country music session pianist who played on hits including Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” and on Bob Dylan’s “Blonde on Blonde” album.Blind since childhood, Robbins learned to play piano while attending the Nashville School for the blind.
He began playing for Nashville’s greatest musicians in the 1950s, his first big hit coming with George Jones’ (1931–2013) “White Lightning” in 1959.
Robbins would go on to play on some of the most enduring hits of country music history: “I Fall to Pieces” by Patsy Cline (1932–1963), Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind)” by Loretta Lynn, “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers (1938–2020), “Don’t it Make My Brown Eyes Blue” by Crystal Gayle, and many more.
He became a member of the Nashville A-Team, the celebrated group of session musicians whose ranks included Chet Atkins (1924–2001) and Earl Scruggs (1924–2012).Robbins also used his talents outside of country music, contributing prominently to Dylan’s “Blonde on Blonde,” including the barrelhouse piano on “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35.” He also played with artists including Joan Baez, Gordon Lightfoot, Leon Russell (1942–2016), Aaron Neville, and Ween.
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