1 hit – albeit posthumously – in the United Kingdom in 1966, some two years after his death in a plane crash on 31 July 1964.
[2] Although Roy Orbison had recorded the song in 1963, it is Reeves' version of "Distant Drums" which has endured over the years.
During its time at the top of the UK chart, the song beat off stiff competition from several major (and living) artists of the day.
Following Reeves' death, the track was overdubbed with an orchestral backing and released to the public as the version that later climbed up the music charts in both the United States and the UK.
[3] It was named the UK's "song of the year" and Reeves became the first overseas performer to receive this special award.