U. S. singer and songwriter Barton Lee Hazlewood (File Photo)

    BEIJING, Aug. 7 (Xinhuanet) -- U.S. singer and songwriter Barton Lee Hazlewood, best known for writing and producing "These Boots Are Made for Walkin" for Nancy Sinatra, died, 78, of kidney cancer on Saturday evening, media reported Tuesday. 

    Hazlewood was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2005 and subsequently recorded his final album, "Cake or Death" in 2006.

    The Oklahoma native did notable work both early and late in his career, and was most famous for his work with Nancy Sinatra in the middle and late '60s, including writing and producing such hits as "Sugartown" and "Some Velvet Morning." He also produced "Something Stupid," a duet Nancy recorded with her father in 1967.

    Hazlewood also produced for Duane Eddy and Gram Parsons, and performed on a number of solo albums and with Nancy Sinatra in three "Nancy & Lee" albums.

    "We recorded it on the 13th and we had 13 musicians and when it went to No. 1, Barton bought watches for everybody who played on the date with only the number 13 on them," Sinatra recalled, using Hazlewood's first given name.

    "He hasn't gotten the recognition he should," Sinatra added Monday, "and he's one of the most influential songwriter-producers ever, and he deserves proper attention from his peers."

    Barton Lee Hazlewood was born in Oklahoma and grew up mainly in Port Neches, Texas. He was exposed to blues and country, but he was a demanding listener, responding mainly to a clever lyric.

    He was survived by his third wife, Jeane, his son Mark and daughters Debbie and Samantha.

    (Agencies)