Buck Owens, RIP

The death this weekend of Buck Owens was one I took special note of.  I've been listening to him a lot lately.  I hadn't thought about Owens for years, until I saw "Capturing the Friedmans" a second time. The first time was at Sundance, and I hadn't a clue who the Friedmans were, let alone why they needed to be captured. Only on repeat viewing did I realize how richly appropriate was the choice of Owens's "Act Naturally" in the opening credits.

Also, I loved how it sounded.  That was the classic "Bakersfield sound," a raw, forward-moving yet emotionally sophisticated approach to songwriting. Working out of that California town he adopted as his own -- he died there shortly after one of his twice-weekly performances -- Owens perfected the Bakersfield sound in the 1960s with such hits as "Think of Me," "Tiger By the Tail" and "Together Again." And of course, the "Streets of Bakersfield."

Our newspaper, and probably yours too, though, reduced his career to just one credit: BUCK OWENS, STAR OF 'HEE HAW,' DIES.  I'm sorry, but even though I spent countless hours watching that show as a kid, and even though I am supposed to have an occupational preference for the TV business over the music industry, I think that's a travesty. Television made Buck Owens rich and it certainly added to his fame. But the music made this man, and that's how I'll remember him.

Update: That's how the Post's Richard Harrington remembers him, too.

Comments

[tom mayo]

I was moving to CA in '98, and I was hanging out with my bro before I left, and the box-set of Buck Owens was on sale at Schuler's Books, so...

I stuck it in my CD changer, and the dog & I listened to that stuff for 3 solid days & nights as we drove out I-80 to Sacramento.

Very sad news today, but very fond memories.

So long Buck, tell Don Rich we said 'Hi.'

-tom

[MANNY GUTIERREZ]

I`LL REMEMBER MR. OWENS AS A GIANT LEGEND OF COUNTRY MUSIC AMUNGST THE STARS , WHO TOOK TIME OFF HIS HEAVY SCHEDULE JUST TO AUTOGRAPH MY COWBOY GUITAR. THANK YOU BUCK FOR THE PRECIOUS MEMORIES . MANNY GUTIERREZ BAKER CITY OR USA

[Buddy Davis]

I think it is sad that a performer of Buck Owens' stature has been reduced in the eyes of the American public as "the man with the red, white, and blue guitar" and the "former star of Hee Haw." Though his hosting of that landmark television show elevated both himself and country music to new heights in general, it was hardly what the man was all about.

Buck Owens was a serious musician who had a style and a talent the world will never see again. It is sad that the public remembers him as a "flashy cowboy singer." Such are the platitudes of an ill-informed media whose writers may have only the dimmest recollection of who this "hillbilly clown" really was. Do today's young media even know who he really was?

Buck Owens quit school with only a ninth grade education so he could help provide for his family. Yet he began playing the mandolin at age 13 and totally taught himself to play. He eventually moved on to play guitar, steel guitar, piano, bass, drums, and other instruments. The man was a virtuoso and a musical genius. With the solid sound of his band, Don Rich and The Buckaroos, Buck forged a whole new style of music unheard of neither before nor since. Yet the high visibility he gained with Hee Haw diminished him to an overexposed star whose record sales were severely hurt by this popularity. Hee Haw helped to trivialize a man who created an entire genre of music.

Buck never had any formal business training. Yet he was an astute businessmen, owning radio stations, real estate, a recording studio, publishing company, and his own Crystal Palace showplace--which includes a museum, restaurant, and gift shop. He retired from the road and let the fans come to him there in Bakersfield at his nightclub. Buck became a multi-millionaire and ended up in the Country Music Hall of Fame. He toured all over Europe, Asia, and Africa--the first country artist to ever play China in 1974. In Australia, some young women stormed the stage to take off Buck's shirt as a souvenir, leaving him to finish the show shirtless!

A man could do a whole lot worse than Buck Owens did. He went further in life than many who have higher educations and business degrees.

Buck was my childhood hero. He was a clean-living teetotaler and I wanted to be just like him. I bought every album he ever made and my heart still beats to his music. To me, Buck Owens was all about music, not some cornball TV show that destroyed his image and trivialized him forever in the minds of the public. Buck Owens was a country legend who shone brighter than anyone I can think of. He was innovative, creative, colorful, and his music had drive and pizzazz.

I will miss him dearly. I loved the man as my musical hero--and I am only 47. When he passed away, I felt as if a family member had died--even though I never had the chance to meet him. It breaks my heart--I cringe--to imagine a pair of hypothetical teenagers discussing him today.

"Who's Buck Owens?"

"Oh, some hillbilly clown who was on Hee Haw and played a red, white, and blue guitar."

Puh-leeze, people. Buck Owens was bigger than anyone can begin to fathom. It is my hope that in the wake of his death people will learn the real truth about a true musical legend and his vast legacy to the current generation. Buck's death is a devastating loss to the worldwide music scene.

A cowboy singer? A clown?

Buck Owens was a music industry unto himself. He will be sorely, sorely missed. Especially by those who knew who he really was.

A musical genius and an American icon.

[wolf spencer]

great singer will miss him greatly. from niagara falls ontario canada

[Scott Bullee]

I completely agree with the words written above. Buck Owens was a music icon and that's how I will remember him. I'm also 47 years old and my favorite country music is the Bakersfield Sound created by Buck Owens. I'll always remember listening to Buck Owens when I was a kid in the 60's. To watch Buck Owens and Don Rich preform together playing telecasters with the amazing guitar sounds and harmony vocals was magical. I caught Dwight Yoakam in concert in Winnipeg and was blown away by how good he and his band are...it's great that the BAKERSFIELD Sound lives on...

[George Tuccaro]

As a former radio broadcaster in Canada. I will miss the richness of his voice and the many good music memories that he left behind.

There are but only a few people who are made to sing their hearts out and be remembered forever. Buck Owens was one of them. So long to a friend you never knew Buck, we'll miss you dearly. George Tuccaro in Yellowknife, Northern Canada.

[Jerry Gerth]

As a child I listened to bluegrass music because that was all I could get on my crystal set. I enjoyed it but moved on to rock and roll in the mid 50's. As a young adult I used to clean up an American Legion Hall every week. They had a sound system and a couple Buck Owens Albums. I immediately became a fan and still am. Also enjoyed all the years you were on Hee Haw.

[CapitalCat]

I notice the media didn't make the same mistake when former Travelling Wilbury George Harrison died.

[James]

The "Heaven All-Stars" just picked up one hell of a class act. Pick on Buck, and RIP

[Jeff Muller]

When I was a kid, I had the privilege of seeing Buck & The Buckaroos perform a couple of times at the old Capitol Theatre in Madison, WI. This was at the height of their popularity in the mid '60s and the shows were amazing. They were doing some schtick at one point where the punchline was Buck pointing into the audience and referencing the large nose on "that guy". He had pointed pretty much at us so for the rest of my Grandad's life, we all teased him about having such a big nose that Buck Owens noticed it from the stage. Grandad loved it (and he did have quite a large schnozz)! So in addition to remembering and loving Buck's music, I also recall those wonderfully entertaining shows and the impact they had on our family.

Thanks, Buck, for all the incredible music you gave us. I'd love to be a fly on that eternal wall when you and Don Rich reunite and jam again.

[mike marshall]

I just love to set around, drink a beer or 2 and listen to Buck. I was able to see him in person only once. He was so kind to his audience. I came away from his concert thinking, "Now there is a guy who doesn't need the money." "He just loves to play the music."

He was and will be one of my favorite performers of the "Bakersfield Sound." What ever that is?

I am going to miss Buck.

[Clyde Williams]

I was working in broadcasting in Vietnam in 1966-67 and contacted Buck Owens for a few of his albums to play on the air. I think Buck must have sent me 500 albums of his and all the artist recording at Capital and Columbia. I will never forget Him. Thank you Buck and may God Bless You.

[Ronny Larsen]

The passing of Buck Owens brought us to an end of an era.His inavative "Bakersfield Sound" will live on forever through his recordings and countless television appearances.As a musician myself,I am one of the countless performers who consider Buck Owens as a major influence in my music.I brought his music to a new generation of people through karaoke in Chicago.Young and old all appreciated the music of Buck Owens.Rest in peace.You will be missed.

[Jamie Word]

I can remember watching Buck on the Buck Owens Ranch Show and listening to LP's when I was little. I love to share these DVD's and even our old LP's with my 14 year old.
She cried when we told of her Bucks passing.
She sure did want to make it to Bakersfield this summer. Sorry we miss ya Buck.
Jamie and Kati

[larry]

hi, buck owens was good. he had A FRIEND NAME TONY BOOTHHE Was good to. we miss you. hope you can bring the dvd buck owens ranch show, so we can see the gang. thanks

[larry]

hi, buck owens was good. he had A FRIEND NAME TONY BOOTHHE Was good to. we miss you. hope you can bring the dvd buck owens ranch show, so we can see the gang. thanks

[Dan Pennington]

Hello all! Buck was a force that will be missed. What a talent. I got to know Buck over the years. What a wonderful man. I have many personal photos of him when he was 10 through his teenage years. Are there other collectors out there who miss him as well? danielpennington at grandecom dot net ..I would love to hear from other fans. Rest in Peace Buck. Dan