Country Legends: Buck Owens

Alvis Edgar Owens, Jr. (August 12, 1929 – March 25, 2006), known to everyone as Buck Owens, was a founder of what became ‘The Bakersfield Sound’, and with his band the Buckeroos had 21 number one hits on the Billboard country music charts.

Buck Owens

His signature style was based on simple storylines, infectious choruses, a twangy electric guitar, an insistent rhythm supplied by a drum track placed forward in the mix, and high two-part harmonies featuring Owens and his guitarist Don Rich.

In the early 60’s, with the ‘Nashville Sound’ becoming ever more popular, Buck Owen and the Buckaroos decided to do their own thing and began mixing a honky-tonk hillbilly sound with a Mexican polka sound he’d heard on border radio stations as a kid. The ‘Bakersfield Sound’ was born.

Recorded in 1963, "Act Naturally" became Buck Owens and the Buckaroos' first No. 1 hit. The Beatles later recorded a cover of it in 1965, with Ringo Starr as lead singer. Ringo Starr later re-recorded the song as a duet with Owens in 1988.

The album ‘Carnegie Hall Concert’, released in 1966, was a smash hit and proved that Owens and his band were a lot more than just another honk-tonk country band. Ray Charles released cover versions of two Owens songs, also in 1966, ‘Crying Time’ and ‘Together Again’ that both became pop hits.

Owens’ musical career took a severe jolt in July ’74 when his best friend and Buckaroos guitarist Don Rich was killed in motorcycle accident. Although he carried on, he admitted in the late 1990’s that the death of his friend had a profound effect on him “He was like a brother, a son and a best friend…. but I think my music life ended when he did. Oh yeah, I carried on and I existed, but the real joy and love, the real lightning and thunder is gone forever."

Buck Owens died in his sleep of an apparent heart attack on March 25, 2006, only hours after having his favourite chicken-fried steak meal and performing at his Crystal Palace restaurant, club and museum in Bakersfield. Not feeling well, Owens had decided not to go on stage that night, but on hearing that some fans had travelled many miles to see him, he changed his mind.

Buckaroos keyboard player Jim Shaw recalled Owens telling the audience, "If somebody's come all that way, I'm gonna do the show and give it my best shot. I might groan and squeak, but I'll see what I can do."

Shaw added, "So, he had his favourite meal, played a show and died in his sleep. We thought, that's not too bad."

To find the music of Buck Owens and the Buckaroos just go to the search box on the right and enter his name or go to my website and look there by going to www.countrysongscountrysingers.com – the choice is yours!