Posted on 03/25/2006 10:58:12 AM PST by HAL9000
Country singer Buck Owens, who had a string of US hit records, has died at the age of 76.Owens, who notched 15 consecutive US country number ones in the mid-1960s, died at home in Los Angeles, his spokesman said.
Owens co-hosted US variety TV show Hee Haw from 1969 to 1986 and had hits with singles including I've Got a Tiger by the Tail and Love's Gonna Live Here.
The Beatles recorded a cover of his song Act Naturally in 1965.
Born in Texas, Owens moved to the Californian town of Bakersfield in 1951 and became associated with the electrified "Bakersfield sound" style.
Spokesman Jim Shaw, who played in Owens' band The Buckaroos, said the singer had "a raw edge".
"I think the reason he was so well known and respected by a younger generation of country musicians was because he was an innovator and rebel," he said.
Recording break
In 1992, Owens said: "I'd like to be remembered as a guy that came along and did his music, did his best and showed up on time, clean and ready to do the job, wrote a few songs and had a hell of a time."
After a decade-long break from recording, he released the duet Streets of Bakersfield with Dwight Yoakam in 1988.
Owens had surgery for throat cancer in 1993 and was hospitalised with pneumonia four years later.
His business interests included TV and radio stations.
My dad has always been a huge fan of Buck Owens. May he rest in peace.
WERE BACK BABY!!!
RIP Buck. Hee Haw!
I can't believe this story didn't mention "Hee Haw".
I saw that show a few times when I was little. May he rest in peace.
Well, it's a BBC piece. I'm not sure how many Brits would know what that is.
Shoot, outside of rural areas, most Americans don't know what Hee Haw is (was).
-PJ
Thanks, I didn't see it.
If ya need a nice ride when you get to Heaven Buck sure to call BR-549...
Rest in peace to Mr. Owens.
I wonder why he always wore his overalls backwards?
Salooot!!!!
RIP, Buck.
Cross your galluses in front or wear the overalls backwards and it prevents lightening strikes when working outdoors.
I am an old timer myself but when I was young I worked with some old timers who believed that. Most just crossed their galluses in front but I saw some wear them backwards.
Many only know Roy Clark from Hee Haw too. But any guitar player worth his salt, knows Roy Clark is one of the greatest guitarists ever.
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