Roy Buchanan
Born: September 23, 1939 - Died: August 14, 1988
R.I.P.
Leroy Buchanan was born in Ozark, Arkansas, and was raised there and in Pixley, California, a farming area near Bakersfield. His father was a sharecropper in Arkansas and a farm laborer in California. Buchanan told interviewers that his father was also a Pentecostal preacher, a note repeated in Guitar Player magazine but disputed by his older brother J.D. Buchanan told how his first musical memories were of racially mixed revival meetings he attended with his mother, Minnie. "Gospel," he recalled, "that's how I first got into black music." He in fact drew upon many disparate influences while learning to play the guitar (though he later claimed his aptitude derived from being "half-wolf"). He initially showed talent on steel guitar before switching to guitar in the early 50s, and started his professional career at age 15, in Johnny Otis's rhythm and blues revue.
According to his agent and others, Buchanan was doing well, having gained control of his drinking habit and playing again, when he was arrested for public intoxication after a domestic dispute. He was found hanged from his own shirt in a jail cell on August 14, 1988, in the Fairfax County, Virginia, Jail. According to Thomas Hartman, who was in a cell near Buchanan's, the deputy sheriff opened the door early in the morning and found Buchanan with the shirt around his neck. His cause of death was officially recorded as suicide, a finding disputed by Buchanan's friends and family. One of his friends, Marc Fisher, reported seeing Roy's body with bruises on the head.
After his death, compilation and other albums continue to be released, including in 2004 the never-released first album he recorded for Polydor, The Prophet.
1974 - Live At Town Hall
1992 - Sweet Dreams_ The Anthology
12 comments:
Thanx Ozzie,a few here i didnt have.
Was Blown Away The First Time I Heard Sweet Dreams,Been A Fan Ever Since.
Cheers
Tel
Hi Tel,
I too have been a fan for MANY years.
Regards
Ozzieguy
Wonderful collection! Thanks for sharing1
Hello Cri,
Thank you, hope that you enjoy.
Just checking in.. and admirably noting you have the largest collection of Roy Buchanan of anyone I know. Around 1973, there was a fellow I worked with (now gone) that tried his darndest on many occasions to get me to listen to the music of an incredible guitarist he discovered. It was just his way, but he was relentless in his obsession to convince me. So, it took me a good while, but I remembered that, and humbly admit he was well-founded in his enthusiasm. Thank you Ozzieguy.. for the opportunity to appreciate the skillful sounds of this overlooked legend!
Thank you for your message my friend and am glad that you can listen to a great guitarist.
Roy once and forever!
Yes I agree, he was brilliant.
Roy Buchanan, the great unknown. Great post. Thank you so much!!
J
Yes the great unknown but brilliant.
You are very welcome Glassfinger
Descubrà este guitarrista hace 3dias gracias por compartir esta belleza de música saludos desde Michoacán Mexico
Muito obrigado por esta obra maravilhosa.Pena que tantos não conhecem o trabalho deste musico magnifico.abraços
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