|
Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZBUCHANAN, Roy(b 23 Sep. '39, Ozark TN; d 14 Aug. '88) US guitarist. Son of Pentecostal preacher; grew up on West Coast. On the road three years in his teens with Dale Hawkins; cut solo singles, retired to session work early 60s, playing for Freddy Cannon, Leiber and Stoller etc. Infl. by both black and white sources, yet established distinctive style; like James Burton, Steve Cropper identified with Fender Telecaster instrument. Once slashed speakers to get fuzztone in '50s, later relied on harmonics: 'One note can be as effective as dozens.' Greater fame early '70s when TV special Best Unknown Guitarist In The World was screened USA; voted best new guitarist by Guitar Player readers '72 before debut solo LP Roy Buchanan '72 on Polydor. Early gospel influence revealed on 'Thank You Lord' from Second Album '73 (single 'Sweet Dreams' made no. 40 UK '73). Subsequent LPs incl. That's What I Am Here For and In The Beginning '74, Rescue Me '75, A Street Called Straight '76, Loading Zone '77, You're Not Alone '78; most made US album charts (the last three on Atlantic) established him as master of many styles. The Rolling Stones allegedly offered Brian Jones's place, but his personality would have made him a reluctant axe hero; Robbie Robertson called him 'the finest rock guitarist I ever heard'. Records stopped for a while; he gigged widely; then My Babe '81 on Waterhouse, When A Guitar Plays The Blues '85 and Dancing On The Edge '86 on Alligator, the latter especially highly praised, with vocalist Delbert McClinton. Buchanan hanged himself in a jail cell in Fairfax VA after being arrested for drunkenness. |