Buck played the night he died. He had performed at his club in Bakersfield, The Crystal Palace, and he passed that night when he got home. I still have a copy of the Bakersfield Californian newspaper from the next day.
I’ve lived in California for all my life (57 years) and I just heard about the country genre called “Bakersfield Sound”. I don’t listen to country, but it’s interesting to learn about how a few artists in a small town successfully developed such a unique sound. I like the opening description of Bakersfield Sound as alternative country.
I couldn't stand Buck Owens when he first started singing....then he created the tune, 'Act Naturally' and I sorta changed my mind. In 2006, after my 1st wife and I, after 44 years together, divorced, I relocated an old college sweetheart, who was then living in Bakersfield, which is about 210 miles from where I lived and reestablished a relationship.....she died about ten years ago. Even though I still live in the Monterey Bay area, I routinely pass through Bakersfield on my way to Laughlin, NV.....my favorite gambling mecca. In fact, I currently have an invitation for a three nights free stay at my favorite casino and which I have until the end of the year to take advantage of so will again be passing through....and will tip my helmet to ole Buck as I ride through on my motorcycle.
Buck Owens was one of the most unique and creative artists in all of American music. Of course he is country, yet he very much a rocker and even folk rock master. I don't think there will be another artist like him in a great long time.
Missed opportunity to talk about a true great. Us guitar players know Don Rich was the man. Simple, classy lines but always played with a certain attitude. The joy in his face when he played next to Buck is plain to see.
I grew up on this music. My gramma owned property on Gulf St @ Pierce Rd (Buck Owens Blvd) near the Kern River. My mama remembered the people coming in droves to California living on the riverbanks. My gramma was a tiny German immigrant who never sent anyone away hungry even though she was feeding 3 generations of her own family. That is the Bakersfield sound. 💜💜💜
I was born in bellflower, my G-Grandpa owned Hill's Western wear, until his son Bob owned it in the 80's-90's. My G-Grandpa was also a mounted sheriff. He instilled in me my love for country, especially the Bakersfield sound.
There's an awful lot of that 'pre-stereo' music that can only be understood through a jangly AM radio station coming out of a single speaker on the dashboard of your car, driving with the windows down- at full volume, of course. I'm old enough to remember the changeover from that to FM stereo in quiet, air conditioned cars and homes.
This is great! I've lived in Bakersfield for almost 30 years now, and am from Texas. Great short documentary on the roots of The Bakersfield Sound. I wish it was longer!
I'm not meaning to be hateful or negative, but what happened to Buck's face in those last years? Was that damage from a stoke? I loved Buck Owens and Don Rich. Don should have been given props for helping that sound become so well rounded.
It is very odd that far left California spawned a country sound but I do understand the fact that people moved during The depression there. I read and saw the film Grapes Of Wrath. Times were a bit different.
It's not that odd. By land, most of California is agrarian and votes Republican. It's the cities on the coast with all the people that most folks think about when they think about California.
California is a big state, and in the center, is farmland. This part of the state is different from the rest. Much different. Many of the original citizens were immigrants of the Bible Belt. California used to be the land of milk and honey. Now crime and taxes. And I witnessed it all. Almost 50 years in the "Golden State".
you're thinking of a different part of California. the leftists live along the coast and in the capitol. the rest of us want nothing to do with those people.
