In Memory of Buck Owens

"I’d like just 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." —Buck Owens

I never met Buck Owens, but when I heard that he had died this past weekend, I dusted off his legendary Carnegie Hall Concert album and dropped it on the turntable.

That black-vinyl disc turned back time 40 years. Once again I could hear Buck's unique sound and instantly identifiable voice. No doubt he wrote top-notch drinking songs, but they didn't leave you crying in your beer. There was too much energy in his music. The lyrics, in a moment's time, could take you to the edge of despair and sadness, but then he and his band, The Buckaroos, would pick you back up with their inspired Bakersfield twang.

From Buck's onstage rhinestone outfits to his red, white and blue guitar, he always did it his way, acting naturally. He was a true American original, and we're all the beneficiaries of his gifts and talent.

Country legend Buck Owens—the architect of the "Bakersfield sound"—died Saturday at age 76. Owens first #1 single and most famous song, "Act Naturally," was covered by The Beatles for their 1965 film Help! and its accompanying soundtrack. During the '60s, the honky-tonk star went on to score 15 consecutive #1 hits. Toward the decade's end, Owens became the host of popular TV comedy show Hee Haw. Even today, his influence continues to be vast; his music is an important template for artists like Dwight Yoakam, Junior Brown, and many other modern country and alt.country artists.

Got news tips for Paste? Email news@pastemagazine.com.