Buck Owens was one of the most influential figures in country music, best known for pioneering the “Bakersfield Sound.” This distinct, twangy style of country music emerged as a response to the more polished Nashville sound of the 1950s and 1960s. Owens’ contributions as a singer, songwriter, and bandleader made him a legend in the industry. His career spanned multiple decades, with hits that continue to influence country artists today.
Buck Owens Bio
Alvis Edgar “Buck” Owens Jr. was born on August 12, 1929, in Sherman, Texas. His family struggled during the Great Depression and eventually moved to Mesa, Arizona, in search of better opportunities. Buck, a self-taught musician, learned to play multiple instruments, including the guitar and mandolin.
At the age of 16, he dropped out of school and began working as a truck driver. It was during these travels that he passed through Bakersfield, California, a city that would later become the heart of his music career. In 1951, Owens and his first wife, Bonnie Campbell, moved to Bakersfield permanently.
Family Life
During his tenure driving trucks, Owens feel in love with the natural beauty of Bakersfield California, and decided to settle his family. At the young age of 19, he married his wife, Bonnie Campbell. Just two years later, Owens and his wife were raising two sons. Unfortunately, the couple divorced after only a few years of marriage. Owens married three more times throughout his career. Sadly, he parted ways with all of them. Buck Owens had another son with his second wife. Today, all three of his children are still alive.
Alvis Edgar Owens to Buck Owens
Although there are many suspected reasons for his name change, two stick out. First, his father’s name was Alvis Edgar Owens. The other story is that as a child his family had a pet donkey named Buck. One day, he walked in and claimed his name was also Buck. The name stuck, and today the whole world remembers Alvis Edgar Owens jr. as Buck Owens.
Musical Beginnings
From 1951-1960, Buck Owens was trying to get a feel of the music industry. His career took awhile to take off, but that didn’t stop him. During this time period, the nation was in love with the countrypolitan sound of artists such as Patsy Cline. However, Mr. Buck Owens continued using his honky tonk hillbilly sound. His reward? In 1960, Billboard named Buck Owens the Most Promising Country and Western Singer.
Buck Owens Career
On March 11, 1963, Buck Owens and his band, the Buckaroos, began their rise to stardom with the release of their single “Act Naturally.” Just two years later, Ringo Starr was the lead singer of the Beatles’ cover of “Act Naturally.” In 1966, the Buckaroos released their album Carnegie Hall Concert. Later that year, Ray Charles, from the R&B genre, covered two of Buck Owens’ singles. In 1967, the Buckaroos recorded an album during their tour in Japan. The album was one of the first Country music albums recorded outside the United States. Despite personnel change, the Buckaroos success continued for several years, with many songs reaching the number 1 spot on charts. The band was largely contributed with creating music known as the Bakersfield sound. However, Owens’ best friend died in 1974, bringing the Buckaroos career to a screeching halt. In 1988, Owens teamed up with another Country music star, Dwight Yoakam. to produce a hit single titled “Streets of Bakersfield.”
“Hee Haw” and Television Stardom
In 1969, Buck Owens became a household name when he joined Roy Clark as the co-host of the country variety show “Hee Haw.” The show featured comedy sketches, musical performances, and corny jokes, making it a beloved staple of American television.
Interesting Facts About Buck Owens
- Nickname Origin: He got the nickname “Buck” from a donkey his family owned when he was a child.
- The Buckaroos’ Influence: His band, The Buckaroos, was one of the first country bands to receive international recognition. Their tight, high-energy sound helped shape the Bakersfield Sound.
- A Beatles Connection: The Beatles recorded a cover of Owens’ song “Act Naturally” in 1965 with Ringo Starr on lead vocals. This introduced Owens’ music to a global audience.
- He Owned Several Radio Stations: Owens was a businessman as well, owning several radio stations, including KNIX in Phoenix, Arizona, and KUZZ in Bakersfield.
- Loyal to His Roots: Despite his national fame, Owens never moved to Nashville, preferring to stay in Bakersfield and maintain his independent sound.
- “Streets of Bakersfield” Revival: His duet with Dwight Yoakam in 1988 revitalized his career, proving his music had lasting influence.
- Refused to Join the Grand Ole Opry: Owens respected the Opry but didn’t like its rules requiring artists to perform frequently in Nashville.
- Hee Haw Regrets: Owens admitted later in life that he stayed on “Hee Haw” longer than he wanted to, feeling it hurt his credibility as a serious artist.
- Crystal Palace: Owens built Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace in Bakersfield, a live music venue and museum dedicated to the Bakersfield Sound.
- Final Performance: On the night before he passed away, Owens performed at his Crystal Palace despite feeling unwell, showing his dedication to his fans until the very end.
Buck Owens Death
On March 25, 2006, Buck Owens passed away in his sleep from a heart attack. The Country music star is appropriately buried in Bakersfield, California.
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