Roy Buchanan's (September 23, 1939 - August 14, 1988) musical career began … Read Full Bio ↴Roy Buchanan's (September 23, 1939 - August 14, 1988) musical career began in Pixley, California. His father was a sharecropper (not a Pentecostal preacher as Buchanan himself had claimed). Buchanan told how his first musical memories were of racially-mixed revival meetings his family would attend. "Gospel," he recalled, "that's how I first got into black music". He in fact drew upon many disparate influences while learning to play his instrument (although he later claimed his aptitude was derived from being "half-wolf"). He initially showed talent on the steel guitar before switching to the standard instrument in the early 50's.
In 1957, Buchanan made his recording debut, playing the solo on Dale Hawkins' "My Babe" for Chicago's Chess Records. Three years later, Buchanan headed north to Canada, where he took charge of the guitar role in Ronnie Hawkins' band (a group later to gain fame as The Band). The group's guitar player, Robbie Robertson, studied guitar under Buchanan, and took over the lead guitar spot when Buchanan left the group.
The early 60's found Buchanan performing numerous gigs as a sideman with multiple rock bands, and cutting a number of sessions as guitarist with musicians such as Freddy Cannon and Merle Kilgore.
Buchanan's 1962 recording with drummer Bobby Gregg, "Potato Peeler", first introduced the trademark Buchanan pinch harmonics. An effort to cash in on the British Invasion caught Buchanan with The British Walkers. In the mid-'60's, Buchanan settled down in the Washington, DC area, playing as a sideman before starting his own groups. One of these groups was called The Snakestretchers, an allusion to Buchanan's disdain for the vagaries of the band experience. The Snakestretchers became a semi-permanent combo for Buchanan starting in this period, with whom he made his first acclaimed recording as a front man, Roy Buchanan & the Snakestretchers. Danny Gatton was another respected Telecaster master who lived in Washington, D.C. at that time. Both musicians gained reputations as under-appreciated guitarists.
In 1971, riding on word-of-mouth reputation that included praise from John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Merle Haggard, and an alleged invitation to join the Rolling Stones, Buchanan gained national notoriety as the result of an hour-long Public broadcasting television documentary. Entitled "The Best Unknown Guitarist In The World", the show rejuvenated a contract with Polydor and began a decade of national and international touring. He recorded five albums for Polydor (one went gold) and three for Atlantic Records (one gold), while playing most major rock concert halls and festivals. Finally, Buchanan quit recording in 1981, vowing never to enter a studio again unless he could record his own music his own way.
Four years later, Buchanan was coaxed back into the studio by Alligator Records. His first album for Alligator, When a Guitar Plays The Blues, was released in the spring of 1985. It was the first time he was given total artistic freedom in the studio. It was also his first true blues album. Fans quickly responded, and the album entered Billboard's pop charts and remained on the charts for 13 weeks. Music critics, as well as fans, applauded Roy's efforts with favorable reviews.
His second Alligator LP, Dancing on the Edge, was released in the fall of 1986. The album, featuring three songs with special guest, rock'n'soul vocalist Delbert McClinton, won the College Media Journal Award for Best Blues Album of 1986.
He released the twelfth LP of his career and his third for Alligator, Hot Wires, in 1987. In addition to Donald Kinsey (formerly with Albert King and Bob Marley), keyboardist Stan Szelest, and Larry Exum (bass) and Morris Jennings (drums), this album includes guest vocals by veteran soul singer Johnny Sayles and blues singer Kanika Kress.
Buchanan died August 14, 1988 in the Fairfax County, Virginia jail while being held after an arrest for public drunkeness. His death was ruled a suicide, although that finding has been disputed by friends and family.
In 1957, Buchanan made his recording debut, playing the solo on Dale Hawkins' "My Babe" for Chicago's Chess Records. Three years later, Buchanan headed north to Canada, where he took charge of the guitar role in Ronnie Hawkins' band (a group later to gain fame as The Band). The group's guitar player, Robbie Robertson, studied guitar under Buchanan, and took over the lead guitar spot when Buchanan left the group.
The early 60's found Buchanan performing numerous gigs as a sideman with multiple rock bands, and cutting a number of sessions as guitarist with musicians such as Freddy Cannon and Merle Kilgore.
Buchanan's 1962 recording with drummer Bobby Gregg, "Potato Peeler", first introduced the trademark Buchanan pinch harmonics. An effort to cash in on the British Invasion caught Buchanan with The British Walkers. In the mid-'60's, Buchanan settled down in the Washington, DC area, playing as a sideman before starting his own groups. One of these groups was called The Snakestretchers, an allusion to Buchanan's disdain for the vagaries of the band experience. The Snakestretchers became a semi-permanent combo for Buchanan starting in this period, with whom he made his first acclaimed recording as a front man, Roy Buchanan & the Snakestretchers. Danny Gatton was another respected Telecaster master who lived in Washington, D.C. at that time. Both musicians gained reputations as under-appreciated guitarists.
In 1971, riding on word-of-mouth reputation that included praise from John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Merle Haggard, and an alleged invitation to join the Rolling Stones, Buchanan gained national notoriety as the result of an hour-long Public broadcasting television documentary. Entitled "The Best Unknown Guitarist In The World", the show rejuvenated a contract with Polydor and began a decade of national and international touring. He recorded five albums for Polydor (one went gold) and three for Atlantic Records (one gold), while playing most major rock concert halls and festivals. Finally, Buchanan quit recording in 1981, vowing never to enter a studio again unless he could record his own music his own way.
Four years later, Buchanan was coaxed back into the studio by Alligator Records. His first album for Alligator, When a Guitar Plays The Blues, was released in the spring of 1985. It was the first time he was given total artistic freedom in the studio. It was also his first true blues album. Fans quickly responded, and the album entered Billboard's pop charts and remained on the charts for 13 weeks. Music critics, as well as fans, applauded Roy's efforts with favorable reviews.
His second Alligator LP, Dancing on the Edge, was released in the fall of 1986. The album, featuring three songs with special guest, rock'n'soul vocalist Delbert McClinton, won the College Media Journal Award for Best Blues Album of 1986.
He released the twelfth LP of his career and his third for Alligator, Hot Wires, in 1987. In addition to Donald Kinsey (formerly with Albert King and Bob Marley), keyboardist Stan Szelest, and Larry Exum (bass) and Morris Jennings (drums), this album includes guest vocals by veteran soul singer Johnny Sayles and blues singer Kanika Kress.
Buchanan died August 14, 1988 in the Fairfax County, Virginia jail while being held after an arrest for public drunkeness. His death was ruled a suicide, although that finding has been disputed by friends and family.
Dual Soliloquy
Roy Buchanan Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Roy Buchanan:
16. Sweet Dreams Sweet dreams of you Every night I go through Why can't I…
25 Miles Hey hey uh huh huh huh huh oh Uh huh…
A Nickel and a Nail Oh, I once had love And plenty of money, hmmm But some…
After Hours All the gang has gone home Standing on the corner All alon…
Baby Baby Baby لا هادي ولا هاديك ولا وحدة مني تديك غير انسى انا ماشي لعبة…
Black Autumn Subways stumbling through the night Flashing rows of neon l…
blues guitar solo You know, you get the strangest feelin' Yeah, when a guitar…
Can I Change My Mind She didn't bat an eye, as I packed my bags…
Caruso I was goin' across Oklahoma, When i thought I'd fall…
Down By The River Down by the river Be on my side, I'll be on your…
Five String Blues Oh, Jesus This is my final plea Yes, Jesus This is my fin…
Further On Up The Road By Mary McCreary I've been working so hard, Just came home …
Get Out of My Life Woman You don't love me no more Get out my life woman You…
Good God Have Mercy Down in South Carolina in the piny woods Where they make…
Haunted House I just moved in my new house today Moving was hard…
Hey Joe Hey Joe, where you goin' with that gun of your…
Home Is Where I Lost Her When it's early in the morning That's the time That's the …
I Am A Lonesome Fugitive I'd like to settle down but they won't let me A…
i desire you You went away and left me long time ago And now…
I Still Think About Ida Mae Well I smoke my cigarettes Set my Schlitz cans along the…
I'm Evil Well, if you're looking for trouble You dun' come to the…
My Baby Says She's Gonna Leave Me My Baby Says She's Gonna Leave Me My Baby Says She's…
My Baby Says She’s Gonna Leave Me Well she took my clothes And threw 'em out the door Told…
Please Don Please don't turn me away, please let me stay I'm askin'…
Rodney's Song Well she walked into the bar And she looked dead at…
Roy's Bluz (Yeah make me feel so good I think my nose…
Roy's Bluz (Live) Yeah, My soul laid down last friday Yeah, But it rose…
Roy’s Bluz (Yeah make me feel so good I think my nose…
Shotgun I said shotgun shoot 'em 'fore he run now do…
Sign On The Window Sign on the window says "Lonely" Sign on the door says…
Slow Down Come on pretty baby, won't you walk with me? Come on,…
Sweet Dream Sweet dreams of you Every night I go through Why can't I…
Thank You Lord Thank you, Lord, saw your sun shine today Bless you, Lord,…
That Did It When we first met, baby You said it was me and…
The Messiah Will Come Again [guitar intro] There was a town Strange, lonely little town…
The Story Of Isaac Well, the door it opened slowly, My father he came in, I…
These Arms of Mine These arms of mine They are lonely Lonely and feeling blue T…
Treat Her Right I'm wanna tell you a story That every man oughta know If…
Voices Poeple talk about life People talk about work They talk ab…
When a Guitar Plays the Blues You know, you get the strangest feelin' Yeah, when a guitar…
You Thank you Lord, saw your sun shine today. Bless you…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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TallDarkYummy
Roy was a country boy. Grew up in poverty, if I’m not mistaken. He must have worked like a dog to outdo the sixties cultural icons like Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page. To perfect and hone his craft.
Poverty marks you. Leaves you unable to psychologically escape it.
He was a shy country boy who got everything and more out of his chosen profession.
It wasn’t enough. He couldn’t escape his upbringing and his nature.
So sad.
His music is his legacy. And it’s so beautiful. So human.
jtube7111
"Whatever you want - you got a half hour of tape in front of you...."
Even though his story (and this piece) is dark and somewhat haunting; I'm lifted when I listen to this .... I love the ebbs, the flows and the improvisation of just playing what he feels.
What a great player.
TallDarkYummy
Roy was a country boy. Grew up in poverty, if I’m not mistaken. He must have worked like a dog to outdo the sixties cultural icons like Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page. To perfect and hone his craft.
Poverty marks you. Leaves you unable to psychologically escape it.
He was a shy country boy who got everything and more out of his chosen profession.
It wasn’t enough. He couldn’t escape his upbringing and his nature.
So sad.
His music is his legacy. And it’s so beautiful. So human.
david ranger
Being A Preacher's Son, Roy Dealt With Life With His Music, He Knew What Was What, Just Wouldn't Reveal Himself... Did He Play for Redemption? Who's too Say
RIP Brother... 💕✌😎
Kizzy's Healing Praktijk
Thank you, he was so free minded. Ahead of his this, even in this time. Masterpeace!
Michael Adrian
Roy's playing here shows a great range
From Sweet Dreams and Peter Gun to Dual Soliloquy
electromagneticfrequency
its dark. ? im going back into investigate. 1st 5 seconds on "youre not alone" is more along those lines. always serious and deliberate very serious. This isnt an argument just my thoughts. Maybe you never heard this one? Best-electro
Sophia Pde
This just brings me to tears..Love you always Roy Buchanan.
Kevin goodson
To me, a certain melancholic vibe here and fighting to get out of it. A true musical master.
Mike S
Its like sitting on the back deck .... cold beer ... roy .. his guit and his friends/family ... roy having fun .... pbs 1971 .... such a beautiful sound ... it went by to fast ... purity and power ... we miss you roy ... this is you at your simple best .... but you were never simple ..
Stefan Schleps
Greatest guitar player I have ever seen. And I've seen a hundred if I've seen one.
Thank you for sharing. Peace and blessings.