I saw Roy Buchanan playing in a bar in 88 in Perth Western Australia... a short time later i heard he had passed away. So glad i had the opportunity to see him play
I first saw Roy on the BBC programme 'Old Grey Whistle Test' and I immediately bought the 45 that was released in the UK to coincide with his appearance at that time - 'Sweet Dreams'. A gigging guitar player since the 1970s, I've enjoyed and been influenced by many fine players over the years - Richie Blackmore, Jan Akkerman, George Benson, Larry Carlton, Brent Mason and Jeff Beck among many, but I seem always to come back to Roy. Roy has a magic all his own. He probably didn't 'belong' in this world, but during his stay he left a unique impression that spans the ages. Thanks for this wonderful documentary, I've enjoyed each of the four, but I just wish it had a happier ending and Roy never left us in the manner he did. The only way to deal with the feeling of sadness is to listen to his body of work, and to keep on practicing my instrument. Thanks, Roy.
What a great documentary. Sometimes artists who are ahead of their time never find mainstream and broad reaching success, despite their immense talent. Roy was definitely already if his time. He should be highly ranked among the greatest guitarists of all time, yet he didn’t make Rolling Stone Magazine’s top 100 which is inconceivable. RIP Roy.
I used to play drums for Joe Bayliss. He played keyboards for Don Sylvia's band, The Monkey Men. Don was Tiny Tim's manager. Joe B. played with Danny Denver and Roy at the Stardust Lounge in Waldorf, Md.. Roy new my older brother Phil, who was also a Telecaster player. I saw Roy play in The British Walkers. They had a big hit with a re-make of "The Girl Can't Help It". I was 6 years old. My brother's band found themselves playing a lot of those local shows with them back then. School cafeteria's, Church halls and DC dives. He was always amazing to see, even back in the early 1960's. It was really something when his career sky rocketed like it did. Well deserved. There were many great characters in the D.C. scene back then. Marvin RainWater, Link Wray, Danny Denver, Ronnie Dove, Danny Gatton, Etc. This documentary goes right with what Joe Bayliss told me many times through my years of playing in his band. R.I.P. Roy and Joe Bayliss.
I saw Roy at a club called the Caberett in San Jose California in 1988, around a month before his passing. It's 2022 and I remember it like it was last Tuesday. He blistered the paint off the walls in the place that night....
I saw him at that cowboy bar on Race Street and much earlier at the San Jose Civic with, l believe, The Ramones and Mink Deville. Wow. He was riding on Sweet Dreams at that juncture and headlined IIRC.
Thank you for this documentary. His music has always touched me to the bone- and then some- ever since I first heard him on the radio as a young teenager in 1974. What I heard really blew me away. I really related to his sound and feeling. RIP dear one. Thank you.
As a 14 y/o kid, I saw that WNET special and became an instant fan. However many months later, wrangled tickets to see his NYC solo debut concert at Carnegie Hall and was mesmerized. Of course that audience was there to hear him *play*, so no rowdy histrionics from the crowd, just appreciation for what the man could do w/ that Tele. Next time I saw him - maybe just a year later? - was at the newly dubbed Village East: the theatre that had been the Fillmore, under new owners/mgmt. Such a different vibe, mainly rock n' roll heads hollerin' over every solo.. the magic of that 1st show was an elusive thing to capture again. The LPs didn't capture the magic either, and my interest waned, but never my admiration of the talent. Went through a similar ride of highs and lows discovering, seeing, then lamenting the arc of Danny Gatton, another wildly talented Tele player from the DC region: beautiful, strong, soaring playing, sad endings. Thanks for posting, it was a nice visit.
Roys music and playing comes straight from the soul and is an unadulterated pure raw spirit of emotion. It's no secret that the likes of some OF THE MOST FAMOUS GUITARISTS or the 70's and 80's were influenced by this guy. His music will live on. Long live the great Roy Buchanan. .. much love, respect and appreciation for the opportunity of being introduced musically to this very original and amazing talent.
I saw him three times in the 80s and felt that surge of mystical energy he transmitted via the crystal notes, but also his presence and eyes expressed a force that were like a leopard prowling the stage full of absolute confidence and a wild defiance. I said to myself- he knows he is the best. Thank you for sharing this great tribute with these RUclips clips!
I played with Carey with Johnny being the road manager.. We did the final California Tour in 1988. I was subbing for Vince Santoro , his usual drummer.
Thanks to all involved with putting this together. What a great player and what a great loss. Roy's music has been a part of my life since the mid 70's. He was truly an original one of a kind. R.I.P Roy you are truly missed.
Roy Buchannan's music touched many people, people with the highest discerning musical awareness and taste. This is an imaginative, well researched and fitting tribute to the great guitarist and man, one of the best. Our hearts goes out to all those who loved him, thank you for putting this together for us.
Watched all 4 part's and believe it was done very well. A+ I got a lot out of it. I remember when this happened as I lived about 5 miles from his townhouse in Reston. Thanks again...
I was born in 1961 and grew up in the greatest era of music ever. Yet never heard of Roy until long after he was gone. I am making up for it now. The thing I find most frustrating is that his name almost never shows up in the greatest guitarists of all time conversations. This seems like a crime.
Just fantastic. What an artist. The recent death of Jeff Beck led me to this documentary. They had a lot in common. I miss them both. There is a hell of a jam session going on upstairs...
I loved Roy's sound,he was a real guitar slinger ,this guy did not mess around, he was so smooth,fast and clean,I would of liked to see him and johnny winters play together.REST IN PEACE ROY BUCHANAN,you touched my soul,thanks a lot.
Roy Buchanan is one of the most unique guitarists Ive heard and Ive heard quite a few. I think he was in a class of his own. I can hear his attitude in his playing. The only other guitarist like Roy, who played it his way and nobody elses was Jeff Beck. Apart from Beck I cant think of anyone else to compare him too and Im not happy to compare Roy with anybody but I do think Buchanan and Beck shared the lonely road of greatness. It's sad the way it ended for Roy. It's also mysterious. I love Roy Buchanan,s playing. Like I said he was in a class of his own when playing his guitars but not all guitarist,s become a commercial success like Eric Clapton but like I said, nobody else played like Roy Buchanan. RIP.
I love how older people say thank you for sharing. We take these kind of video for granted nowdays. accessability was the exact reason he is still on the fringe of underground.
Wow, what a great job. As a longtime fan I have really enjoyed listening to and watching this documentary. It provides us with a little better feel for Roy from the guys who were acquainted with him. Thanks for sharing it.
The memmorys of his death ... how all these people are so emotionally moved by his death ... its telling of who ROY was ... and what he was as a man .... thank you roy ... you moved me and still do ... and im 60 and still shed a tear when i listen to you .. the messiah will come again ... and he lives on in us who know ... the greatest unknown in the world .... thank you roy ... thank you roy ... roy rip and rock on ... ..... thanx ....
Well this time last week I only knew of his name. But only yesterday morning I came across a clip on a Stratocaster fanpage on Facebook (yeah yeah he played a Tele) but I am damn thsnkful to that poster as I have now been connected to Roy Buchanan and I am so very glad I am. And so as the guy states at the end of this fine documentary about he hopes that in maybe 20 years new people will find him and enjoy it all over again. Well I AM HERE. God bless the original Poster on Facebook.
I heard the opening track to You're Not Alone on the radio when it came out and went immediately to the record store to buy my first of many many Roy Buchanan albums. He moved me, still moves me. Spiritual!
I listened to this while on ketamine, what a strange evenimg it became. My friend that turned me on to Roy Buchanon., killed himself around 1977. I walked up to his house to get him and we were going to a company 4th July party/ picnic. When i knocked on his door, his roommate informed me he had shot himself in the head the night before. This was mid 1970s in Detroit. I was use to violence, and gunshots but this was my best friend dead at his own hand. This messed me up for years with a lot of alcohol and self medication. But listening to this on ketamine really brought it home. His friends voices catching in their throats as they relived those last moments was too real and brought it back. RIP Roy and Mark❤
You can't learn to play like Roy, it's impossible. The main lesson that comes across is to play from the heart. It's the only way Roy could play and we are fortunate that his heart was so soulful and his technique was brilliant enough to be able to express his innermost emotions. Thanks Roy.
Dear DCliberalarts, thanks very much for this 4-part documentary. I feel like you let us have a glimpse at a musical genius; a tortured genius, but a musical genius nonetheless. For most musicians to stay away from the damaging effects of booze and drugs, it's like a Lifeguard trying not to get sunburned, or wet, on the job.
As a guitarist myself, I've always tried to understand the Roy Buchanan thing. With such high recommendations, like another musician's musician, Jeff Beck, singing his praises, I've tried to figure it out. This finally explained it. Thank you.
With all due respect, if you're a guitarist, fingers on strings etc... why did it take so long?? I personally caught the sound within seconds of first hearing his telecaster. Welcome to the elite Roy Buchannan admirers club.
A great Musician once said to me how he could play the way he does. He told me "It's in my head so it's in my hands" he gave a recital and played a suite by De Visee on guitar. We joked and said it would sound amazing on piano since it was originally written for harpsichord. Like it was nothing he played the entire suite for us on piano right there on the spot, it was extremely moving. With Roy, the connection to his music seems to run deeper. I never saw him live, but from his live recordings he just seems to have a big big heart and that just comes through his very original sound. Truly an amazing artist. I really enjoyed this documentary on Mr. Buchanan. Oddly enough I saw a man about to pitch a huge stack of records, He asked me if I wanted them, they moved from the work truck to the basement 3 years ago, I recently hooked up a record player and looked through my old stack and that one that was about to be thrown away. Recently a customer and I were talking about music after the work was done and she raved about how for her and her Husband it has always been Roy Buchanan for their favorite. I found 4 of Roy's albums in that stack and have been listening to them ever since. The albums completely melt away the stresses of life and transport me to some awesome sonic place, it's like hanging on a cloud when Roy plays. Albums that make you cry are rare, Roy pulls it off every time with the first few swollen notes of "Sweet Dreams".
As I posted after Part 1...I met Roy in the mid 1960's at The Rabbit's Foot in upper Georgetown DC...he was backing up a DC duo, The Kaylin Twins. From the first song he played...the great instrumental 20/75...to the last song I heard him play many years later I felt he understood the connection between his soul, music, his guitar and the listener's soul and was able to make that connection time after time after time...I spoke with him numerous times at stage side and he was always kind, courteous and...interesting. A notable memory was how high his strings were on his guitar. That is the Roy Buchanan I knew. Larry Marseglia Reply ·
How fortunate you were to have seen him during the years you did because many of his closest fans say these were the peak years of Roy's career. Thanks for sharing your observations of Roy.
Of course it's a shocking thing and a big loss. Too many enormously talented people seem to suffer mentally. "Tortured" used to be a word that was used. It is very sad that it had to end this way and so prematurely too. I know at times I have wished that I had a really special gift for something. However, with the benefit of years it might be better not to be so blessed. RIP Roy Buchanan - I heard you and you did things for me. Thanks.
I agree. Danny was a great guitarist but to me Roy will always be the best Telecaster player ever (unless someone comes along and does better in the future...).
Why didn't the family call in a prominent pathologist to exam Roy and to review the report of the pathologist that did the autopsy. Unfortunately we will never know what really happened to the great Mr. Buchanan. Rest in peace Roy, we all love you.
Loved seeing this, thanks so much for all that went into it! My first Roy album was You're Not Alone. Never understood totally the bad rap around this record, Fly......Night Bird and the title track literally put tears in my eyes and continues to touch me to this day. I can remember standing outside high school after functions looking at the night sky and playing those songs in my head in the late 70s. Soundtrack songs to my life. Shocking to find that those recordings were not him at his best when they move me to my core the way they do. That says something about the depth of this man's guitar playing even when not in his supposed element.
just watched the whole thing. interesting that i did not hear danny gatton mentioned by name. i did hear dave elliot say "danny" once in reference. their lives ran such a close parallel. irregardless, i did really enjoy this 4 part series. bravo and rip roy buchanan.
Shocking way for Roy to end his life. I guess we will never know the truth, all we know was he was a tortured genius, like a lot of people who devote their lives professionally to music, need a lot of patience and understanding. If we want the good music. It's important we all remember that.
I am not a betting man but if I were,he was killed by the police. I do not think the cops meant to kill him, and he was being loud and hard to deal with but they would never admit to what they really did. I would like to see his death and everything around it opened up and investigated. I am sure that a lot of people don't see any reason to do that, but then those people are not musicians who have been affected by his music and his life. Thank you for the videos about Roy Buchanan and please post more if you have them.
A guy walks into a small, dingy club and sees maybe the greatest guitar player of his era. He says to himself why is this guy here and how did he get here? The guy is lucky if he makes forty bucks tonight. That guy was Roy Buchanan. Somebody should do a movie about Roy Buchanan. His life was that of a great talent dealing with twists, turns, ups, downs with a tragic, questionable ending. It would be a great movie.
My late brother-a fine guitar player-introduced me to Roy via his first few albums...at the time, I did not particularly like his sound, likely because of that Telecaster he used. I still do not like the type of sound a tele gives out...but I have come to respect Roy's special gift of brilliance! Danny Gattin was another astonishing player from that area of the country. What was all that wellspring of greatness all about? And why do such talented people choose to end their lives?
its hard for me to believe a man with a family and even just a modest career, would kill himself in jail. when someone dies in police custody, all types of red flags should be going off in your head. com'on man.. somethin aint right.
a friend of mine Carey Ziegler played bass for him,he said Roy would listen to Bob Dylan at night in his barefeet. He said the cops definitely killed him. What a BITCH!!!
I too find his death a bit dubious. However, facial bruising and petechial hemorrhaging (likely the "bumps" people saw) are both common in strangulation deaths. Bloodflow to and from the head gets restricted and more blood tends to get through on the way up (arteries can pump themselves a bit) than can leave as quickly on the way down (veins can't.) Pressure will get wonky and capillaries etc. will eventually start bursting causing bruising to begin appearing shortly afterward. Also, a shirt connected to the bars on the door is feasible as a means of hanging oneself. I worked as a counselor at a psychiatric / rehab hospital for quite awhile and saw attempts that would likely have succeeded if not quickly discovered which were tied off on door knobs. Such attempts require fighting off the instinct to save oneself until loss of consciousness occurs though, since simply standing up is usually all it would take to abandon the attempt.
Does anyone know where was this version released? I don't think it was live or simple session, too many well though effects on drums and other instruments. Roy Buchanan had something very special about the sound no other guitarist had, i thought it is echo of love and life, can't really name it but is certainly drawing me towards him like no other music. Wish i gave him chance a long long time ago instead of letting it go because he didn't use enough overdrive...
As a kid I had found a not for sale album in Oregon of Roy's something about Godzilla in Tokyo? O what a outstanding thing it was!!!! Was hooked on it.
Great series on Roy! I think that if Roy would have stayed in L.A he could have been a much sought after studio session player. Those guys made pretty good money. He could play anything and in any key. That's what studio musicians are supposed to be able to do. Glen Campbell made good money doing it "before" he became famous as a solo artist. Oh well.......
In this documentary people are saying they believe Roy did commit suicide because he was self destructive...that doesn't mean anything once he was in custody of the Fairfax police. Who were the arresting officers, what officers saw Roy and had access to him, there is a video on RUclips where a man tells of being in the Fairfax detention center and hearing the police and Roy arguing and Roy getting the Sony beat out of him.
Why was he in a cell alone, when his wife was told he would be put in the drunk tank where he would be under observation by a desk officer..and he ends up in a private cell hanging by his shirt.
I see videos of Roy playing different telecaster guitars, I know about his 53 telecaster he called Nancy, maybe something happened and he started playing different guitars
Michael, the first person I approached to be interviewed in my doc on Roy was Danny Gatton. He was playing at a club called Club Soda in DC way back in Feb, '91, and I went there to see him play and to ask him to be interviewed in my video on Roy Buchanan. He politely said no and referred me to Elwood Brown. He told me he was glad I was doing this and it deserved to be done. It was apparent from what he said to me in our conversation that he and Roy didn't get along plus he told me Roy's wife Judy wouldn't like it if he was in a documentary on Roy. FYI: there's a documentary close to being completed about Danny Gatton. I don't know when it's going to be released - hopefully sooner than later. There 's also a book on Danny called "Unfinished Business."
@@michaelnoeldner3279 Michael, Judy told me she didn't like it when Roy would play with Danny. She complained to him that Danny was copying his techniques. It's something I believe a lot of guitar players do - copy from each other.
A friend of mine Carey Ziegler played bass for him and he said he would listen to Bob Dylan in his bare feet at night and he didn't do it the cops did it!!!!
All you that was close to ROY should no what really happen to him. Maybe if you listen to the music that he played. He might tell ya him self. From the music. Maybe in your dream's. I don't really no him tho I feel from his music the way he played it. He made it look easy for a reason. And you have the reason to no what really happened to him? Bless his soul the true music man. Hope what I spelled ya helps someone.=+
I am sure he did not take his own life. It is total BS. The cops did this to him and set it up to look like a suicide. Johnny told me he thought the same. Why would he kill himself when he had his new name guitar to play and lots to look forward to? All of his kids were fully grown and out of the house. It was just he and Judy and Judy was given half of his performance fee which was 3000.00 a night. He had no reason to commit suicide and it all points to the Fairfax police doing him in. PS...Judy was the one who called the police because she didn't't like the guy Roy had brought home. This is the true story. She initiated the police being involved. Her telling Roy she would pick him up in the morning tells us exactly how much she knew he was non violent. That his death happened just shortly after he was in jail in a "holding cell" also explains a whole lot as he could not have hung himselg with his own T shirt from a grating which was only 4 1/2 feet from the floor. He was far too over weight with a large belly and was still high from drinking and most likely incapable of even figuring out how to tie himself up with his own T-shirt....Just trying to tie a T shirt alone is extremely hard to do. Placing it around your neck and tying it with your hands above and behind your neck is even more difficult. Especially if you are drunk. He was NOT an aggressive person as explained throughout these segments. The timeline does not allow for this to happen. But having the police do a choke hold on him certainly ties it all together quite perfectly.
I love you Roy Buchanan. I love you man. Thank you.
I saw Roy Buchanan playing in a bar in 88 in Perth Western Australia... a short time later i heard he had passed away. So glad i had the opportunity to see him play
I first saw Roy on the BBC programme 'Old Grey Whistle Test' and I immediately bought the 45 that was released in the UK to coincide with his appearance at that time - 'Sweet Dreams'.
A gigging guitar player since the 1970s, I've enjoyed and been influenced by many fine players over the years - Richie Blackmore, Jan Akkerman, George Benson, Larry Carlton, Brent Mason and Jeff Beck among many, but I seem always to come back to Roy. Roy has a magic all his own. He probably didn't 'belong' in this world, but during his stay he left a unique impression that spans the ages.
Thanks for this wonderful documentary, I've enjoyed each of the four, but I just wish it had a happier ending and Roy never left us in the manner he did. The only way to deal with the feeling of sadness is to listen to his body of work, and to keep on practicing my instrument. Thanks, Roy.
For anyone wishing to experience Roy's live work, I recommend the YT video: 'Roy Buchanan - Live from Austin TX'
What a great documentary. Sometimes artists who are ahead of their time never find mainstream and broad reaching success, despite their immense talent. Roy was definitely already if his time. He should be highly ranked among the greatest guitarists of all time, yet he didn’t make Rolling Stone Magazine’s top 100 which is inconceivable.
RIP Roy.
I used to play drums for Joe Bayliss. He played keyboards for Don Sylvia's band, The Monkey Men. Don was Tiny Tim's manager. Joe B. played with Danny Denver and Roy at the Stardust Lounge in Waldorf, Md.. Roy new my older brother Phil, who was also a Telecaster player. I saw Roy play in The British Walkers. They had a big hit with a re-make of "The Girl Can't Help It". I was 6 years old. My brother's band found themselves playing a lot of those local shows with them back then. School cafeteria's, Church halls and DC dives. He was always amazing to see, even back in the early 1960's. It was really something when his career sky rocketed like it did. Well deserved. There were many great characters in the D.C. scene back then. Marvin RainWater, Link Wray, Danny Denver, Ronnie Dove, Danny Gatton, Etc. This documentary goes right with what Joe Bayliss told me many times through my years of playing in his band. R.I.P. Roy and Joe Bayliss.
thanks to those responsible for posting this documentary. I was and am a huge fan of Roy Buchanan. May he continue to rest in peace
Best music documentary about Roy. Saw him in the 70's at the famed Armadillo World Headquarters in Austin, Tx. Thanks.
I saw Roy at a club called the Caberett in San Jose California in 1988, around a month before his passing. It's 2022 and I remember it like it was last Tuesday. He blistered the paint off the walls in the place that night....
I saw him at that cowboy bar on Race Street and much earlier at the San Jose Civic with, l believe, The Ramones and Mink Deville. Wow. He was riding on Sweet Dreams at that juncture and headlined IIRC.
Thank you for this documentary. His music has always touched me to the bone- and then some- ever since I first heard him on the radio as a young teenager in 1974. What I heard really blew me away. I really related to his sound and feeling. RIP dear one. Thank you.
As a 14 y/o kid, I saw that WNET special and became an instant fan. However many months later, wrangled tickets to see his NYC solo debut concert at Carnegie Hall and was mesmerized. Of course that audience was there to hear him *play*, so no rowdy histrionics from the crowd, just appreciation for what the man could do w/ that Tele. Next time I saw him - maybe just a year later? - was at the newly dubbed Village East: the theatre that had been the Fillmore, under new owners/mgmt. Such a different vibe, mainly rock n' roll heads hollerin' over every solo.. the magic of that 1st show was an elusive thing to capture again. The LPs didn't capture the magic either, and my interest waned, but never my admiration of the talent.
Went through a similar ride of highs and lows discovering, seeing, then lamenting the arc of Danny Gatton, another wildly talented Tele player from the DC region: beautiful, strong, soaring playing, sad endings.
Thanks for posting, it was a nice visit.
Roys music and playing comes straight from the soul and is an unadulterated pure raw spirit of emotion. It's no secret that the likes of some OF THE MOST FAMOUS GUITARISTS or the 70's and 80's were influenced by this guy. His music will live on. Long live the great Roy Buchanan. .. much love, respect and appreciation for the opportunity of being introduced musically to this very original and amazing talent.
I always felt there was a sadness in his music, now after seeing this I believe it was so. RIP Roy.
I saw him three times in the 80s and felt that surge of mystical energy he transmitted via the crystal notes, but also his presence and eyes expressed a force that were like a leopard prowling the stage full of absolute confidence and a wild defiance. I said to myself- he knows he is the best. Thank you for sharing this great tribute with these RUclips clips!
I played with Carey with Johnny being the road manager.. We did the final California Tour in 1988. I was subbing for Vince Santoro , his usual drummer.
Still listening to and enjoying his fabulous playing to this day.
Thanks to all involved with putting this together. What a great player and what a great loss. Roy's music has been a part of my life since the mid 70's. He was truly an original one of a kind. R.I.P Roy you are truly missed.
Roy Buchannan's music touched many people, people with the highest discerning musical awareness and taste. This is an imaginative, well researched and fitting tribute to the great guitarist and man, one of the best. Our hearts goes out to all those who loved him, thank you for putting this together for us.
This is GOLD, Jerry, GOLD!
Thank you so much for posting this. He was a true master, and sorely missed.
I met Roy 30 years ago, he was very approachable and friendly.
Watched all 4 part's and believe it was done very well. A+ I got a lot out of it. I remember when this happened as I lived about 5 miles from his townhouse in Reston. Thanks again...
Love roy is judy still alive it would be great to see an interview of her.
I was born in 1961 and grew up in the greatest era of music ever. Yet never heard of Roy until long after he was gone.
I am making up for it now.
The thing I find most frustrating is that his name almost never shows up in the greatest guitarists of all time conversations.
This seems like a crime.
Really enjoyed watching all 4 parts. Roy was the first concert I saw as a teenager. Thank you so much for posting this, DC!
Thanks. Glad you liked it.
Just fantastic. What an artist. The recent death of Jeff Beck led me to this documentary. They had a lot in common. I miss them both. There is a hell of a jam session going on upstairs...
I loved Roy's sound,he was a real guitar slinger ,this guy did not mess around, he was so smooth,fast and clean,I would of liked to see him and johnny winters play together.REST IN PEACE ROY BUCHANAN,you touched my soul,thanks a lot.
Roy Buchanan is one of the most unique guitarists Ive heard and Ive heard quite a few. I think he was in a class of his own. I can hear his attitude in his playing. The only other guitarist like Roy, who played it his way and nobody elses was Jeff Beck. Apart from Beck I cant think of anyone else to compare him too and Im not happy to compare Roy with anybody but I do think Buchanan and Beck shared the lonely road of greatness. It's sad the way it ended for Roy. It's also mysterious. I love Roy Buchanan,s playing. Like I said he was in a class of his own when playing his guitars but not all guitarist,s become a commercial success like Eric Clapton but like I said, nobody else played like Roy Buchanan. RIP.
I love how older people say thank you for sharing. We take these kind of video for granted nowdays. accessability was the exact reason he is still on the fringe of underground.
He said he quit heroin if he could do that. He would have never hung himself.
Thank you so very kindly for sharing all 4 parts of this.
Truly & greatly appreciated.
randolphr Yes, Truly Thanks.....So Great..Gone Too Soon ...So Sad...RIP..Roy....til You Live Again!
Wow, what a great job. As a longtime fan I have really enjoyed listening to and watching this documentary. It provides us with a little better feel for Roy from the guys who were acquainted with him. Thanks for sharing it.
thanks for your nice comments. Glad you found it worth watching.
Thanks for this documentary on this Great Talent who we lost way to soon. Ending is so sad...RIP Roy............
The memmorys of his death ... how all these people are so emotionally moved by his death ... its telling of who ROY was ... and what he was as a man .... thank you roy ... you moved me and still do ... and im 60 and still shed a tear when i listen to you .. the messiah will come again ... and he lives on in us who know ... the greatest unknown in the world .... thank you roy ... thank you roy ... roy rip and rock on ... ..... thanx ....
Well this time last week I only knew of his name. But only yesterday morning I came across a clip on a Stratocaster fanpage on Facebook (yeah yeah he played a Tele) but I am damn thsnkful to that poster as I have now been connected to Roy Buchanan and I am so very glad I am. And so as the guy states at the end of this fine documentary about he hopes that in maybe 20 years new people will find him and enjoy it all over again. Well I AM HERE. God bless the original Poster on Facebook.
After listening to this i had to plug in my Tele ... and try to play with morre soul Roy gives me fire in my belly RIP oh Master
I saw him play live in Hamilton ON, in Canada, back in the '70's, he was amazing.
this four part series was fantastic, of course the song at the end pulls my Heartstrings
I heard the opening track to You're Not Alone on the radio when it came out and went immediately to the record store to buy my first of many many Roy Buchanan albums. He moved me, still moves me. Spiritual!
I listened to this while on ketamine, what a strange evenimg it became.
My friend that turned me on to Roy Buchanon., killed himself around 1977. I walked up to his house to get him and we were going to a company 4th July party/ picnic. When i knocked on his door, his roommate informed me he had shot himself in the head the night before. This was mid 1970s in Detroit. I was use to violence, and gunshots but this was my best friend dead at his own hand. This messed me up for years with a lot of alcohol and self medication. But listening to this on ketamine really brought it home. His friends voices catching in their throats as they relived those last moments was too real and brought it back. RIP Roy and Mark❤
You can't learn to play like Roy, it's impossible. The main lesson that comes across is to play from the heart. It's the only way Roy could play and we are fortunate that his heart was so soulful and his technique was brilliant enough to be able to express his innermost emotions. Thanks Roy.
Thank you very much for sharing this 4 part series. Thank you, Roy Buchanan, for sharing your music and awesome guitar playing, RIP.
Dear DCliberalarts, thanks very much for this 4-part documentary. I feel like you let us have a glimpse at a musical genius; a tortured genius, but a musical genius nonetheless. For most musicians to stay away from the damaging effects of booze and drugs, it's like a Lifeguard trying not to get sunburned, or wet, on the job.
What a wonderful tribute to a great musician. Thanks so much for posting.
Wasnt ever a huge fan but ya cant deny talent , wish i could play like that
Rip
I just learned of Roys music recently and what a treat it is, wow, just wow, love it.
what a tribute .thank you. I saw roy several times and play his albums often,keeps me happy !
Saw him many times in NY/NJ from the Sunshine Inn to the West Orange Bowling ally, 1970 and 80's. We were lucky
Please tell more about the eagle rock lanes in west orange , did they have concerts there , what year did you see him in west orange ?
A true legend who left us with a legacy that will stand the true test of time
I''m a fast graying fan of dead rock and roll stars.keep on Rockin' in any shade.
I learned many things from Roy. Thanks for this great documentary......
As a guitarist myself, I've always tried to understand the Roy Buchanan thing. With such high recommendations, like another musician's musician, Jeff Beck, singing his praises, I've tried to figure it out. This finally explained it. Thank you.
With all due respect, if you're a guitarist, fingers on strings etc... why did it take so long?? I personally caught the sound within seconds of first hearing his telecaster. Welcome to the elite Roy Buchannan admirers club.
Well done. Thank you for the documentary
A great Musician once said to me how he could play the way he does. He told me "It's in my head so it's in my hands" he gave a recital and played a suite by De Visee on guitar. We joked and said it would sound amazing on piano since it was originally written for harpsichord. Like it was nothing he played the entire suite for us on piano right there on the spot, it was extremely moving. With Roy, the connection to his music seems to run deeper. I never saw him live, but from his live recordings he just seems to have a big big heart and that just comes through his very original sound. Truly an amazing artist. I really enjoyed this documentary on Mr. Buchanan. Oddly enough I saw a man about to pitch a huge stack of records, He asked me if I wanted them, they moved from the work truck to the basement 3 years ago, I recently hooked up a record player and looked through my old stack and that one that was about to be thrown away. Recently a customer and I were talking about music after the work was done and she raved about how for her and her Husband it has always been Roy Buchanan for their favorite. I found 4 of Roy's albums in that stack and have been listening to them ever since. The albums completely melt away the stresses of life and transport me to some awesome sonic place, it's like hanging on a cloud when Roy plays. Albums that make you cry are rare, Roy pulls it off every time with the first few swollen notes of "Sweet Dreams".
Watched all 4 clips..Great interviews with people that played and knew Roy. Thanks for sharing!
He was in you when you heard him. They knew him; I loved him. Music does that to us.
As I posted after Part 1...I met Roy in the mid 1960's at The Rabbit's Foot in upper Georgetown DC...he was backing up a DC duo, The Kaylin Twins. From the first song he played...the great instrumental 20/75...to the last song I heard him play many years later I felt he understood the connection between his soul, music, his guitar and the listener's soul and was able to make that connection time after time after time...I spoke with him numerous times at stage side and he was always kind, courteous and...interesting. A notable memory was how high his strings were on his guitar. That is the Roy Buchanan I knew. Larry Marseglia
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How fortunate you were to have seen him during the years you did because many of his closest fans say these were the peak years of Roy's career. Thanks for sharing your observations of Roy.
What an amazing guitarist, such feel and should. Who was the friend he was with on his last night?
I never forget hearing the song Country Preacher and the tone of the guitar was so beautiful.
Thank you for posting very enlightning!!Truly missed !
still love his work!!
What a guitarplayer. Just beyond
brilliant documentary many thanks for posting
Of course it's a shocking thing and a big loss. Too many enormously talented people seem to suffer mentally. "Tortured" used to be a word that was used. It is very sad that it had to end this way and so prematurely too. I know at times I have wished that I had a really special gift for something. However, with the benefit of years it might be better not to be so blessed. RIP Roy Buchanan - I heard you and you did things for me. Thanks.
I'll always love Roy's music.
Thanks for sharing this
absolutely awesome, I wish there could be a movie done about roy like the one about danny gatton.
I agree. Danny was a great guitarist but to me Roy will always be the best Telecaster player ever (unless someone comes along and does better in the future...).
The human condition....we all have our problems. Be kind to each other.
For some people the hardest thing to do is be kind to themselves.
Why didn't the family call in a prominent pathologist to exam Roy and to review the report of the pathologist that did the autopsy. Unfortunately we will never know what really happened to the great Mr. Buchanan. Rest in peace Roy, we all love you.
Thanks. Very informative. Lots I never knew.
Loved seeing this, thanks so much for all that went into it! My first Roy album was You're Not Alone. Never understood totally the bad rap around this record, Fly......Night Bird and the title track literally put tears in my eyes and continues to touch me to this day. I can remember standing outside high school after functions looking at the night sky and playing those songs in my head in the late 70s. Soundtrack songs to my life. Shocking to find that those recordings were not him at his best when they move me to my core the way they do. That says something about the depth of this man's guitar playing even when not in his supposed element.
Loved him and still do is musics pieces of arts i'm sad the way ending for him ...
Great stuff!Wonderful job!Thak you for your effort.Peace Timo
just watched the whole thing. interesting that i did not hear danny gatton mentioned by name. i did hear dave elliot say "danny" once in reference. their lives ran such a close parallel. irregardless, i did really enjoy this 4 part series. bravo and rip roy buchanan.
Stevie Ray Vaughan. Great guitar player. Great songs
Shocking way for Roy to end his life. I guess we will never know the truth, all we know was he was a tortured genius, like a lot of people who devote their lives professionally to music, need a lot of patience and understanding. If we want the good music.
It's important we all remember that.
I am not a betting man but if I were,he was killed by the police. I do not think the cops meant to kill him, and he was being loud and hard to deal with but they would never admit to what they really did.
I would like to see his death and everything around it opened up and investigated. I am sure that a lot of people don't see any reason to do that, but then those people are not musicians who have been affected by his music and his life.
Thank you for the videos about Roy Buchanan and please post more if you have them.
That was great! Thanks for sharing.
A guy walks into a small, dingy club and sees maybe the greatest guitar player of his era. He says to himself why is this guy here and how did he get here? The guy is lucky if he makes forty bucks tonight. That guy was Roy Buchanan. Somebody should do a movie about Roy Buchanan. His life was that of a great talent dealing with twists, turns, ups, downs with a tragic, questionable ending. It would be a great movie.
My late brother-a fine guitar player-introduced me to Roy via his first few albums...at the time, I did not particularly like his sound, likely because of that Telecaster he used. I still do not like the type of sound a tele gives out...but I have come to respect Roy's special gift of brilliance! Danny Gattin was another astonishing player from that area of the country. What was all that wellspring of greatness all about? And why do such talented people choose to end their lives?
Thanks for sharing!
If this doesn't make you grab your guitar and just hold it for a moment nothing will ..thank you Roy Buchanan and your Telecaster guitar
its hard for me to believe a man with a family and even just a modest career, would kill himself in jail. when someone dies in police custody, all types of red flags should be going off in your head. com'on man.. somethin aint right.
Discoal, your tellin me!!!
Once the cops get involved everything changes. They should have never messed with him. Cops killed Roy, pure and simple. RIP Guitar Man.
a friend of mine Carey Ziegler played bass for him,he said Roy would listen to Bob Dylan at night in his barefeet. He said the cops definitely killed him. What a BITCH!!!
I too find his death a bit dubious. However, facial bruising and petechial hemorrhaging (likely the "bumps" people saw) are both common in strangulation deaths. Bloodflow to and from the head gets restricted and more blood tends to get through on the way up (arteries can pump themselves a bit) than can leave as quickly on the way down (veins can't.) Pressure will get wonky and capillaries etc. will eventually start bursting causing bruising to begin appearing shortly afterward.
Also, a shirt connected to the bars on the door is feasible as a means of hanging oneself. I worked as a counselor at a psychiatric / rehab hospital for quite awhile and saw attempts that would likely have succeeded if not quickly discovered which were tied off on door knobs. Such attempts require fighting off the instinct to save oneself until loss of consciousness occurs though, since simply standing up is usually all it would take to abandon the attempt.
Good Old Roy thanks
NO ROY NO JOY
Hold on now. Gotcha man.
Does anyone know where was this version released? I don't think it was live or simple session, too many well though effects on drums and other instruments.
Roy Buchanan had something very special about the sound no other guitarist had, i thought it is echo of love and life, can't really name it but is certainly drawing me towards him like no other music. Wish i gave him chance a long long time ago instead of letting it go because he didn't use enough overdrive...
As a kid I had found a not for sale album in Oregon of Roy's something about Godzilla in Tokyo? O what a outstanding thing it was!!!! Was hooked on it.
Great series on Roy! I think that if Roy would have stayed in L.A he could have been a much sought after studio session player. Those guys made pretty good money. He could play anything and in any key. That's what studio musicians are supposed to be able to do. Glen Campbell made good money doing it "before" he became famous as a solo artist. Oh well.......
In this documentary people are saying they believe Roy did commit suicide because he was self destructive...that doesn't mean anything once he was in custody of the Fairfax police. Who were the arresting officers, what officers saw Roy and had access to him, there is a video on RUclips where a man tells of being in the Fairfax detention center and hearing the police and Roy arguing and Roy getting the Sony beat out of him.
Why was he in a cell alone, when his wife was told he would be put in the drunk tank where he would be under observation by a desk officer..and he ends up in a private cell hanging by his shirt.
I see videos of Roy playing different telecaster guitars, I know about his 53 telecaster he called Nancy, maybe something happened and he started playing different guitars
So sad.
roy was the king
his music is alive
I'm surprised that this documentary never mentioned Danny Gatton. They where roommates once.
Michael, the first person I approached to be interviewed in my doc on Roy was Danny Gatton. He was playing at a club called Club Soda in DC way back in Feb, '91, and I went there to see him play and to ask him to be interviewed in my video on Roy Buchanan. He politely said no and referred me to Elwood Brown. He told me he was glad I was doing this and it deserved to be done. It was apparent from what he said to me in our conversation that he and Roy didn't get along plus he told me Roy's wife Judy wouldn't like it if he was in a documentary on Roy. FYI: there's a documentary close to being completed about Danny Gatton. I don't know when it's going to be released - hopefully sooner than later. There 's also a book on Danny called "Unfinished Business."
@@KLfilm25 Danny claimed that Roy stole some music from him. I'm wondering if that had anything to do with them not getting along.
@@michaelnoeldner3279 Michael, Judy told me she didn't like it when Roy would play with Danny. She complained to him that Danny was copying his techniques. It's something I believe a lot of guitar players do - copy from each other.
A friend of mine Carey Ziegler played bass for him and he said he would listen to Bob Dylan in his bare feet at night and he didn't do it the cops did it!!!!
And one more thing, people die in custody way too often
Being an addict is not the same thing as suicidal, it just isnt
the vocalist of the band PRISM died in a jail in CANADA..some hinted it may have been the chokehold that caused him to go into a death state.
All you that was close to ROY should no what really happen to him. Maybe if you listen to the music that he played. He might tell ya him self. From the music. Maybe in your dream's. I don't really no him tho I feel from his music the way he played it. He made it look easy for a reason. And you have the reason to no what really happened to him? Bless his soul the true music man. Hope what I spelled ya helps someone.=+
Walking down the road. That can ruin your life in America .
I am sure he did not take his own life. It is total BS. The cops did this to him and set it up to look like a suicide. Johnny told me he thought the same. Why would he kill himself when he had his new name guitar to play and lots to look forward to? All of his kids were fully grown and out of the house. It was just he and Judy and Judy was given half of his performance fee which was 3000.00 a night. He had no reason to commit suicide and it all points to the Fairfax police doing him in. PS...Judy was the one who called the police because she didn't't like the guy Roy had brought home. This is the true story. She initiated the police being involved. Her telling Roy she would pick him up in the morning tells us exactly how much she knew he was non violent. That his death happened just shortly after he was in jail in a "holding cell" also explains a whole lot as he could not have hung himselg with his own T shirt from a grating which was only 4 1/2 feet from the floor. He was far too over weight with a large belly and was still high from drinking and most likely incapable of even figuring out how to tie himself up with his own T-shirt....Just trying to tie a T shirt alone is extremely hard to do. Placing it around your neck and tying it with your hands above and behind your neck is even more difficult. Especially if you are drunk. He was NOT an aggressive person as explained throughout these segments. The timeline does not allow for this to happen. But having the police do a choke hold on him certainly ties it all together quite perfectly.
Good old Roy
I will tell you that the guy that was talking about the choke hold. He did not commit suicide that was not in him.