Don Rich

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Don Rich (born August 15, 1941 as Donald Eugene Ulrich in Olympia , Washington , † July 17, 1974 in Morro Bay , California ) was an American country musician and guitarist . He performed with Buck Owens and was a major contributor to the development of the Bakersfield Sound in the early 1960s. In addition to numerous recordings with Buck Owens as a singer, he also recorded the well-known country instrumental Buckaroo as lead guitarist.

biography

Beginnings

Don Rich was born in Washington State and took violin lessons at an early age. At the age of 18 he met Buck Owens, who had moved to Puyallup, Washington, and had a recording deal with Capitol Records at the time. Owens also hosted a local television program and was a partner in a small radio station. After Rich and Owens had made music together for a year, Owens left Puyallup and returned to Bakersfield, where he received a letter from Rich shortly afterwards, in which he said that he had had enough of college and was ready for a music career .

At Owens' side

Owens brought Rich to California and Rich, newly married to his girlfriend Marlene, moved to Bakersfield. The first record with Don Rich as guitarist was the single Excuse Me (I Think I've Got a Heartache). Since Owens and Rich didn't have a band yet, the duo played with every club band in the area. Instead of playing the violin, Don Rich quickly took on the role of lead guitarist from Buck Owens and developed his own style on the Fender Telecaster , guided by Owens, who had already practiced his own "sharp" sound on it. From then on, Rich accompanied Owens not only as a guitarist, but also as a harmony singer , which greatly contributed to the recognition value of their music.

Don Rich was more than just a colleague for Buck Owens, he also advised him on musical matters. He recommended a song written by Johnny Russell and Vonie Morrison; Act Naturally became Owens' first number 1 hit in 1963.

When Owens founded the band "The Buckaroos" ( bass : Doyle Holly, drums : Willie Cantu, steel guitar : Tom Brumley) shortly thereafter , "Dangerous" Don Rich, his nickname, was their band leader as guitarist. In order to develop his musical skills, Rich not only listened to country recordings, but also let himself be influenced by jazz guitarists.

In the mid-1960s, Buck Owens hosted his own television program, The Buck Owens Ranch. Don Rich always opened this with the instrumental Buckaroo. 1969 started the show Hee Haw , which Owens hosted together with Roy Clark . The Buckaroos were always there as a house band.

In addition to the Fender Telecaster that made him famous, Rich also rarely played the Gibson Les Paul .

death

On July 17, 1974, at the age of 32, Rich had a fatal accident on his motorcycle in Morro Bay, California. The death of his close friend threw Buck Owens off course; his Capitol Records contract expired in 1975 and his career had passed its zenith. Only later was Owens able to work successfully again.

effect

Don Rich's guitar solos and sharp Telecaster sound are famous to this day. Despite his early death, Rich was instrumental in shaping the Bakersfield sound through his collaboration with Buck Owens.

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