LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Buck Owens, co-host of television's "Hee Haw" and who shaped the sound of country music with hits like "Act Naturally," has died. He was 76.
Owens died at his home, said family spokesman Jim Shaw. The cause of death was not immediately known. Owens had undergone throat cancer surgery in 1993 and was hospitalized with pneumonia in 1997.
His career was one of the most phenomenal in country music, with a string of more than 20 No. 1 records, most released from the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s.
They were recorded with a honky-tonk twang that came to be known throughout California as the "Bakersfield Sound," named for the town 100 miles north of Los Angeles that Owens called home.
In addition to music, Owens had a highly visible TV career as co-host of "Hee Haw" from 1969 to 1986. With guitarist Roy Clark, he led viewers through a potpourri of country music and hayseed humor.
After his string of hits, Owens stayed away from the recording scene for a decade, returning in 1988 to record another No. 1 record, "Streets of Bakersfield," with Dwight Yoakam.
He spent much of his time away concentrating on his business interests, which included a Bakersfield TV station and radio stations in Bakersfield and Phoenix.
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Re: 'Hee Haw' star dies at 76
I love the old country singers like Buck, Merle, Conway, Johnny, and Charlie. That country is so different than most of the "junk" (sorry to offend anyone) that plays today. I'm not a modern country music fan...I just can't relate even if I could get past the sound. So sorry to hear this.
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OMG every Sat night with my grandparents, HEE HAW and Lawrence Welk!
Shhhhh dont tell anyone but even had Hee Haw overalls, Yes I was adorable!
Loved him, my prayers are with his family during their loss.
When I was a little girl, I always stayed with my grandparents and every Saturday night we watched Hee Haw!! I just loved Minnie Pearl with that tag hanging off her hat and Grandpa Jones!! I think the best part is when they would pop up out of the corn field!! Then when I was out in the corn field that is what you would find me doing!! Aw the good ol' days!
Buck Owens will be missed by many, he made great music and could always make people laugh!! My heart goes out to his Family,
OMG every Sat night with my grandparents, HEE HAW and Lawrence Welk!
Shhhhh dont tell anyone but even had Hee Haw overalls, Yes I was adorable!
Loved him, my prayers are with his family during their loss.
Same here, only I had plain overalls I wore everyday until I was about 16 or 17. Barefoot, pigtails and freckles. Tiger by The Tail was my fav song. His voice and smile will be missed.
I loved Hee Haw too. I also remember being up early when I was REALLY young and watching Buck Owens and Dolly Parton in all their glitter and thinking how I wish I had an outfit like that.
I loved Hee Haw too. I also remember being up early when I was REALLY young and watching Buck Owens and Dolly Parton in all their glitter and thinking how I wish I had an outfit like that.
You may be thinking of Porter Waggoner who sang with Dolly in his flashy suits. I loved Buck Owens. When was about 8, I colored my guitar red, white and blue with markers to look like his. I also got gold stick-on letters to spell my name on the fretboard, just like his. I'm the proud owner of Buck Owens and his Buckaroos Open Up Your Heart LP, inherited from my dad. I may have to dig it out and play it again, if I can find a record player.
OMG....you're right!!! I ain't as much of a country hick as I thought! I don't know my old time stars well enough. I don't know if that's good or bad. I'll have to ponder that as I sleep tonight!
You may be thinking of Porter Waggoner who sang with Dolly in his flashy suits. I loved Buck Owens. When was about 8, I colored my guitar red, white and blue with markers to look like his. I also got gold stick-on letters to spell my name on the fretboard, just like his. I'm the proud owner of Buck Owens and his Buckaroos Open Up Your Heart LP, inherited from my dad. I may have to dig it out and play it again, if I can find a record player.
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