Robert Norman Buck (August 1, 1958 – December 19, 2000) was an American guitarist and founding member of the alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs. Some of his compositions with Natalie Merchant are among the most popular songs recorded by 10,000 Maniacs, including "What's the Matter Here", "Hey Jack Kerouac", "You Happy Puppet" and "These Are Days".
Rob Buck | |
|---|---|
 Buck in 1997 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Robert Norman Buck |
| Born | August 1, 1958 Jamestown, New York, U.S. |
| Died | December 19, 2000 (aged 42) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Genres | Rock, alternative rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instrument | Guitar |
| Years active | 1981–2000 |
| Formerly of | |
Early life
editBuck was born August 1, 1958, in Jamestown, New York.[1] He graduated from Cassadaga Valley High School in 1976 and received an associate's degree in anthropology from Jamestown Community College.[2]
Career
editBuck decided to pursue a career as a professional guitarist after seeing The Jimi Hendrix Story.[2] Buck, Dennis Drew, Steven Gustafson, John Lombardo, and Natalie Merchant formed 10,000 Maniacs in 1981; Buck was the band's lead guitarist.[1]
The band's folk-rock music became popular with college students.[3] Its 1987 album, In My Tribe, sold more than a million copies.[3] In 1989, Blind Man's Zoo reached number 13 on the U.S. charts and was certified gold.[4] Buck was the co-writer of some of the band's best-known songs, including "These Are Days", "Hey Jack Kerouac", and "What's the Matter Here?"[1] He performed with the band at the Inaugural Ball in 1993.[5][3][6] That same year, the band was profiled in Rolling Stone.[3]
Buck was listed in Guitar Player magazine as one of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.[2]
Personal life
editBuck was married to Terri Newhouse from 1979 to 1981.[1]
Death
editOn November 30, 2000, Buck was airlifted from WCA Hospital in Jamestown, New York, to the UPMC Presbyterian hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[7] He died of liver disease roughly three weeks later, on December 19, 2000, at age 42.[2]
Discography
edit- With 10,000 Maniacs
- Human Conflict Number Five (1982)
- Secrets of the I Ching (1983)
- The Wishing Chair (1985)
- In My Tribe (1987)
- Blind Man's Zoo (1989)
- Hope Chest: The Fredonia Recordings 1982–1983 (1990)
- Our Time in Eden (1992)
- MTV Unplugged (1993)
- Love Among the Ruins (1997)
- The Earth Pressed Flat (1999)
- Campfire Songs: The Popular, Obscure and Unknown Recordings (2004)
- Other credits
- Victory Gardens (1991) with John & Mary – lead guitar, mandolin
- The Weedkiller's Daughter (1993) with John & Mary – lead guitar
- The Pinwheel Galaxy (2003) with John & Mary – backwards guitar
- Kerouac: Kicks Joy Darkness (2000)
References
edit- ^ a b c d Margolis, Lynne (January 6, 2006). "10,000 Maniacs Guitarist Robert Buck Dead at 42". ABC News.
- ^ a b c d Anderson, Dale (December 21, 2000). "ROB BUCK, MANIACS GUITARIST, DIES AT 42". The Buffalo News.
- ^ a b c d Violanti, Anthony (March 14, 1993). "ALL TOGETHER NOW 10,000 MANIACS IS FINDING NEW SUCCESS BEHIND A UNIFIED FRONT". The Buffalo News.
- ^ "10,000 Maniacs Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- ^ O'toole, Caitlin (June 17, 1998). "10,000 Maniacs Guitarist Dead at 42". People.com.
- ^ Greene, Andy (January 17, 2017). "Flashback: U2 and REM Join Forces for Bill Clinton Inauguration". RollingStone.com.
- ^ Basham, David (December 20, 2000). "10,000 Maniacs Guitarist Rob Buck Dies Of Liver Failure". MTV News. Archived from the original on May 23, 2014.