Roy Buchanan interview

[AngusShanks]

I seriously doubt the Stones would ever ask Roy to join them . He's so far above them musically it would never have worked. He just didn't fit their sound and personality wise I just don't see him being a part of them either. I have heard that Steve Marriot was asked and that Ry Cooder was asked. Marriot would make sense, not Cooder so much for the same reason Roy wouldn't fit. Taylor was a great fit and then so was Ronnie Wood. But Buchanan and Cooder > Taylor and Wood as far as virtuosity.

[1skullduggery]

i literally wore out a cd (thought they were indestructable) of his, learning all the licks; the great 'second album'. it went out of print, but MOST of the songs are available on collections. i really don't play anymore, but those were some fun times. his phrasing was incredible. he had a very unique style of playing, that when you heard it, you could say: ahh...that's roy. that's what i like in a blues guitarist. individuality. winter, bloomfield, etc. unmistakable.

[frankiev1231]

Hummmmm that's funny Roy side that

[mockradgy]

When I found out he was coming to the El Mocombo in Toronto in the mid 70's I got into the bar when the janitor was still sweeping up from the night before and moved a table and chairs to sit right in front of Roy's amp. I was there for I purpose only. That was to listen to him play Roy's Bluez. I was not disappointed. Story has it that when the Hawk gave into his son to being a professional guitar player the boy would have to go to the best and learn. Ronnie sent him to Roy.

[MrSheerfinesse]

best ever... hands down

[philby37]

Thanks for putting this up, I own one of Roy's Telcasters and Ive been a fan for very many years, its nice to see him talking in the flesh so to speak.

[fieldfullofthistles]

Roy was a brilliant individualist - I have a few of his albums and they are awesome. I dont think he would have been a good fit for the stones as he was so distinctive - Mick Taylor - equally brilliant in his own style - fit perfectly playing wise. After Hours is my favourite Roy track - its just outstanding from beginning end.

[bobgifford]

Roy was way beyond the Rolling Stones musical talent. But kike he says if only he would have known.

[mrsoundwave]

i heard roy and jimi hendrix played together  a few times

[MyJROBERT]

o my god >>>>Please add more .i love this roy stuff. it is so hard to find .been looking for a documentary on him in 72 i think by PBS.let me know if it can be found .man what great guitar player none can hold a candle to roy..so sad we lost a great guy here folks...

[bohtzsah2002]

@MyJROBERT .........I Know of someone who, while Roy was alive.. could have "held a candle" to him. lol.. That's easy:

The Master of the Telecaster himself... None other than "DANNY GATTON" They were two of the best tele players in the world. PERIOD.

[55slice]

Roy was a prodigy player in his own right and whether or not he was offered the gig with the Stones, I wasn't there so I don't know. He certainly had the chops but personally I don't think it would've been a good mesh of talent. I saw Roy countless times and I can tell as far as I'm concerned he was the greatest "unknown" player in the world.

[henryshomebrew]

anyone who thinks roy is The Best Guitarist that ever lived, is out of there mind, or ignorant, or something. that is the dumbest shit I've ever heard.

[iTzRevolt]

@possumverde, not better than Mick Taylor? C'mon man. I love Mick Taylors playing, but he wasn't even in the same league as Roy, not many were/are.

[poppyseller1]

to the guy who says Roy is a liar....... Roy jammed with Hendrix so he was known and especially by english guitar players like Beck and page, who do you think beck stole all that volume swell stuff from. And all 3 clapton ,beck, page went to see hendrix every night he played in London and stole his shit too. it is not beyond the realm of possibility that Roy could have been asked to play for the stones ,but Id say they were looking for an englishmen to replace Brian.

anyway??

[Rogerrumjet]

So was it really a suicide in the drunk tank, or was it staged to cover up a police beat down that went too far.

[bran1995]

roy was great,i just love his guitar playing, HE'S the man.Roy did not need to play with anyone, so it does not matter to me. god bless him.HE well live forever.

[Freakster1970]

I guess he was too much of a loner to be in one band for a long period of time. Anyway can you imagine roy playing and mick dancing around like prat? chalk and cheese spring to mind.

[diamondnight]

I'm glad Roy didn't join The Stones because it wouldn't look right with them all wearing beards..

[brucefanmark]

Hey Dog Catcher, I don't know why anyone questions the fact Roy was asked.....all you have to do is ASK THE STONES...THEIR STILL ALIVE....HELLO????

[ironpirites]

If Roy Buchanan had been born in Europe in a different milieu he probably would have bee the first violinist in some philharmonic orchestra. He strikes me as a gentle soul stuck in a harsh environment where he acted out (and sedated himself) with booze, perhaps lies and sweet and very violent sounds wrung out of his tele. He was a great great artist. RIP.

[ironpirites]

There is absolutely no question that Buchanan could have played the Stones' catalogue (backward and inside out if necessary). Just check him out on the YouTube video Misty for some very chopsy unBuchanan-like playing of the jazz standard. I think it would have been artistically boring for him to do it . . . and dangerous to his health, given the temptations and opportunities that would have arisen. He would have gone the way of John Bonham, who just wanted to be with his family - down the drain.

[DogCatchersBand]

Even Charie Daniels said he never heard the Stones offer...I love Roy as much as anybody, but he said alot of things that were lies,and those lies continued to follow him and haunt him at every interview he gave since spinning the tales.

[YT28666]

@DogCatchersBand Well stated comment. I have been a huge admirer of Roy's guitar playing for 30 years or more.

[diatroptoff94]

@DogCatchersBand what the fuck does charlie daniels have to do anything roy buchannon!? Do you know how many people the stones asked to play lead guitar for them??? To many to count and if i was them roy would have been my first choice

[2inchtube]

Aren't we all fortunate to have individuals like Roy B, and Rory G, and Nils Lofgren, Tommy Bolin, and Steve Miller, and Alvin Lee, and Ted Nuggent, and J Hendrix, and E Capton, and not hackers like Willy Nelson or your momma!

[hoppercap]

@2inchtube I love Willie Nelson's guitar playing. I'd take him over any of the other guitarists you mention with the exception of the great Roy Buchanan.

[hawkinsonp01]

Genius musician. Whether is was true or not, Roy made the absolute right decision (or no decision) in turning down the stones. He may have not have appealed to commercial music fans but has been a huge influence to the intellectual music fan and/or guitarist . Nothing against the stones and their commercial success, but a cult following is the most realistic kind of following, and should be the most satisfying.

[67goldtops]

Hey swampash54,

HOW STUPID DO YOU FEEL??

Oh wait, let me guess...Roy was simply talking out his ass here, right? Tom Zito knows more about Roy's life and career than Roy himself. Right, jerkoff?

YOU LOSE!

[sothewind]

That rumor circulated about Roy (and Nils Lofgren) for years. Charley Daniels may have asked him something, but the Stones never did.

[Kerob86]

Is there any sorta proof that this happened? I've heard from several stories from several people about the circumstances surrounding it, the only consistent story I've heard is that it was made up. Judging by Roy's personal problems and his propensity for making crap up, it wouldn't surprise me if this was one of his tales...

[vegetasrevenge]

I wasn't aware there was any debate about the Stones offer. I always regarded it as fact. To be sure the Stones were shopping around and I'm sure the offer went to others and was declined.

I'm sure the money would have been nice, a tempting offer. The story was that Roy had just started a family and wanted to be at home.

I have not read any books on Roy, but would love to.

[Royalstandard]

There was no doubt about the Stones offer. Buchanan was a timid barroom player from day one and hated big audiences. I saw him at Dartmouth college's Hopkins Center which barely seats 600 and he was uncomfortable in that venue. Family matters aside, he really lliked playing smoky bars with small crowds.

[DogCatchersBand]

@vegetasrevenge Check out "American Axe" in paperback by author Phil Carson, who was kind enough to mention me in the credits of his book.

[jsilence418]

I would argue, although I love roys' playing, and agree he was a master, Mick Taylor left a vwery good impression of himself with the stones, and he is a virtuoso in my book. thanks where is the rest of the interview?

[blindtimes]

@Mark9309 Yea unfortunately when Clapton was really into alcohol he was at Roy's level (emotional, heartfelt, inspirational, and playing with more depth and feel); not to discount Clapton's talent. Roy was something else just out of this world never to come back any time soon

[Dc328]

Loved Roy and still listen to his music religiously! My absolute favorite guitarist of all time! I started listening to him in the very early 70's and have been hooked since! As far as his offer from the Stones, I believe it, always have, always will! And Yes...I have read the book!

[Beerchasers]

I taught myself drum rudiments using a live version of Green Onions as accompaniment. Alot of his songs tempo's change so frequently. It challenges any beginner and even intermediates. Still practice to his songs.

[dreadnought45]

True or not, playing riffs for the Stones for the rest of his life would not be his thing. Actually playing the guitar is (was) his thing.

Ken, Toronto

[urankjj]

You can`t always get what you want. But if you try sometimes you just might find, Roy Buchanan. And You`ve got, just what you need.

[jfo41]

I'm Roy's nephew and I put this video on here. This offering to play with the Stones is absolutely true. This is a fact that the family knew before it became pubic. Playing for the Stones however would not have done Roy any justice, hence, Roy is considered by many as the greatest guitar player that has ever played. Point being, Roy is way above playing for the Stones, even though they are a great commercially successful band. I don't think many would argue the fact that he could have.

[haowenjason925]

roy is way too good for the stones...

[mmasny]

@jfo41 I don't know how many I but I would. As far as I know about him he wasn't a person to achieve commercial success. His personality wouldn't let him.

[misfits77777]

@jfo41 Hi.Im his grandaughter Jessica (seriously).My moms name is Lauressa and her husbands name is Chip (i put that ass in jail) I know, already tmi. I wanted to say its really nice to see him on here.I watch his videos alot. I wished i would have gotten to know him.I only saw him once when i was 4 and he passed a little while after that.I still have the cabbage patch doll that him and my grandma judy bought me on that visit.

[thehomefront]

@jfo41 the stones would of never had this bum in their band.

[possumverde]

@thehomefront While I don't agree with the "bum" part...You are right about them never letting him into the band. He was too good. Don't get me wrong, I love the Stones but their guitar leads are generally forgettable at best and occasionally downright annoying (they generally strike me as more of an excuse to let Mick strut without having to sing than to really add to the quality of the music)

[ishawnm]

@possumverde Yet Mick Taylor played for the stones for a while. It is debatable if Roy was a better player than Mick -I would say not but to each their own.

[Bookstop1337]

@jfo41

Do you know what happened to your uncle's guitars? I saw a video on here of them being for sale.. any idea where they've ended up?

[63drawoh]

@Bookstop1337 they were burned at woodstock lol

[63drawoh]

@jfo41 whats important is that IT NEVER HAPPENED. all the speculation means nothing .

[Darkensmith321]

@jfo41 Wanna tell me about a guitar named "cryin shame"

[shredmaster100]

roy was one of the greatest guitarists ive ever seen my neighbour was lucky to see roy in the 70,s in person and the effect of seeing roy play has stayed with him all his life their is no othe guitar player alive that could transmit so much emotion through his guitar he was a legend and we all miss him

[fuxgood]

@jfo41 Is the fact that Roy was a more traditional type blues player which he wanted to stick to also play into his decision to not join the Stones?

I mean it would kinda be like comparing grapes and raisins. Same genre but completely different.

[YT28666]

Interesting to see any interview footage of the late Roy, but it is most likely one of his tall tales. Read "American Axe" the biography of Roy.

[ih8thishit]

this is not a 'tall tale'. Charlie Daniels, who would later be a huge part of southern rock, was an A&R man that was in charge of Roy when Atlantic records signed him. Charlie sang on Roy's earliest recordings and wrote some. Real psychedelic stuff. The Stones DID ask Roy to join, and he turned them down.. so they hired Mick Taylor away from Mayall's band instead.

[ih8thishit]

I dont know who wrote that book, but I have YET to read a 'biography' that gets it all right. Usually they are hack jobs by people with useless degrees in lit trying to make a living. BB King, SRV, Chuck Berry, Clapton you name it - read 2-3 "biographies" and they wont jive. Charlie Daniels is a hardcore bible thumper, so I doubt he's gonna lie about Roy or his time involved with him. Besides, buy Roy's Anthology and read the liner notes.... and then decide what's a tall tale and whats real.

[YT28666]

I had already bought the Roy anthology at least 10 years before the biography book. The tall tale of Roy declining an offer by the Rolling Stones is fairly easily disproved. Get over it, Roy Buchanan was a great guitar player but he didn't always tell the truth. Do you believe that Roy's father was a preacher? He certainly was not, even though Roy said so many times.

[DogCatchersBand]

@YT28666 Well said YT

[1954tele]

@YT28666 ; I find it amusing that people like YT didn't know Roy, nor his family but seem to take childish pleasure in stirring up the pot. YT & those like him live by the creedo ; "Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up". Sadly the same "Carnival Barker" mentality has found a home behind a keyboard. Roy is the genuine article, from a time where honesty & integrity meant something. Roy left us over 20 years ago however his music like his talent remained with us (well-most of us)

[YT28666]

@1954tele You are only describing yourself with the comment about stirring the pot. Are you a member of his family? You aren't very well informed. I stand behind all the comments that I have left on this thread. What other facts do you have access to?

[diagreen]

didnt no this.woulda been cool,roy in the stones.

[wcrimi]

Ouch. Very sad

[2oobwatcher]

oh wow....his comment is heartbreaking considering how he died....loved Roy. still do

[onstageagain]

What do you mean by what your saying here?  Not sure???