Gary Howard Buck (1944-2016)
BUCK, WIERSON, PETERSON, DOBSON, LANPHER
Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 8/6/2016 at 19:39:49
Obituary From Adams Soderstrum Funeral Home, Story County, Iowa.
Gary Howard Buck was born in Ames, Iowa on October 16, 1944 and died on July 8, 2016 at Polk City Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Polk City, Iowa. He was 71.
Gary was the son of Howard S. Buck and Genevieve O. Wierson-Buck. He was preceded in death by his father, Howard in 1946, his mother and his sister, Genevieve and Judie Delores Peterson in 2007, and his stepfather, Robert L. Dobson, in 2008.
Gary is survived by his brother, Roy L. Dobson (Marilyn) Hamilton, Ohio and sister, Cynthia Dobson-Lanpher (Glenn) Onslow, Iowa, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Gary will be remembered for his sense of humor and quick wit, but mostly for his fierce passion for music, both as an avid listener and as a world-class guitarist. As children, siblings Roy and Cynthia (Cindy) remember a constant flow of blues, rock and jazz music surrounding them as Gary jammed in the basement of their Cedar Rapids home. Though musicians of Gary's caliber are truly rare, Cindy describes hearing his constant riffing as commonplace and lovingly refers to it as the "soundtrack to her life" growing up in their house.
Gary's love of music spanned many genres and he played many instruments, but was best known for his incredible aptitude for guitar. During his musical career, Gary played with many bands, but is most fondly remembered for the time he spent as lead guitarist of the Mother Blues Band. The years Gary spent with Mother Blues eventually earned him the 2007 induction into the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame along with band lead and founder, Pat Hazell, and several other significant members.
Gary's career is best summed up by his good friend and band-mate, Patrick Hazell, as follows:
"In the early Springtime of 1968, having just moved to Iowa City, I was introduced to Jeff Weber, a bass player from Cedar Rapids who, like myself, was interested in forming a blues band. After first choosing “Mother Blues” for the band's name, we then went looking for other like-minded musicians to fill out the band roster. We soon heard about guitarist, Gary Buck, arranged a practice session, and after adding a couple of horn players and a drummer, within a few months were generally considered one of the top bands in the state of Iowa. The band eventually achieved what is now often described as a legendary status in the annals of Midwestern Music. Gary Buck was most definitely a key to establishing that legend.
The band roster gradually changed personnel over the ensuing years—eventually involving almost 60 different musicians. Gary played in the band through 1972. By that time, he, trumpeter Charlie Croope, and I were the only original members left. I took a temporary break from the band business to help establish a very young and growing family, and Mother Blues ceased to exist until I formed a new band was formed in 1974 with a whole new line-up of musicians. Meanwhile, Gary moved on with some of the old Mother Blues musicians to form a couple of new bands that played in the Iowa City area. I never played with Gary again in part because by the time I got back into music his health had deteriorated and he moved into assisted living centers and dropped out of music.
But, Gary Buck was a huge influence upon me. I've told others many, many times that he is easily the best guitarist I have played with, and is definitely one of the most distinctive and original players I have ever heard. He was a world class musician; I learned an incredible amount from him. His teaching and musical ideas still inspire me. His playing was intense and full of emotional drive. The energy he gave to the band was powerful and spell-binding for audiences everywhere.
I remember the time in 1970, when Gary was helped to his chair on the stage in front of 15,000 people gathered in Iowa City to hear the Jefferson Airplane. I then came out and sat at my keyboard and the two of us played as a duet until the rest of the band eventually joined us in our opening set for the concert. It was a momentous night. I have heard many an account that Mother Blues was the hit of the night. We were good. As good a band as any touring the nation at the time.
Those were days of unrest and turmoil—lots of uncertainty, change, and experimentation. The Mother Blues Band was smack dab in the middle of it all. We were a musical catalyst for much of what was happening in Iowa among the young generation. It was our time, and we all had our life-changing experiences for good and for bad. All through all those miles of touring amidst those exciting times, I am proud that I was able to travel them musically with Gary Buck. May He Rest In Peace."
--Patrick Hazell
The family extends a heartfelt thank you to Patrick Hazell for sharing his memories, as well as to Polk City Nursing & Rehabilitation Center for their patience and kindness during the final months of Gary's life.
Funeral Service
JUL 12. 12:00 PM
Adams Funeral Home & Cremation Service
502 Douglas Avenue
Ames, IA, US, 50010Graveside Service
JUL 12. 12:45 PM
Ames Municipal Cemetery
310 E 9th St.
Ames, IA, US
http://www.adamssoderstrum.com/
Story Obituaries maintained by Mark Christian.
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