Don Rich Cause of Death: How the Bakersfield Sound Legend Died

Don Rich was a country music legend who helped shape the Bakersfield sound, a style of music that emerged in the 1960s as a reaction to the slick Nashville sound. He was best known as the lead guitarist, fiddler, and harmony vocalist for Buck Owens and his band, the Buckaroos. Rich and Owens had a close friendship and musical partnership that lasted for more than a decade, until Rich’s tragic death in a motorcycle accident in 1974. In this article, we will explore the life and legacy of Don Rich, as well as the circumstances of his death.

Early Life and Career

Don Rich was born Donald Eugene Ulrich on August 15, 1941, in Olympia, Washington. He was adopted by Bill and Anne Ulrich, who taught him to play the fiddle at an early age. He also learned to play the guitar and formed a rock and roll band called the Blue Comets with his friends in high school. He graduated from Olympia High School in 1959 and enrolled in Centralia College, where he tutored music students.

In 1957, when he was 16 years old, he opened for Elvis Presley at the Tacoma Lincoln Bowl. He also met Buck Owens, who was working as a radio DJ in Tacoma at the time. Owens was impressed by Rich’s talent and invited him to play with him at local venues. They also appeared on a weekly TV show called BAR-K Jamboree, where they met Loretta Lynn for her television debut.

In 1960, Owens moved to Bakersfield, California, to pursue his recording career with Capitol Records. He convinced Rich to join him as his fiddle player and harmony singer. Rich dropped out of college and moved to Bakersfield with his girlfriend, Marlane Schindler, whom he married in 1961. They had four children together: Vance, Vic, Paulette, and Doni.

The Bakersfield Sound

Rich and Owens became the core of the Bakersfield sound, a style of country music that was influenced by rockabilly, honky-tonk, and western swing. It featured electric guitars, drums, bass, pedal steel guitar, and fiddle, creating a raw and energetic sound that contrasted with the smooth and polished Nashville sound. The Bakersfield sound also had lyrics that reflected the lives and struggles of working-class people in California.

Rich and Owens recorded many hit songs together, such as “Act Naturally”, “I’ve Got a Tiger by the Tail”, “Together Again”, “Love’s Gonna Live Here”, “My Heart Skips a Beat”, and “Streets of Bakersfield”. They also performed on the popular TV show Hee Haw from 1969 to 1974. Rich was not only Owens’ sideman, but also his co-writer, arranger, producer, and friend. They had a remarkable chemistry and harmony that made their music stand out.

Rich also led Owens’ band, the Buckaroos, which consisted of Tom Brumley on pedal steel guitar, Doyle Holly on bass, Willie Cantu on drums, and later Jay Dee Maness on pedal steel guitar and Jerry Wiggins on drums. The Buckaroos were one of the most acclaimed bands in country music history, winning several awards from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association. They also recorded several instrumental albums under their own name.

Rich was widely regarded as one of the best guitarists and fiddlers in country music. He had a distinctive style that combined speed, accuracy, tone, and emotion. He could play any genre of music with ease and flair. He influenced many other musicians, such as Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, Marty Stuart, Dwight Yoakam, Merle Haggard, Ricky Skaggs, Albert Lee, Roy Clark, Glen Campbell, and Keith Urban.

Death and Legacy

On July 17, 1974, Rich was riding his motorcycle on Highway 1 near San Luis Obispo when he collided with a truck that was turning left in front of him. He died instantly from massive head injuries. He was 32 years old.

His death devastated Owens and his fans. Owens said that he lost “my best friend” and “the best man I ever knew”. He also said that he felt like he had lost “half of my singing ability”. He went into a deep depression and stopped recording for several years. He later dedicated his comeback album Buck ‘Em! to Rich’s memory.

Rich’s death also marked the end of the golden era of the Bakersfield sound. Although some artists continued to carry on the tradition, such as Merle Haggard and Dwight Yoakam, the genre gradually faded from mainstream popularity as new styles emerged in country music.

However, Rich’s legacy lives on through his music and his influence on generations of musicians. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest country musicians of all time and a pioneer of the Bakersfield sound. He was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2019 as part of the Buckaroos. He is also honored with a star on the Bakersfield Walk of Stars and a mural in his hometown of Olympia.

Don Rich was a country music legend who left behind a rich and lasting legacy. His cause of death was a tragic accident that cut short his life and career, but his music and spirit live on in the hearts of his fans and fellow musicians. He was a true master of his craft and a loyal friend to his partner, Buck Owens. He will always be remembered as one of the finest examples of the Bakersfield sound.

Doms Desk

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