BIOGRAPHY
Roy Buchanan (September 23, 1939 – August 14, 1988) was an American blues guitarist and musician. A pioneer of the Telecaster sound, Buchanan worked both as a session musician and as a solo artist.
Buchanan was born in Ozark, Arkansas, and began playing guitar at the age of 10. He was influenced by country and blues musicians such as Hank Williams, Merle Travis, and T-Bone Walker. He later moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he worked as a session musician. In the early 1960s, he toured with Dale Hawkins and recorded with Jimmy Reed.
In the 1970s, Buchanan released several solo albums and toured with his own band. He also appeared on several television shows, including The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and The Merv Griffin Show.
Buchanan's guitar playing was featured in the documentary film Let It Be (1970). He was inducted into the Guitar Player Hall of Fame in 2005.
Buchanan died of heart failure in 1988.