How many kids who grew up in the 1970s and 80s remember the TV show “Hee Haw?” How many remember Roy Clark?
Well, some sad news for all of us came Thursday. “Country star Roy Clark, the legendary singer and multi-instrumentalist with an ear-to-ear smile who headlined the hit TV show ‘Hee Haw’ for nearly a quarter century, has died,” reported Fox News Thursday.
Clark was 85. He reportedly died at his home in Tulsa, Oklahoma due to complications from pneumonia.
Clark hosted the country music-themed variety show “Hee Haw” for all of its 24 years on the air along with fellow country music legend Buck Owens. “Hee Haw’s” last episode aired in 1993.
As a longtime member of Nashville’s prestigious Grand Ole Opry, Clark was multi-instrumental, playing guitar, fiddle, banjo, and the harmonica, to name a few. “His skills brought him gigs as a guest performer with many top orchestras, including the Boston Pops,” Fox News noted. “In 1976 he even headlined a tour of the Soviet Union, breaking boundaries that were usually closed to Americans.”
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Clark was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2009. “He’s honest,” said fellow Country Music Hall of Famer Harold Bradley when Clark was inducted in 2009. “Whether he’s playing guitar or singing, he’s honest. Whatever he does, he sparkles.”
The popularity of Clark as a musical artist but especially as the host of “Hee Haw,” allowed him to guest host The Tonight Show on multiple occasions during the 1960s and 70s.
Country star Brad Paisley paid tribute to Clark on Twitter Thursday.
“Roy Clark shaped my path. My Papaw introduced me to his music as a toddler. Every Saturday we’d watch Hee Haw. My first guitar book was a Roy Clark guitar method. I practiced his style, then practiced making his facial expressions. He was a hero. And so many have the same story.”
Country legend Charlie Daniels tweeted also.
“Just got word that Roy Clark has passed. I’ve known him for 60 years and he was a fine musician and entertainer Rest In Peace Buddy, you will be remembered.”
Many country music stars paid their respects.
A memorial celebration of Roy Clark’s life will take place in Tulsa soon with the details yet to come.
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