Who is the unsung hero of the blues

A.� His name is Roy Buchanan.

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Q.� Not a name that's instantly familiar.< xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

A.� Maybe not, but his reputation as a musician and an influence make Roy Buchanan worthy of the accolade 'the guitarist's guitarist'�- lauded by ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons, maestro Jeff Beck, and The Band's Robbie Robertson have all copied Buchanan's style, but acknowledged him as the master of the soulful guitar blues.

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Roy Buchanan was born in Pixley, California in 1940. His father was a farmer and a Pentecostal minister, and the young Roy's initial introduction to music came via the mixed-race revival meetings he attended with his parents. As a child, Buchanan enjoyed listening to late-night blues shows on the local radio stations, but because the music of his area was country, when he expressed an interest in guitar lessons, his parents signed him up with the local steel guitar tutor, Mrs Pressure. Buchanan recalls that Mrs Pressure would cry each time he made a mistake, which probably wasn't often; he was a superbly gifted musician and learned quickly.

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Q.� How does a country steel player pick up a reputation as a blues master

A.� Roy Buchanan bought his first Fender Telecaster when he was thirteen. He enjoyed the unique tone of the Telecaster, it reminded him of the steel guitar on which he learned. Once Buchanan had his Telecaster, he set about mastering every single sound he could make, developing the unique 'crying' tone that became his personal trademark.

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At fifteen, Buchanan ran away from home to join in the growing blues scene in Los Angeles. One of the first musicians he met was Johnny Otis, soon to be a major player on the blues scene, and he in turn introduced the young maestro to Jimmy Nolan who went on to play with James Brown, and the legendary Johnny 'Guitar' Watson�- these musicians are Buchanan's own heroes, although his personal playing skills were growing rapidly.

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Q.� Where did Buchanan obtain his unique reputation

A.� Having travelled to Canada in 1960 to hook up with Ronnie Hawkins and The Hawks, Buchanan was happy to educate Hawkins' young bass player, one Robbie Robertson who took The Hawks through their metamorphosis into The Band and their own place in pop history with Bob Dylan.

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Having been invited to join The Rolling Stones as replacement for the increasingly unreliable Brian Jones, Buchanan refused, unwilling to play in another band, realising that artistic freedom was something he had always wanted.

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Buchanan's profile took a stratospheric leap after the broadcast of a TV documentary, The Best Unknown Guitarist In The World, which was only partly true�- he was only unknown to music fans, music makers knew him well, it was his legendary reputation as a session player that led to his invitation to join The Stones.

Q.� What happened after the broadcast

A.� A contract with Polydor Records came as a direct result of the buzz created by the TV show, and Buchanan made five albums for the label, followed by three more albums for Atlantic Records, and a gruelling touring schedule.

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Q.� Fame and fortune then

A.� Yes, but frustration and unhappiness as well. Buchanan found himself utterly disgusted by the repeated attempts of his record labels to try and present him as a 'pop star', an odd decision given his deeply religious persona, and his homely personal image. In 1981, Buchanan stopped recording, vowing to return only if he was given the artistic freedom he craved so badly.

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Q.� So that was that

A.� Not quite. Four years later, Alligator Records offered Buchanan complete control over his recording career if he would sign for them. He did, cutting his When A Guitar Sings The Blues album�instantly restoring his commercial reputation, which joined his undimmed personal reputation. Buchanan often told interviewers that everything prior to this had been 'Sunday morning recordings' and this was his first genuine blues album. Over the next two years, two more albums followed, until his untimely death in 1988.

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Q.� What happened

A.� Roy Buchanan was, and always had been a deeply religious man, content to live quietly with his family, except when on the road when an increasing alcohol problem released demons he found�hard to control. Arrested on a drunk and disorderly charge, Roy Buchanan hanged himself in his police cell using his shirt. His family refuse to accept his death as suicide, but his death robbed the music world of one of its greatest innovators.

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When the list of greatest ever guitarists is drawn up, Roy Buchanan will be right up at the top of it, a peerless combination of style, technique, and influence. Interested guitar fans should check out his first two Polydor albums, and find out exactly how a Fender Telecaster can be made to sound. Awesome.

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