Musician. Best remembered as the co-founder and guitarist for the influential alternative rock band, 10,000 Maniacs. Born in Jamestown, New York, he began playing at the age of 6 and became a professional lead guitarist by age 16. In 1981, he formed the band, "10,000 Maniacs" in Jamestown with musicians John Lombardo, Dennis Drew, Steve Gustafson and singer Natalie Merchant. With drummer Jerry Augustyniak completing the classic lineup, the band became a national success and won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album, "Blind Man's Zoo" (1989). Other essential 10,000 Maniacs albums include: "In My Tribe" (1987), "Our Time in Eden" (1992), "MTV Unplugged" (1993), "Love Among the Ruins" (1997) and "The Earth Pressed Flat" (1999). Buck also co-wrote many of the group's best number one singles with Natalie Merchant such as: "These Are Days", "What's the Matter Here?" and "Hey Jack Kerouac". He continued to perform with the band until his death in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from complications of liver failure at age 42.
Musician. Best remembered as the co-founder and guitarist for the influential alternative rock band, 10,000 Maniacs. Born in Jamestown, New York, he began playing at the age of 6 and became a professional lead guitarist by age 16. In 1981, he formed the band, "10,000 Maniacs" in Jamestown with musicians John Lombardo, Dennis Drew, Steve Gustafson and singer Natalie Merchant. With drummer Jerry Augustyniak completing the classic lineup, the band became a national success and won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album, "Blind Man's Zoo" (1989). Other essential 10,000 Maniacs albums include: "In My Tribe" (1987), "Our Time in Eden" (1992), "MTV Unplugged" (1993), "Love Among the Ruins" (1997) and "The Earth Pressed Flat" (1999). Buck also co-wrote many of the group's best number one singles with Natalie Merchant such as: "These Are Days", "What's the Matter Here?" and "Hey Jack Kerouac". He continued to perform with the band until his death in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from complications of liver failure at age 42.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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"Rob"
Guitarist and Songwriter
Sadly Missed by "Mom," Bandmembers and The World
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