Buddy "Bugs" Henderson

Born: October 20, 1943
Died: March 9, 2012

http://www.dallasnews.com/entertainment/columnists/mario-tarradell/20120309-texas-blues-guitar-legend-bugs-henderson-dies-at-68.ece?ssimg=496120#ssStory497009 

http://www.bugshenderson.com/bh/index.asp 

Bugs Henderson

Died: March 9, 2012, at Home

A Celebration of Bugs Henderson's life will be held beginning at 3 p.m. into the evening, March 13, 2012 at Moore's Store in Ben Wheeler, Texas (1551 FM 279 - 75754). All are invited to gather and share stories, music, laughter and tears as we honor and celebrate his life and what he has meant to each of us. The celebration will be an open house event so come at your leisure in casual attire. You are encouraged to wear your checked Van's or red tennis shoes to honor his classic style. 
Bugs died Friday, March 9th at his home surrounded by family & friends losing his battle with liver cancer. 

 

Bugs Henderson was born October 20, 1943 in Palm Springs, California. He was born "Buddy Henderson", it wasn't until much later that he took on the nickname "Bugs". Bugs father, Reece Henderson, was a geophysicist working in the oil and gas industry causing the family to relocate often through much of the South Central United States. However, by his high school years, the family had put down roots in Tyler Texas. It was here that Bugs was first inspired to pick up the guitar. He was awed by Elvis, however, it was when he saw Ronnie "Mouse" Weiss playing guitar at Bergfeld Park that Bugs thought that perhaps he too could learn to play the guitar. Bugs formed his first band, the Emanons (which is No Name spelled backwards) with his lifelong best friend, Fred Decker. Thus begins the legendary career of Bugs Henderson, which could fill volumes and it did fill over 50 years and 20 albums. 

 

Bugs had an enormous influence on generations of players starting in the 60's. He joined his idol and now friend, Ronnie "Mouse" Weiss, in the band "Mouse & the Traps" who had the top 100 hit "Public Execution". It was during this time that the moniker "Bugs" came into being. Everyone began calling him "Bugs Bunny" because his guitar playing was so darn fast. He had no interest in being known for anything 'bunny' so "Bugs" is what stuck.

 

A succession of bands & axes filled the next several decades. 
Bugs has shared the stage with so many of his idols including B.B. King, Albert King, James Burton, Link Wray, Les Paul and Freddie King. It was Freddie King, his friend & mentor, who convinced Bugs to stop being the hired gun in someone else's band and to form his own band. Bugs reputation began to spread during his many infamous years at the Cellar. 
It was at the Cellar that he met his wife, Duchess. They were married on January 10, 1968 and they spent the next 29 years together. They had 4 children, Shawn, Buddy, Cody & Rose. Bugs was a consummate family man, often choosing his kids baseball games over lucrative gigs & long stints on the road. He often commented that had he achieved the level of fame that many felt that he is due, he would not have been able to have the life he enjoyed with his family as his kids were home & growing up. The family often traveled with Bugs helping keep him sane on the road. His kids shared the stage with him, Rosie singing, Cody playing rhythm guitar and Buddy playing drums with the band from the age of 16 to this day. 

 

Bugs' first album "At Last" recorded live at the Armadillo World Headquarters in Austin was released in 1978 and it instantly secured his place in the Texas Blues' hierarchy. Over 20 albums later, Bugs has a freakishly popular cult following in the U.S. as well as Europe & Scandinavia. In 1986, Jimmy Wallace introduced Bugs to Paul Reed Smith, an up and coming luthier. It was an immediate & long lasting relationship. Most recognize Bugs iconic red guitar which Paul customized specifically for Bugs style of playing & tone control. 

Bugs played with a joy and command of his instrument that audiences recognize and admire. Other players continually try to figure out his unorthodox style, many tones & complex often deeply disturbing technique. As Bugs music career matured, so did his skills as a singer & songwriter. His entire life was expressed through his music. It has been said that he wore his heart on his strings. 

 

After losing his wife Duchess in 1998, Bugs began a new chapter in his life with his now wife Patty Anne and their daughter Zoey living in the Piney Woods of Jefferson, Texas. Bugs has said that the order of importance in his life is simple: family, music, career. His wife and children were always his number one love and concern. His children want everyone to know that he is the greatest man they have ever known. 

 

Bugs is preceded in death by his parents Reece & Elizabeth Henderson and Harry Fisher, as well as brothers, Bob & Kim. Survivors include wife, Patty Anne, children Shawn, Buddy, Cody, Rose & Zoey, grandchildren Makayla Risner, Maddysin Henderson, Elizabeth Henderson, Ashton Takakura, Duchess Henderson, Jack Henderson, Miley & Cash Henderson, Dave, Justin, Emily & Josephina Henderson. 

Memorial donations may be made at benefitbugs.com, bugshenderson.com  

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh34QgI8O54&list=PLx6U23rqE5pxzoezx57YcmY3SmbSktXft&feature=share&index=1