Country Music Legend And 'Hee Haw' Star Roy Clark Dead At 85

Clark was one of the biggest country music stars of the 1960s and 70s.
LOADINGERROR LOADING

Country music entertainer Roy Clark, who crossed over to the mainstream via the long-running variety show “Hee Haw,” died Thursday at his home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was 85.

According to a statement from his publicist, Clark died due to complications from pneumonia.

Born Roy Linwood Clark in Meherrin, Virginia, in 1933, he spent part of his youth in Washington where his father played in a square dance band and inspired his son to take up the banjo and mandolin.

But it was the guitar that gave Clark his career. He got his first one when he was 14 and was playing gigs within in a year.

Clark was soon touring with country legend Hank Williams and first played the Grand Ole Opry in 1950, according to his publicist.

Clark’s career really took off in 1960 when he was invited to perform in Las Vegas. That was followed by his first country hit, “The Tips Of My Fingers.”

His biggest hit overall was “Yesterday When I Was Young,” a cover of a French song by Charles Aznavour that Clark turned into a top 20 pop hit in 1969.

Clark was a staple on both radio and TV throughout the 1960s, performing on nearly every variety show of that era.

In 1969, he got one of his own: “Hee Haw,” a rural-themed variety show he co-hosted with Buck Owens on CBS.

When the network canceled the show two-and-a-half years later, the program moved into syndication and aired until 1992.

In 1976, he became one of the first country stars to tour the Soviet Union, and in 1983 he was the first country star to open a theater in Branson, Missouri, according to USA Today. Branson has since become a major vacation destination known for its musical venues.

News of Clark’s death spurred Twitter tributes.

Growing up watching #HeeHaw, I knew nobody could pick-&-grin like the great #RoyClark. And his #YesterdayWhenIWasYoung is one of the great songs of Country or any kind of music. A true legend. We will miss him. #RIP

— Terry Fator (@terryfator) November 15, 2018

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.

— Brad Paisley (@BradPaisley) November 15, 2018

“I want to lay somethin' on you; it's not heavy and it's not to imply that you don't already do it. It's just a reminder... to all of us. The next chance you get, do somethin' nice for somebody… Here’s to love, it’s still the best!” – Roy Clark pic.twitter.com/94raMxTwts

— ACM Awards (@ACMawards) November 15, 2018

The guitar I’ve been playing onstage for the last two years is signed by the legend himself. It’s now retired. God bless my friend Roy Clark. Rest In Peace, my brother. pic.twitter.com/KtzXf1NlD5

— Chad Prather (@WatchChad) November 15, 2018

We have lost Roy Clark. Was there ever a bigger smile in country music? @USATODAY https://t.co/bMornxzNtZ #royclark #RIPRoyClark #heehaw

— David Ball (@davidballmusic) November 15, 2018

Just heard Hee Haw Star / Super Picker #RoyClark just passed away. Saw him last when we filmed #CountrysFamilyReunion He was always so kind. Heaven gained another amazing addition to the Angel Band. Rest In Peace Roy pic.twitter.com/9h70Nw66tX

— Rhonda Vincent (@RhondaVincent13) November 15, 2018

Roy Clark is dead today at age 85. When I was a kid, I was invited to play on his "Hee Haw" T.V. show that he shared with Buck Owens. Here is my performance of Sally Goodin' when I was 14, with Roy Clark and the Hew Haw gang. #RoyClark #HeeHaw (1975) https://t.co/xHZexmgtNE

— Mark O'Connor (@markoconnorband) November 15, 2018

Clark is survived by his wife of 61 years, Barbara; his sister, Susan Coryell; five children and four grandchildren.

Enjoy HuffPost Entertainment — Ad Free

We're bringing you the exclusives, scoops and hot takes on the news all your friends are talking about. Join our loyalty program to support our work and go ad-free.

You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again. We won't back down from our mission of providing free, fair news during this critical moment. But we can't do it without you.

For the first time, we're offering an ad-free experience to qualifying contributors who support our fearless journalism. We hope you'll join us.

You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again. We won't back down from our mission of providing free, fair news during this critical moment. But we can't do it without you.

For the first time, we're offering an ad-free experience to qualifying contributors who support our fearless journalism. We hope you'll join us.

Support HuffPost

A memorial celebration will be held in Tulsa at a later date.

Close

What's Hot