ROY CLARK DIES
Country star Roy Clark, the guitar virtuoso and singer who headlined the cornpone TV show “Hee Haw” for nearly a quarter century and was known for such hits as “Yesterday When I was Young” and “Honeymoon Feeling,” has died. He was 85.
Publicist Jeremy Westby said Clark died Thursday due to complications from pneumonia at home in Tulsa, Okla.
Clark was “Hee Haw” host or co-host for its entire 24-year run, with Buck Owens as his best known co-host. The country music and comedy show’s last episode aired in 1993.
Clark played the guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, harmonica and other instruments. His skills brought him gigs as guest performer with many top orchestras, including the Boston Pops.
And of course, he also was a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
His hits included “The Tips of My Fingers” (1963) ,“Yesterday When I Was Young” (1969) and “Come Live With Me” (1973).
He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2009.
Clark was guest host on “The Tonight Show” several times in the 1960s and 1970s when it was rare for a country performer to land such a role.
Clark told The Associated Press in 2004 that “Hee Haw” was like a family reunion.
“We became a part of the family. The viewers were sort of part owners of the show. They identified with these clowns, and we had good music.”
Clark said the hour-long program of country music and corny jokes capped off his career.
“This was the icing on the cake. This put my face and name together.”