Guitarist gave Japanese sound to country song
This week in 1972: The United States extended diplomatic recognition to Bangladesh; the first major league baseball strike was settled after two weeks; the United States began massive bombing of Haiphong in North Vietnam; and a singer from Sherman, Texas, had his 57th hit record.
You may have wondered how the pickers came up with that Japanese sound on Buck Owens 1972 hit record “Made In Japan.” Well, wonder or not, I’m gonna tell you.
Buck Owens and Don Rich played a harmony line on guitars related to what’s called a “Japanese pentatonic scale.” (And a note to all you guitar virtuosos out there — PLEASE do not send me a long-winded explanation of what that means because I really don’t care!)
Anyway, Don Rich added a fiddle part to create that rather authentic Japanese sound.
“Made In Japan” was written by Bob Morris and his wife, Faye.
According to Owens, Bob Morris had been exposed to a lot of Japanese music as he had served in Japan in the Armed Forces. Owens’ Capitol Records single “Made In Japan” entered the country music charts April 29, 1972, and was in the top slot on July 15th.
It was Bucks’ 57th charted song and his 20th No. 1. The record was produced by Ken Nelson.
Owens placed 90 songs on the country music charts between 1959 and 1989 — including 21 No. 1s. Nineteen of those 90 country chart songs also placed on the pop charts. His 90 charted country hits also included duets with Rose Maddox, Buddy Alan, Susan Raye, Emmylou Harris, Dwight Yoakam and Ringo Starr.
Owens was inducted into The Country Music Hall Of Fame in 1996.
Alvis Edgar (Buck) Owens died in 2006.
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