{"id":382740,"date":"2025-11-16T10:06:16","date_gmt":"2025-11-16T10:06:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/382740\/"},"modified":"2025-11-16T10:06:16","modified_gmt":"2025-11-16T10:06:16","slug":"on-this-day-in-2018-we-said-goodbye-to-a-face-of-country-music-and-beloved-tv-host","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/382740\/","title":{"rendered":"On This Day in 2018, We Said Goodbye to a Face of Country Music and Beloved TV Host"},"content":{"rendered":"

As country singer Corey Kent once told American Songwriter<\/a>, \u201cRoy Clark was equally a frontman and equally a great rhythm guitar player, a great acoustic guitar player. I mean, world-class, one of the best to ever do it.\u201d He was also an influential country and pop singer, a frequent Tonight Show guest, and a beloved Hee Haw host. Let\u2019s take some time to remember Roy Clark, who died on this day in 2018 at age 85.<\/p>\n

Roy Clark Wore Many Hats<\/p>\n

Born April 15, 1933, in\u00a0Meherrin, Virginia, Roy Clark moved to Washington, D.C., at age 11 when his father took a job with the Washington Navy Yard. His first guitar was a four-string cigar box with a ukulele neck attached to it. He would upgrade to a real instrument at age 14, soon taking up<\/a> banjo, guitar, and mandolin.<\/p>\n

Initially touring with acts like rockabilly star Wanda Jackson, Clark eventually landed a solo deal with Capitol Records, releasing his first solo album,\u00a0The Lightning Fingers of Roy Clark, in 1962.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew the first time I saw Roy that he was bound for stardom,\u201d Jackson later told Billboard<\/a>. \u201cAnd the world agreed with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seven years after his solo debut, he scored his biggest hit to date with \u201cYesterday When I Was Young,\u201d which peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.<\/p>\n

That same year, in 1969, Roy Clark debuted alongside Buck Owens as co-host of the sketch comedy program Hee Haw. He would remain in that role until 1997, building a viewership of 30 million people.<\/p>\n

[RELATED: 4 Country Legends Who Had Only One No. 1 Single in Their Career]<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Although deeply rooted in country music, Clark became the first country artist<\/a> to play at the Montreux Jazz Festival and recorded an album with jazz artist Joe Pass in 1994.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy first CMA memory is sitting on my living room floor watching Roy Clark tear it up,\u201d\u00a0wrote fellow Entertainer of the Year Keith Urban at the time of the \u201cThank God and Greyhound\u201d singer\u2019s death.\u00a0\u201cSending my love and respect to him and his family for all he did.\u201d<\/p>\n

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My first CMA memory is sitting on my living room floor watching Roy Clark tear it up. Sending my love and respect to him and his family for all he did. \u2013 KU<\/p>\n

\u2014 Keith Urban (@KeithUrban) November 15, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Featured image by David Redfern\/Redferns\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n