William "Bucky" Baxter (1955 – May 25, 2020) was an American guitarist. He is best known as a member of Steve Earle and The Dukes and as a member of Bob Dylan's backing band in the mid-90s during the Never Ending Tour. He released his only solo album, Most Likely, No Problem, in 1999.
Bucky Baxter | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | William Baxter |
| Born | 1955 Melbourne, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | (aged 65) Sanibel, Florida, U.S. |
| Genres | Country music Alternative country Rock |
| Instrument(s) | Steel guitar Acoustic guitar Electric guitar Mandolin Dobro |
| Years active | 1986–2020 |
| Formerly of | Steve Earle and the Dukes |
Early life
editBaxter was born in Melbourne, Florida, in 1955. He started learning how to play pedal steel guitar in the 1970s.[1][2] In the following decade, he met Steve Earle and played in the latter's debut album, Guitar Town in 1986.[1][3]
Career
editBaxter was a founding member of The Dukes, Earle's backing band.[1] He subsequently featured in three other albums by Earle – Exit 0 (1987),[2] Copperhead Road (1988) and The Hard Way (1990)[1] – providing vocals and guitar.[2] It was on one of Earle's concert tours in the early 1990s that he first encountered Bob Dylan, who asked Baxter to give him lessons in how to play steel guitar.[1][3] He played pedal steel guitar for Dylan's band on his Never Ending Tour from 1992 to 1999 and played pedal steel on Dylan's 1997 Grammy Award winning album, Time Out of Mind. After his time in Dylan's band came to an end, Baxter released a solo album, Most Likely, No Problem, in 1999.[1] He was one of three co-founders of Moontoast, a social rich media advertising platform.[4]
Baxter also appeared on various albums by artists including Ryan Adams, R.E.M., Beastie Boys and Joe Henry.[5] In studio, or while performing live, Baxter played steel guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin, dobro.[6][7]
Death
editBaxter died on May 25, 2020, in Sanibel Island, Florida, at the age of 65, according to his son, Rayland.[1] No cause was given.[8]
Discography
editSource:[6]
| Year | Artist | Title | Instruments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Steve Earle | Guitar Town[8] | Pedal steel guitar |
| 1987 | Exit 0[8] | Steel guitar, vocals | |
| 1988 | Copperhead Road[8] | Pedal steel, lap steel, dobro | |
| R.E.M. | Green[8] | Pedal steel guitar | |
| 1990 | Steve Earle | The Hard Way[1] | Mullins pedal steel guitar |
| 1991 | Shut Up and Die Like an Aviator | Steel guitar, electric and acoustic guitars, six-string bass | |
| 1995 | Bob Dylan | Unplugged | Dobro, pedal steel guitar, mandolin |
| 1996 | Joe Henry | Trampoline | |
| 1997 | Bob Dylan | Time Out of Mind | Acoustic guitar, pedal steel |
| 1999 | Bucky Baxter | Most Likely, No Problem | |
| Country Mike | Country Mike's Greatest Hits[8] | Pedal steel guitar, fiddle | |
| 2001 | Ryan Adams | The Suicide Handbook | Acoustic guitar |
| Gold | Steel guitar | ||
| 2002 | Demolition | Pedal steel guitar, acoustic guitar, backing vocals | |
| Los Lobos | Good Morning Aztlán | Pedal steel guitar | |
| 2003 | Cerys Matthews | Cockahoop | Producer, electric guitar, fiddle, vibraphone |
| 2005 | Ben Folds | Songs for Silverman | Pedal steel guitar, 12-string guitar |
| Willy Clay Band | Rebecca Drive | Pedal steel |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h Hudak, Joseph (May 26, 2020). "Bucky Baxter, Pedal-Steel Great Who Toured With Bob Dylan, Dead at 65". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ a b c Slingerland, Calum (May 26, 2020). "R.I.P. Acclaimed Pedal Steel Guitarist Bucky Baxter". Exclaim!. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ a b Andrewland, Stephen (May 26, 2020). "Bucky Baxter, Pedal Steel Guitarist Who Toured With Bob Dylan, Dead at 65". PopCulture.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ [1]"Venture Nashville, 2009"
- ^ Smith, William Michael (July 12, 2010). "Ex-Bob Dylan, Steve Earle Steel Player Joins Joe Pug At Mango's". Spin. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ a b "Bucky Baxter – Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ Harrington, Richard (December 6, 1997). "Bob Dylan, Unplugged and Electric". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f Kohn, Daniel (May 26, 2020). "Bucky Baxter, Bob Dylan and R.E.M. Pedal-Steel Guitarist, Dies at 65". Spin. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- Gray, Michael. The Bob Dylan Encyclopedia, 2006, p. 41
External links
edit- Bucky Baxter discography at Discogs