Roy Clark Dead At 85; Condolences Pour In From Ricky Skaggs, Charlie Daniels, More

Image courtesy of 2911 Media – Roy Clark

Country Music Hall of Famer Roy Clark died of complications from pneumonia Nov. 15, representatives announced. 

Clark, 85, was a staple of country music and American media for more than half a century, having won Grammy, CMA and ACM awards for his music and starring on the TV show “Hee Haw” for 24 years.

 

Known as a guitar whiz, Clark played with legends like Hank Williams and Elvis Presley in his youth but didn’t find major success until his 1962 album The Lightning Fingers Of Roy Clark, which was followed by his hit song “The Tips Of My Fingers.” Other popular Clark songs include “I Never Picked Cotton,” “Thank God And Greyhound You’re Gone,” “The Lawrence Welk Hee-Haw Counter Revolution Polka,” “Come Live With Me,” “If I Had To Do It All Over Again,” and “Somewhere Between Love And Tomorrow.”

Clark’s last box office dates reported to Pollstar were in 2016, when he reported grosses of $6,228 in Fort Worth, Texas, and $13,876 in Franklin, Tenn. He was a fixture on the road, capable of filling theaters throughout the U.S. and Canada. 

One of his biggest reported shows was in 2003 when he performed two nights at Winspear Centre in Edmonton, Canada, for a gross of $67,220.

A memorial is planned in his home community of Tulsa, Okla., for the coming days. Clark is survived by his wife of 61 years Barbara, sister Susan, his children Roy Clark II, Dr. Michael Meyer, Terry Lee Meyer, Susan Mosier, and Diane Stewart, and grandchildren Brittany, Michael, Caleb, and Josiah.

Condolences poured in from many in the country world, including Ray Stevens, Ricky Skaggs, Charlie Daniels and many others.

“A great man, a great American, and a GREAT friend has gone to be with JESUS. Oh yeah, almost forgot, he could pick and grin a little bit too. REST IN PEACE, OLD FRIEND.” -Larry Gatlin / Larry, Steve & Rudy: The Gatlin Brothers

“Roy Clark helped bring country music to a whole new level with his concerts, Hee Haw, and his guest appearances on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show. He was one of the kindest and most talented people in our business. I have lost a friend, but the music world has lost a great treasure.” -TG Sheppard
 
“He was one of my best friends. One of the most talented people I have ever met. He was a true gentleman who was nice to his fans and friends. One-of-a-kind. We’ll truly miss him.” -Moe Bandy

“Roy Clark… great entertainer, great friend of my father. That’s the kind of country awesomeness I grew up with. Rest in Peace.” -Pam Tillis
 
“I had the pleasure of meeting Roy several times. We always ended up talking about airplanes. He was an aviator also, and loved it like I do. What a great talent and special man he was. He’ll be missed.” -Aaron Tippin
 
“Today, many of us have heard about the passing of Roy Clark, realizing another of the patriarchs of country music has gone on. Roy Clark brought laughter as well as his music to the true sense of entertainment. He will truly be missed.” 
-Marty Raybon / Shenandoah
 
“Roy Clark’s musicianship was second to none, period. One of the most gifted guitar players and entertainers in country music history… the smile, the slight of hand, a magician with six strings. RIP.” -Larry Stewart / Restless Heart
 
“The country music community has lost one of its greatest emissaries with the passing of Roy Clark. How many of us grew up listening to Roy on the radio and watching Roy on TV? I know I did. Hee Haw was a show I never missed. Roy did it all… he was a genuinely funny comedian and his extraordinary musicianship was inspiring to an entire generation of players. His instantly recognizable voice will never be forgotten.  Let’s all pray for peace, love and comfort for Roy’s family.” -Dave Innis / Restless Heart
 
“With the passing of Roy Clark, we have lost another legend who isn’t replaceable. Roy’s trademark guitar pickin’ and distinct voice will never be forgotten. Ride in peace.”
-Doug Gray / The Marshall Tucker Band
 
“Woke today to the sad news of Roy Clark’s passing. Yet another country music legend, from that great generation, is gone. Roy was a phenomenal musician, brilliant entertainer, and more importantly, a sweet, kind, world-class gentleman. I always enjoyed the time I had the honor of spending with him. We will miss you, Roy.” -Collin Raye
 
“My daddy always said that Roy was the best guitar picker of them all. I think he might’ve been right and we are sure going to miss him. Thanks for the music, my friend.” 
-Darryl Worley
 
“Roy Clark was one of the multi-instrumentalist my grandma introduced me to at a young age. Hearing him play ‘Under the Double Eagle’ blew my mind and challenged me to push myself. Though he may have moved on to a better place, his music and arrangements will live on to inspire generations to come, as he did me. RIP Roy.” -Craig Wayne Boyd 
 
“Roy Clark had a brilliant musical mind and found a way to turn that into entertainment…  he kept us on the edge of our seats to see what he would do next. Keep pickin’ and grinnin’, Roy.” –Billy Dean
 
“The boys and I were just talking about Roy on the bus Saturday night when Hee Haw came on. We are going to miss a hell of an entertainer. Great musician and a really funny guy. God bless him.” -Sammy Kershaw