CLOSE

Roy Clark has died at 85 years old. He was known for being a co-host on “Hee Haw” and was a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Ayrika L Whitney, The Tennessean

Buy Photo

Roy Clark won the Entertainer of the Year award during the 1973 and 1974 Academy of Country Music Awards show. Here, he is performing during the “Lewis and Clark Entertainment Expedition” benefit show at the Municipal Auditorium in 1975.(Photo: Frank Empson / The Tennessean)Buy Photo

Country Music Hall of Fame member Roy Clark, a versatile entertainer who starred on the iconic television show “Hee Haw,” died Thursday at his Tulsa, Oklahoma home due to complications from pneumonia, according to his publicist. He was 85 years old. 

A fleet-fingered instrumentalist best known for his 24 years as co-host of the long-running country themed comedy show, the affable Clark was one of country music’s most beloved ambassadors. 

Presenter Roy Clark, center, makes eyes at Miss Country Music, a hostess, while master of ceremonies Tennessee Ernie Ford attempts to move Clark along during the CMA Awards show Oct. 25, 1969.

Buy Photo

Tammy Wynette receives the Female Vocalist of the Year award from presenter Roy Clark during the CMA Awards show at the Ryman Auditorium on Oct. 15, 1969.

Buy Photo

Big winner Johnny Cash, left, joins other CMA award winners on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium to sing a chorus of

Buy Photo

Master of ceremonies Tennessee Ernie Ford, right, mops the fevered brow of Roy Clark during the nationwide telecast of the CMA Awards show Oct. 14, 1970. Clark won the Comedian of the Year award.

Buy Photo

Appearing almost overcome with his Song of the Year award, Kris Kristofferson nervously tries to get his distance on the microphone offered by presenter Roy Clark during the CMA Awards show Oct. 14, 1970.

Buy Photo

Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner, center, speak to the audience after winning the Duet Group of the Year award during the CMA Awards show at the Ryman Auditorium on Oct. 10, 1971. Looking on are presenters Roy Clark, left, and Merle Haggard.

Buy Photo

Roy Clark, second from right, and family make their strings sing Dec. 10, 1972, in a surprise performance at the Grand Ole Opry. Playing the mandolin, left, is Uncle Dudley, while Uncle Paul waits poised with his fiddle and Roy and his father, Hester, right, work on their guitars.

Buy Photo

Roy Clark shows off his talents for the audience at the seventh annual CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 15, 1973. Clark went on to win the coveted Entertainer of the Year award.

Buy Photo

Roy Clark shows off his talents for the audience at the seventh annual CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 15, 1973. Clark went on to win the coveted Entertainer of the Year award.

Buy Photo

Roy Clark, right, receives congratulations from presenter Eddy Arnold after winning the coveted Entertainer of the Year award at the seventh annual CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 15, 1973.

Buy Photo

Roy Clark, right, accepts the coveted Entertainer of the Year award at the seventh annual CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 15, 1973. Looking on is presenter Eddy Arnold.

Buy Photo

Roy Clark, right, and Buck Trent perform at the Music City Pro-Celebrity Golf Tournament sponsors party at Opryland on Oct. 10, 1974.

Buy Photo

Roy Clark, right, and Buck Trent perform at the Music City Pro-Celebrity Golf Tournament sponsors party at Opryland on Oct. 10, 1974.

Buy Photo

Roy Clark, right, and Buck Trent perform at the Music City Pro-Celebrity Golf Tournament sponsors party at Opryland on Oct. 10, 1974.

Buy Photo

Roy Clark, right, and Buck Trent perform at the Music City Pro-Celebrity Golf Tournament sponsors party at Opryland on Oct. 10, 1974.

Buy Photo

Country music entertainer Roy Clark, center, is all smiles as he signs autographs for fans during a break at the 10th annual Music City Pro-Celebrity Golf Tournament on Oct. 12, 1974.

Buy Photo

Roy Clark performs at the new Grand Ole Opry House during the eighth annual CMA Awards show Oct. 14, 1974.

Buy Photo

Roy Clark, left, and Jerry Lewis perform for a few laughs during the

Buy Photo

Roy Clark performs during the

Buy Photo

Roy Clark performs during the

Buy Photo

Roy Clark performs during the

Buy Photo

Roy Clark shows off his fiddle skills during the taping of

Buy Photo

Roy Clark performs during the taping of

Buy Photo

Roy Clark finishes a song during the taping of

Buy Photo

Co-host Roy Clark, who earlier won the Instrumental Group of the Year award with Buck Trent, performs during the CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 11, 1976.

Buy Photo

Co-hosts Johnny Cash, left, and Roy Clark say goodnight at the end of the CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 11, 1976.

Buy Photo

Roy Clark, left, Mack Smith, Gordie Tapp, Diane Sherill and Buck McPherson share a moment at the fundraising show and dinner for the Citizens for the Metropolitan Council political committee at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds on June 23, 1977.

Buy Photo

Ruth Buzzi, left, veteran of TV's original

Buy Photo

Ruth Buzzi, left, veteran of TV's original

Buy Photo

Ruth Buzzi, left, veteran of TV's original

Buy Photo

Roy Clark, right, is joined by Larry Gatlin, left, Mac Davis, Danny Davis, Jerry Clower, June Carter and Chet Atkins for a performance during the 11th annual CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 10, 1977.

Buy Photo

Johnny Cash, left, and host Roy Clark enjoy a little lighthearted clowning on the Grand Ole Opry House stage during the afternoon's rehearsal for the three-hour NBC

Buy Photo

Johnny Cash, left, and host Roy Clark enjoy a little lighthearted clowning on the Grand Ole Opry House stage during the afternoon's rehearsal for the three-hour NBC

Buy Photo

The entire cast and special guests perform the opening number

Buy Photo

Popular

Buy Photo

Popular

Buy Photo

Ronnie Milsap, left, with presenter Roy Clark looking on, accepts his Album of the Year award during the 12th annual CMA Awards show Oct. 9, 1978. Milsap won the honor with

Buy Photo

Roy Clark, right, and Woody Herman perform during a taping of the

Buy Photo

Roy Clark, left, and Woody Herman perform during a taping of the

Buy Photo

Former CMA Entertainers of the Year Mel Tillis, left, and Roy Clark talk about

Buy Photo

William Banowsky, center, president of Dallas-based Gaylord Broadcasting Co., jokes with co-hosts Buck Owens, left, and Roy Clark during a visit June 18, 1985, to the Nashville set of

Buy Photo

Hosts Barbara Eden and Roy Clark introduce the next act during the nationally televised sixth annual National Songwriter Awards show at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center on Jan. 13, 1986.

Buy Photo

Bob Hope, left, shares a joke with his friend Roy Clark during a reception and dinner in Clark's honor,

Buy Photo

Bob Hope, left, jokes with his friend Roy Clark during a reception and dinner in Clark's honor,

Buy Photo

Bob Hope, left, jokes with his friend Roy Clark during a reception and dinner in Clark's honor,

Buy Photo

Buy Photo

Minnie Pearl tells Roy Clark he's the finest entertainer she's ever seen during a reception and dinner in Clark's honor,

Buy Photo

Roy Clark, left, and Chet Atkins share a moment before a taping May 26, 1999, for the

Buy Photo

Roy Clark accepts the Minnie Pearl humanitarian award during the TNN/Music City News Awards show June 14, 1999.

Buy Photo

The Country Music Association announces Feb. 4, 2009, that Roy Clark, left, Barbara Mandrell and Charlie McCoy will become the newest members of the coveted Country Music Hall of Fame. Clark will be inducted in the

Buy Photo

Roy Clark and Barbara Mandrell share a moment on the red carpet during the Country Music Hall of Fame's Medallion Ceremony on May 17, 2009.

Buy Photo

Roy Clark, left, is inducted by Hall of Fame member Little Jimmy Dickens during the Country Music Hall of Fame's Medallion Ceremony on May 17, 2009.

Buy Photo

Roy Clark, left, and Barbara Mandrell applaud Charlie McCoy during the Country Music Hall of Fame's Medallion Ceremony on May 17, 2009. All three were inducted at the ceremony.

Buy Photo

Roy Clark sings

Buy Photo

Roy Clark performs during the 85th birthday celebration of the Grand Ole Opry on Oct. 9, 2010.

Buy Photo

Roy Clark, left, and Charlie McCoy perform a tribute to Jimmy Dean during the Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony at the Hall of Fame on Oct. 24, 2010.

Buy Photo

Roy Clark performs during the 2011 CMA Music Festival in downtown Nashville on June 12, 2011.

Buy Photo

Roy Clark, right, performs with Buck Trent during the CMA Music Festival in downtown Nashville on June 12, 2011.

Buy Photo

Roy Clark, right, performs on the

Buy Photo

Roy Clark gets applause from the audience of

Buy Photo

Roy Clark laughs with the audience of

Buy Photo

Roy Clark arrives on the red carpet for the ACM Honors

Buy Photo

Roy Clark gets a standing ovation after performing

Buy Photo

Roy Clark walks the red carpet during the Country Music

Buy Photo

Roy Clark and Brad Paisley perform during the CMA Awards

Autoplay

Show Thumbnails

Show Captions

“He’s honest,” said fellow Country Music Hall of Famer Harold Bradley when Clark was inducted in 2009. “Whether he’s playing guitar or singing, he’s honest. Whatever he does, he sparkles.”

Roy Linwood Clark was born Apr. 15, 1933 in Meherrin, Virginia. The oldest of five children, he grew up in a musical family.

He learned how to play banjo and mandolin at a early age, but it was the guitar that spoke to him. “When I strummed the strings for the first time, something clicked inside me,” he told The Tennessean in 1987. 

► Reactions: Fans, fellow country musicians remember Roy Clark

Within weeks of learning his first chords, the teenage Clark was playing behind his father at area square dances. Not long after that, he was performing on local radio and television. 

“The camera was very kind to me, and I consider myself to be a television baby,” Clark said in 2009. “At first, it wasn’t that I was so talented, but they had to fill time…So they’d say, ‘Well, let’s get the kid.’ Later, I got to where when I looked at the camera, I didn’t see a mechanical device. I saw a person.” 

While still in his teens, he worked briefly on a show fronted by Hank Williams, became a national banjo champion, and was invited to perform on the Grand Ole Opry.  

Clark’s deft musicianship caught the ear of Jimmy Dean, who performed on television and radio in the Washington, D.C. area. Dean hired the young musician, then fired him due to his repeated tardiness. “He said, ‘Clark, you’re gonna be a big star someday, but right now I can’t afford to have someone like you around,” Clark remembered in a 1988 Tennessean article.

Dean’s prediction came true, eventually, but during his early days in Nashville, the unknown Clark and banjo player David “Stringbean” Akeman worked any stage they could find. “We would play drive-in theaters, standing on top of the projection booth,” Clark told The Tennessean in 2009. “If the people liked it, they’d honk their horns.”

Buy Photo

Roy Clark’s instructional guitar books, including the one seen here in a 1979 Tennessean ad, inspired countless pickers, including a young Brad Paisley. (Photo: Tennessean)

Las Vegas to Leningrad

In 1960, Clark joined rockabilly/country artist Wanda Jackson’s band, playing guitar and opening her shows at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas.

Jackson was on Capitol Records, and after Ken Nelson, the label’s A&R man, heard Clark at one of her concerts, he signed him.

As a solo artist, Clark’s breakout came in 1963 when his version of Bill Anderson’s “Tips of My Fingers” hit No. 10 on the country charts, and he found crossover success with the 1969 smash “Yesterday, When I Was Young.” (In 1995, he performed that song at Mickey Mantle’s funeral.) 

In 1992, Steve Wariner also recorded “Tips of My Fingers,” and his rendition went higher on the charts than Clark’s had three decades earlier. Anderson still laughs when he remembers Clark’s reaction: “Steve and I were backstage at the Opry, and Roy comes walking in. He doesn’t look up, and he doesn’t say ‘Hello.’ He gets right up even with us, and he just holds his hand out and says, ‘I’ve put (the song) back in the act.’ Steve and I just hit the floor.” 

When “Hee Haw” premiered in 1969, Clark’s role as Buck Owens’ comedic foil endeared him to country fans and introduced him to new audiences.on “Hee Haw.” This, combined with hits like “Thank God and Greyhound” and “Come Live with Me,” made him one of the genre’s most popular stars.  

He won the Country Music Association’s Comedian of the Year Award in 1970 and the Entertainer of the Year Award in 1973; later in the decade he won a slew of CMA Instrumentalist of the Year Awards, both as a solo musician and with Buck Trent. At the 25th annual Grammy Awards, his recording of “Alabama Jubilee” won the Best Country Instrumentalist Performance award.

As an entertainer, Clark forged his own trail. He became one of the first country stars to tour the Soviet Union when he embarked on an 18-date excursion with the Oak Ridge Boys. Twelve years later, he returned to the U.S.S.R. for a “friendship tour.”

He was also first country star to open a theater in Branson, Missouri. The Roy Clark Celebrity Theater opened in 1983 and several other artists followed him to the tourist-friendly town. 

In 1987, Clark became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2009 alongside Barbara Mandrell and Charlie McCoy. 

“Roy Clark made best use of his incredible talent, said Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young in a statement on Thursday morning. “He was both a showman and a virtuoso, with a love of music that beamed across air waves and into millions of living rooms, where families gathered to watch and listen.”

When the Country Music Association celebrated the 50th annual CMA Awards in 2016, Clark, seated with a five-string banjo on his lap, and Paisley helped kick off the show. They played a snippet of Buck Owens’ “Tiger By the Tail,” but it was their reenactment of Owens and Clark’s famous “Hee Haw” lines that brought the loudest cheers:

“I’m a-pickin’…”

“…and I’m a-grinnin’.” 

After the awards, Paisley wrote on Twitter, “I will never, ever get over this moment.”

Clark is preceded in death by grandson Elijah Clark. He is survived by Barbara, his wife of 61 years, his sons Roy Clark II and wife Karen, Dr. Michael Meyer and wife Robin, Terry Lee Meyer, Susan Mosier and Diane Stewart, and his grandchildren: Brittany Meyer, Michael Meyer, Caleb Clark, Josiah Clark, and his sister, Susan Coryell.

A memorial celebration will be held in the coming days in Tulsa. Details are forthcoming. 

► Country music news, straight from Music City:  Subscribe to The Tennessean for less than $1 per month

Read or Share this story: https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2018/11/15/roy-clark-dead-85/1978910002/