09/21/2026
In 1974, on September 1, 2 and 3 The mysteriously wonderful Roy Buchanan performed at the Armadillo World Headquarters. Opening for Roy was another headliner, Bugs Henderson, featuring Lynn Groom. Roy and the 'dillo staff had a special bond and he'd spend a lot of time hanging out and visiting. Sometimes he'd roam around to the production office and sit by Leea Mechling, who answered the phones most days and he'd hold one of the 'dillo kids while just chatting. Ya know; like people do.
Guy Juke created the amazing poster that advertised the show and immediately became a much sought after collectible. If you have one, count yourself lucky.
Guy Juke (born 1951), has been an Austin, Texas based graphic artist and musician since moving here in 1973 from San Angelo, Texas. He started his career by writing and illustrating underground comics. As a poster artist he has created memorable imagery for nightclubs such as Armadillo World Headquarters.
His work is recognized for its darkly detailed, often shadowy and angular figures inspired by horror films, haunting western landscapes, and loopy cartoon characters. Performers such as Joe Ely, B-52s, Willie Nelson, Frank Zappa, Talking Heads, Pavarotti and Asleep At The Wheel, Roy Buchanan are all immortalized via his graphic design.
As a musician he has performed as a guitarist with Butch Hancock, Doak Snead, Ponty Bone and the Cornell Hurd Band as Blackie White. Juke created the logos and posters for author and musician Kinky Friedman's 2006 campaign for Texas Governor. He is also credited with the cover art of The Ramones 1981 album Pleasant Dreams. Until his split with Carnaval producer, Mike Quinn, Juke had created the most Carnaval posters to date.
Now, back to Roy.
Roy Buchanan was an American guitarist and blues-rock pioneer known as the master of the "Telecaster sound". Despite never achieving mainstream commercial stardom, his revolutionary techniques—including pinch harmonics, volume swells, and incredible string-bending—deeply influenced legends like Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, and Eric Clapton.
He started playing professionally as a teenager, touring with rockabilly star Dale Hawkins (playing the solo on "My Babe") and later joining Ronnie Hawkins' backing band, where he mentored a young Robbie Robertson. After years of playing local bars, his talent was brought to national attention by a 1971 PBS television documentary titled The Best Unknown Guitarist in the World. He signed with Polydor Records, releasing acclaimed records like his self-titled debut and Second Album. Both earned gold status. Rumors heavily circulated during this era that the Rolling Stones asked him to join the band, though he reportedly turned them down to maintain his artistic independence. After growing disillusioned with commercial studio formatting in the late '70s, he returned to his raw blues roots with Alligator Records, releasing three fiery albums including When a Guitar Plays the Blues.
His signature sound came almost exclusively from a 1953 Fender Telecaster nicknamed "Nancy." He ran it straight into a Fender Vibrolux amplifier with the volume maxed, controlling his tone entirely from the guitar's dials. Guitar Player magazine posthumously praised him as having one of the "50 Greatest Tones of All Time" due to his ability to make the Telecaster mimic a steel guitar, a violin, or a crying voice without using any effects pedals.
This link will take you to film footage of Roy Buchanan at the AWHQ, filmed by ‘dillo staffer and graphic artist Bill Narum. https://youtu.be/XQfJm9GKtp8?si=53pz3t0UQdC2WJfv
What were Roy Buchanan’s Signature Songs?
• "The Messiah Will Come Again": His most famous, hauntingly emotional instrumental track featuring a spoken-word intro and searing guitar soloing. Here is a link to that song: https://youtu.be/deeBQZ8Aklc?si=J1K5NHuh-dcTqA0D
• "Sweet Dreams": A beautiful, soaring cover of the Don Gibson country ballad that highlighted his vocal-like string bending. Listen to Sweet Dreams here: https://youtu.be/swX9oq6TVAU?si=e1ahq5kcZqVpB23E
• "Roy’s Bluz": A showcase of his raw, aggressive, and highly technical approach to the traditional 12-bar blues format. Roy performs Roy’s Bluz here AND the show he taped for Austin City Limits in November 1976: https://youtu.be/ercFPEpC0hc?si=pJo7xB77fG3OFcAD
Tragically, Buchanan's career was cut short when he passed away on August 14, 1988, at the age of 48. Listen to his music once and you'll never forget it. Or him.
