Bernard Seigal | |
---|---|
Also known as | Buddy Blue |
Born | December 30, 1957 |
Origin | Syracuse, New York |
Died | 2 April 2006 La Mesa, California |
(aged 48)
Genres | Rock and roll, rockabilly |
Occupation(s) | Musician, music critic, writer |
Instruments | Guitar |
Years active | 1975–2006 |
Labels | Rhino |
Associated acts |
The Beat Farmers Buddy Blue Band |
Website | www |
Bernard R. "Buddy Blue" Seigal (December 30, 1957 – April 2, 2006) was a San Diego musician, music critic and writer who performed and often wrote under his stage name Buddy Blue. He was a founding member of The Beat Farmers, a Southern California rock band that blended country roots music and rock 'n' roll. As a music critic, he was known for his straightforward style of critique that often used colorful language and original metaphors to either praise or lambaste musicians whom Seigal liked or disliked.
Born in Syracuse, New York, Seigal moved to San Diego in 1973 and played in several unknown bands while working as a clerk at a record store and attending community college. In 1979, he joined the Grossmont College student newspaper as a writer and was later promoted to editor.
In 1981, Seigal, a singer and guitarist, formed the rockabilly band, the Rockin' Roulettes.
In 1983, he quit the Roulettes after he was invited to join the Beat Farmers with Jerry Raney and Country Dick Montana. He took musician Rolle Love with him. The Beat Farmers eventually signed with Rhino records and became known regionally and nationally with their performances of songs such as "Happy Boy," "Riverside" and "Gun Sale at the Church."
Seigal left the Beat Farmers in 1986 to start a new band, The Jacks. A year later, he was hired as a music critic for the San Diego Reader. He would later be fired from the paper when his editors suggested he write negative reviews about local musicians whom Seigal felt did not deserve bad press.
Recording as Buddy Blue, Seigal began performing again in 1991. He released the CD Guttersnipes and Zealots in 1991, which included vocals from Southern California rockers Dave Alvin and Mojo Nixon, it featured the songs, "Duke of J Street," "Someone You Knew," and "Gun Sale at the Church." The albums Dive Bar Casanovas, Greasy Jazz, Dipsomania, Pretend It's Okay (which included a guest spot from Chris Gaffney), and Sordid Lives followed. All were recorded by either Buddy Blue or the Buddy Blue Band.