Don Rich

Donald Eugene Ulrich (August 15, 1941 – July 17, 1974), best known by the stage name Don Rich, was an American country musician who helped develop the Bakersfield sound in the early 1960s. He was a noted guitarist and fiddler, and a member of The Buckaroos, the backing band of his best friend, country singer Buck Owens. Rich was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1974 at the age of 32.

Early life and career Donald Eugene Ulrich was born in Olympia, Washington, on August 15, 1941. The adopted son of Bill and Anne Ulrich, he grew up in nearby Tumwater, living at 6th and Ferry on Tumwater Hill, then later in a log house near Trosper Road and Capitol Blvd., next to his father's barbering business. His parents taught Rich the fiddle as early as age 3; his father built a small-scale violin for him. His parents entered Rich in numerous talent contests, and he played at various events. He also began playing the guitar at an early age.

While attending Olympia High School (from which he graduated in 1959), Rich played at various local venues including with the high-school orchestra. In September 1957, at age 16, he opened for Elvis Presley at the Tacoma Lincoln Bowl. He formed a rock-and-roll band called the Blue Comets with his friends, drummer Greg Hawkins and pianist Steve Anderson. By 1958, Rich was playing regularly at Steve's Gay '90s Restaurant in South Tacoma. Buck Owens, who was living in Tacoma while working at radio station KAYE, attended one of his shows and immediately went to speak with him; Rich was soon playing fiddle with Owens at local venues. on the country music charts, and he returned to Bakersfield, California, to do more recording for Capitol Records.

Owens and Rich continued recording singles in Bakersfield. In 1961, "Foolin' Around" spent eight weeks in the No. 2 slot. "Only You (Can Break My Heart)", and "Buckaroo", 50 minutes after the incident was reported. California Highway Patrol officials stated that no skid marks and no apparent mechanical problems were found. Reports indicated that Owens had pleaded with Rich not to take his motorcycle that day and had been pleading with him for years to quit riding.

Owens was devastated by Rich's death and did not discuss it in interviews for years. In a late-1990s interview, Owens said: "He was like a brother, a son, and a best friend. Something I never said before, maybe I couldn't, but I think my music life ended when he died. Oh yeah, I carried on and I existed, but the real joy and love, the real lightning and thunder is gone forever."

Years after Rich's death, Marlane married Larry Dunivent and had two children. She continues to stay involved in Rich's legacy.

Musical equipment Rich used primarily Fender guitars and amplifiers. In the early days, he played Owens' 1951 Fender Telecaster through a Fender Bassman amplifier. In 1964, Fender gave Owens an endorsement deal and the band gained instruments. Rich received a Telecaster that had both its body and headstock finished in champagne metal flake in addition to having checkerboard binding on both sides of the guitar's body. That finish was somewhat rough because it contained crushed glass. The band also received other Fender amplifiers, so Rich played through a Twin Reverb amplifier.

Rich had a one-off Telecaster-ish Red Mosrite that is in possession of the Owens estate. Owens and Rich received new guitars in 1966, a pair of Silver Flake Telecasters that were double bound in plain black. Also around 1966, Owens had Bakersfield guitar repairman/technic Gene Moles finish another set of guitars in red, white, and blue. Fender also gave Rich a Gold Sparkle Telecaster in the late 1960s that was bound in plain black. It had no finish on the headstock.

Fender's deal with most of their artists was that they would exchange their instruments for new ones every seven years or so. Owens refused to return the instruments given to them, so Fender stopped giving them instruments. Gibson picked up on this, and in the early 1970s, they struck a deal with Owens. Rich received an ES-335 and a Les Paul Professional model. Owens and Rich later went back to playing their red, white, and blue Telecasters.

Discography Albums

Singles Year Single US Country Album 1970 "Cowboy Convention" (with Buddy Alan) 19 We're Real Good Friends 1971 "I'm on the Road to Memphis" (with Buddy Alan) 54