Bucky Pizzarelli, 1926-2020; Honorary PhD Recipient
John “Bucky” Pizzarelli, Sr., of Saddle River, New Jersey, died Tuesday, April 1, from complications from the coronavirus. He was 94.
SIUE bestowed an Honorary Doctor of Music to Pizzarelli in 2003. He conducted workshops at SIUE for the Jazz Studies Program and was a legend in the music world for more than half a century.
For Rick Haydon, SIUE professor emeritus, former director of Jazz Studies and head of the Guitar Program, Pizzarelli was his mentor and inspiration to play 7-String. “Bucky came to St. Louis to perform and we became instant friends,” Haydon said. “I had him doing clinics at SIUE anytime he was in town. He loved walking our halls and seeing all the students playing in his inimitable style.”
Pizzarelli and Haydon performed for the SIU Board of Trustees and at SIUE Chancellor David Werner’s house before Pizzarelli received his doctorate. “He was always pleased to know that Benny Goodman had also been honored with an SIUE honorary doctorate,” Haydon said. “For the past 30 years, students have thanked me for introducing Bucky to them.”
A 7-string guitarist, Pizzarelli was a master of the subtle art of rhythm guitar, as well as a gifted soloist. The Paterson, N.J. native also toured with Benny Goodman and was a longtime member of the “Tonight Show” orchestra.
SIUE has five of Pizzarelli’s guitars as part of the SIUE museum, including the famous Green Gretsch 7-String used in the famous Green Guitar record.
A complete obituary is available at The New York Times.
Photo: Guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli (center). (Credit: Madeline Dames).
