Robert Norman Buck (August 1, 1958 – December 19, 2000) was an American guitarist and founding member of the alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs. Buck co-wrote some of the most successful songs recorded by 10,000 Maniacs, including "What's the Matter Here", "Hey Jack Kerouac", and "These Are Days".
Buck was born August 1, 1958, in Chandlers Valley, Pennsylvania. He and his family moved to nearby Jamestown, New York during his high school years. He graduated from Cassadaga Valley High School in 1976 and received an associate's degree in anthropology from Jamestown Community College.
Buck decided to pursue a career as a professional guitarist after seeing The Jimi Hendrix Story. Buck, Dennis Drew, Steven Gustafson, John Lombardo, and Natalie Merchant formed 10,000 Maniacs in 1981; Buck was the band's lead guitarist.
The band's folk-rock music became popular with college students. Its 1987 album, In My Tribe, sold more than a million copies. In 1989, Blind Man's Zoo reached number 13 on the U.S. charts and was certified gold. Buck was the co-writer of some of the band's best-known songs, including "These Are Days", "Hey Jack Kerouac", and "What's the Matter Here?" He performed with the band at the Inaugural Ball in 1993. That same year, the band was profiled in Rolling Stone.
Buck was listed in Guitar Player magazine as one of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.
Buck was married to Terri Newhouse from 1979 to 1981.
Buck dealt with issues related to his liver for several years. In November 2000, he contracted an illness which he believed was influenza, according to 10,000 Maniacs manager Blair Woods. His condition continued to worsen until he eventually collapsed, at which point he was taken to the hospital. On November 30, Buck was airlifted from WCA Hospital in Jamestown, New York to the UPMC Presbyterian hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He died of liver disease on December 19, 2000 at age 42.
Human Conflict Number Five (1982)
Hope Chest: The Fredonia Recordings 1982–1983 (1990)
Campfire Songs: The Popular, Obscure and Unknown Recordings (2004)
Victory Gardens (1991) with John & Mary – lead guitar, mandolin
The Weedkiller's Daughter (1993) with John & Mary – lead guitar
The Pinwheel Galaxy (2003) with John & Mary – backwards guitar
Kerouac: Kicks Joy Darkness (2000)