The New York Times and others are reporting the death of Roy Clark at the age of 85. Clark was a country singer and musician with a long career in show business, and he was best known as the host of Hee Haw, a silly country-themed variety show that aired for over 20 years.
As Muppet fans, we also remember his memorable turn as a Muppet Show guest star. Clark was one of a handful of country artists to appear in the third season, and he was one of those guests who obviously had the had the time of his life working with the Muppets. In his episode (which we reviewed just months ago), he did a somber rendition of “Yesterday When I Was Young” and a rousing “Sally Was a Good Old Girl,” and appeared in a funny talk spot. But the major highlight of his episode is a musical number in which the Muppets are nearly superfluous. It’s “Rocky Top,” which features Clark playing a banjo AND a fiddle AND a mandolin AND a guitar, singing with himself, and just generally being entertaining.
If you haven’t seen it, or haven’t seen it in a while, give it a look:
https://youtu.be/fgeW6pc-y5o
What a talented guy. He’ll be missed.
Click here to remember Roy Clark on the Tough Pigs forum.
by Ryan Roe – Ryan@ToughPigs.com
