Perry Buster

BUSTER, Perry Perry Buster, longtime Spokane resident and musician, died Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at the age of 73 at his home in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. He was born on August 11, 1935 in Delight Arkansas, the son of the late John and Pearl Buster. Perry was a talented vocalist and guitar player and a consummate entertainer. At twelve years old, he saw an old Montgomery Ward guitar for sale in a barber shop window. A few days later, his dad brought it home for him and showed him how to play a few chords. And so began a more than 60-year career in music. A self-taught guitar player with a voice like velvet, Perry performed with an extensive list of musicians covering a wide range of music, beginning with the classics like Jimmie Rodgers, to old-school rock n' roll of the 50's and 60s, to rockabilly, bluegrass and country and western. All told, his memory held thousands and thousands of songs. He attended Eastern Washington University in the late 1950's where he performed with The Stompers with band mates Dan Miller, Merk Cannell and Jerry Robinson, who traveled and played for audiences throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada. In 1960, they were banned from playing at EWU, due to the "rowdy behavior exhibited by the crowd which attended the Stompers dances," attesting to the popularity of the band and the start of a new era of live rock and roll music and dancing. After serving in the United States Army in the early 1960's, Perry and his family settled in Spokane, where he owned and performed at two bars, The Falls View downtown and The Happy Hour in the Valley, with band mates Jim Littleton, Jim Meloche, and Hap Joplin. Perry was named Spokane Male Entertainer of the Year three times. Throughout the 80s and 90s, Perry continued to play music at bars, restaurants and clubs throughout Spokane and Eastern Washington. Perry returned to Arkansas in 1997, and even in retirement he continued to delight audiences at local events, weekly radio shows and regular performances. He also volunteered his time to play at local senior centers and civic events. He enjoyed teaching and sharing his love of music, and at any time had between 20 - 30 students of all ages taking guitar lessons from him. His talent and love of music will live on through the many who enjoyed his performances and those who learned to play guitar themselves from him. Perry will also be remembered for his generosity, kindness, and humble, affable and fun-loving nature. He will be missed more than words can express. Perry was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include: daughter Keri Buster of New York, NY, son Darrin Buster of Spokane, WA, three sisters Floreece Acosta of Fairplay, SC, Janette and Al McBain of Ocala, FL, and Linda and Dick Wingrove of North Tonawonda, NY, wife Iline Tadlock of Murfreesboro, AR, aunt and uncle Evelyn and Jim Gresham of Nacogdoches, TX, long-time best friend Dan Miller of Yakima, WA, mother of his children Kay Buster of Spokane, WA, cousins Sue and Willie Click, Faye and Jay Wilson, and Shirley and the late Jess Ross, and many much loved nieces, nephews and friends. The family suggests donations be made in his name to "VH1 Save The Music Foundation". Mailing address: Deniece Dykes, VH1 Save The Music Foundation, 1515 Broadway, 20th Floor New York, NY 10036. A celebration of Perry's life will be held in Spokane in early August.