March 8, 2012 – Buddy “Bugs” Henderson was born on October 20th 1943 in Palm Springs, California, but grew up in Tyler, Texas. At age 16 he formed a band called the Sensores and later joined Mouse and the Traps. Living in Dallas-Fort Worth during the early 1970s, he became lead guitarist for the blues/rock band Nitzinger before one-hit pop wonder Bruce Channel recruited him into a band.
He established his own band the Shuffle Kings, and spent his entire working life as musician performing from Fort Worth clubs and all over the world, forging and establishing a large cult following. He released 18 albums, while his guitarplaying style impressed musicians such as Eric Clapton, Freddie King, Johnny Winter, Johnny Hyland and Ted Nugent.
Henderson was hugely popular in Europe and toured the continent often from the 1970s on.
Henderson played with blues legends such as B. B. King, Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters and Stevie Ray Vaughan, also with Rhythm and Blues saxophonist Don Wise and rock guitarist Ted Nugent.
He died on March 8, 2012 from complications of liver cancer just four days after a benefit concert in his honor. The performers at the 11-hour “Benefit Bugs” event included Ray Wylie Hubbard, Smokin’ Joe Kubek & Bnois King, and Mouse & the Traps, the band from early in his career with the hit songs, “A Public Execution” and “Maid of Sugar – Maid of Spice” that featured some of his most famous guitar solos.
He was 68.
