TROY — Described as a man who helped keep the local music scene together, that community is now rallying together for a one night benefit in his name.
Buck Malen died Sunday, Nov. 13 at the age of 66, leaving behind a family of two children, Katryn and Mikael, and a sister, carol bombard. He also left behind an extended family that grew in live music venues like Pauly’s Hotel, where he spent the past several years hosting Blues Jam, a weekly jam session with Scotty Mac every Monday.
“He taught me a lot about music,” said Scott Mac, who took responsibility of Blues Jam just a few months before Malen died. Mac recalled meeting Malen 30 years ago. “I met him when I was 19 years old. I’m 49 now. … We shared an interest in the same music.”
Malen played bass and rhythm guitar for numerous bands over the years, since returning to Albany from Florida in the early ‘80s. Those groups included French Letter, Johnny Rabb & The Jailhouse Rockers, the Jivebombers, the Staynz, Susan & The Surftones and the Bucakadelics.
A benefit to support Malen’s family has been organized by Joe and Jen Mele, called Buckstock. The Sunday, Dec. 18 show plays to a Troy crowd at The Hangar with several bands Mac helped organize: Super 400, Mac & Harrison, Matt Mirable Band featuring Jill Hughes, Big Frank & The Bargin Bingers, Chirs Busone Band, Johnny Rabb & The Tichy Boys and more.
