Harrel C. "Buddy" Jones, got his start during the early days of Tulsa rock 'n' roll. He broke in with rockers Wally Wiggins and Johnny Cale in the 1950s and later enjoyed a long association with Leon Russell, whom he managed.



A Tulsa native, Buddy Jones got his first set of drums while a student at Rogers High School. His first regular gig followed soon with Benny Ketchum's band at the Cain's

Ballroom.



While there, Buddy Jones also provided backing drums for many of the era's touring country artists, including Patsy Cline, Red Sovine and Faron Young.



But it was as a drummer with Cale and Bill Raffensperger at the Casa Del Club that hBuddy Jones broke into the rock 'n' roll scene he loved.



From there, like many Tulsa musicians of the era, he tried California for a while. He played drums for Jimmy Karstein at a club in Los Angeles.



After a tour in the army, Harrel Jones returned to Los Angeles, where Russell hired him as his manager.



Returning to Tulsa later and his own business interests, Buddy Jones continued to work occasionally for Russell over the years in management and promotions.



Jones also produced the Gap Band's first album and co-wrote some of the songs.



Harrell "Buddy" Jones died on SUnday, February 20, 2011 at the age of 70. The Tulsa rock 'n' roll pioneer was survived by his wife of 20 years, a sister and two brothers.