THE BUCKLEY SERENADERS.
James Buckley, the father of R. Bishop, G. Swayne and Fred Buckley was the organizer of the justly famous Buckley Serenaders; they were originally known as the Congo Melodists; subsequently upon playing an extended engagement in New Orleans, they adopted the title of “New Orleans Serenaders”; later using the name they were ever after known by.
Mr. Buckley was leader at Harrington’s Museum in Boston in 1840.
In 1843 he organized the Congo Melodists in Boston, and gave their first performance at the Tremont Theatre; in October they were playing the Tabernacle, the present site of the Howard Athenaeum. Their first New York appearance was in 1845; the following year they went to England, where they remained about two years. For family reasons each of the four Buckleys adopted different names on this trip, and retained them for a time after their return to the United States in 1848; James Buckley was known as James Burke.
Their metropolitan reappearance was made at the Society Library Rooms, corner Broadway and Leonard Street; they played here as early as January 3, 1849.
The Buckleys were the first recognized company from the East to visit California, which they did in 1852; they played in tents at $3 per ticket. In June, 1853, they made their third New York appearance at the Chinese Assembly Room, 539 Broadway, which they leased and made into a minstrel hall; they remained three years. August 25, 1856, they opened at 585 Broadway; their last performance there was January 9, 1858; subsequently they played a brief engagement at 444 Broadway, commencing two days later.
In May, 1858, they began a brief engagement at the Ordway Hall in Boston, and in November, same year, they began a short season at Allston Hall on Tremont Street; subsequently returning to New York at 585 Broadway, opening July 11, 1859.
On March 21, 1860, they sailed again for England, where they met with pronounced success; in this engagement they played under their own names.
As a matter of actual fact, their success was so great, that rival managers became jealous, and succeeded in digging up an old law which prevented an opera other than the Royal Opera from being given; as the Buckley’s success depended on the production of these operas, which they produced on a lavish scale, they were compelled to return to America, which they did in 1861. After playing several engagements, they returned to Boston and opened at Allston Hall, October 13, 1862. December 22, same year, they began an engagement at the Palace of Music, New York (the present site of the Fourteenth Street Theatre), and June 15, 1863, they again visited Boston, appearing at the new hall, corner Chauncey and Summer Streets, remaining until April 9, 1866.
The retirement of James Buckley and the deaths of R. Bishop and Fred Buckley, left only G. Swayne Buckley, who reorganized the company and toured with intermittent success and failure until about 1876, when the Buckley’s Serenaders passed into oblivion.
Such is the history of this famous family whose talents and versatility are beyond comprehension to the present generation.
They were the first company to produce burlesque opera, which they did on a scale of magnificence never since duplicated.
The company originally consisted of the four members of the family; later they were augmented by Sam Sanford and J. C. Collins; this was about 1846; in after years many of the prominent lights of the minstrel profession appeared on their roster. Mr. Jas. Buckley was the only member of the organization who was not active up to the time of his death.
James Buckley was born in Manchester, England, 1803; he died in Quincy, Mass., April 27, 1872.
R. Bishop Buckley, began his career in 1843 in Boston as member of the original Buckley Serenaders.
He was an excellent mimic, accomplished musician and good actor.
He was best known for his performance on the Chinese fiddle, which was never equaled except by a native Chinaman. He was the possessor of a good tenor voice, which he used easily and gracefully.
Mr. Buckley was known as J. C. Rainer in the late 40’s while in Europe and shortly after their return.
R. Bishop Buckley was born in England, 1826; he died in Quincy, Mass., June 6, 1867.
George Swayne Buckley, the most versatile of the famous Buckley family, made his first appearance as a prodigy at Harrington’s Museum in Boston, in 1840.
Later, while learning to play the banjo, the famous Joe. Sweeney took an interest in him, and “starred” him for a lengthy period through the country as “Young Sweeney,” which title he used as late as May 15, 1845.
Some idea of Mr. Buckley’s versatility may be gleaned from the fact that in one performance he sang a song and done a banjo solo in the first part, played a solo on the kitchen bellows in a burlesque on the Julien Concerts; gave Locust Hum in the third part; played a part in the burlesque opera; danced with two others in the finale, and gave his bone solo, which was a wonderful performance; with them he gave imitations of the drums, the march, the reveille, etc., concluding with imitations of two horses running a race. It must be understood that all these performances were given in an artistic manner; and this was about sixty-five years ago.
Probably Swayne Buckley’s chief fame rests on the act he did in later years; it was called “Musical Moments;” in it he performed on twelve different instruments, playing several at one time.
July 8, 1867, he reorganized in Boston the Buckley Serenaders with himself as the one remaining member of the famous family in its company.
In 1870 Mr. Buckley played an engagement with the San Francisco Minstrels in New York City; and on September 3, 1872, with Sam Sharpley he organized a company and gave minstrelsy on new lines, eliminating the time-honored first part.
The two following seasons saw Buckley’s Serenaders on the road, and on September 13, 1875, he opened with the minstrels at Beethoven Hall, Boston; their stay was brief; a road tour was even less successful.
In 1871 he played in a sensational melodrama called “On the Track;” in this he portrayed seven characters. Mr. Buckley’s last appearance was at the Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, playing Zip, a negro, in “Devotion.”
George Swayne Buckley was born in Bolton, England, August; 1829; he died in Quincy, Mass., June 25, 1879.
Fred Buckley came to America with his father and brothers in 1839; when, as previously stated, the family changed their names, Mr. Buckley was known as Master Ole Bull.
He was leader of the orchestra in their organization for many years.
Some of the famous ballads of early minstrelsy were composed by him, such as “We Are Growing Old Together,” “I’d Choose to Be a Daisy,” “Laughing Jennie,” “I See Her Still in My Dreams,” “I’m Turning Gray, Dear Kate,” and numerous others.
Mr. Buckley married Fanny Brown, the actress, January 29, 1857.
Fred Buckley was born in Bolton, England, October 12, 1833; he died in Boston, Mass., September 12, 1864.