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.