Buxx Banner

Buxx Banner, born Beauliss Kleff Banner, in New Orleans, Louisiana, February 3, 1945 (some sources cite 1943) he is better known to his legion of fans as "Buxx" or "The Buxxer". Banner has existed on the fringe of radical/political rock music and cult films for the past five decades.

When his father moved the family from New Orleans to Piru, California around 1949, he found work at Republic Studios in Hollywood as an electrician. When a child actor was taken ill, the elder Banner volunteered his three year old son, Beauliss, for the part. Hence, Banner appeared in several low budget movies, TV shows, and commercials. Banner graduated high school in Plano, Texas in 1960.

Banner's interest in music was sparked by his association with Fernando "Gator" Brown. The two attended the same high school in the late 50's and formed a garage band, performing under several names, most often as "The Bushwhackers." Brown played keyboards, while Banner attended to wind instruments and lead vocals. Guitar, drums and bass were filled by a revolving door of characters. The band got its big break, so to speak, when they appeared on the Los Angeles "Wink Martindale Show."

In August, 1961, Banner enlisted in the Army, serving at Fort Ord, California, Berlin Germany, and Fort Benning, Georgia as a paratrooper. He received a medical discharge in 1963 due to injuries resulting from an inter-service boxing match.

In late 1963, Banner formed his first professional Band, "Banner" with long-time friend Gator Brown. With Banner on vocals, Brown on keyboard, they were joined by ZZ Clarkton on guitar, Peter "General" Johnson on bass, and Kent Foster on drums. The group had one moderately successful recording: "The Bay of Pigs" bottoming out the charts in most states. The group "Banner" presented itself as a folk-rock band. The band broke up in early 1965.

After a lackluster bid at a boxing career, Banner formed his next band, The Buxx Banner Experience in 1968. Obviously influenced by the sky-rocketing success of Jimi Hendrix, this time Banner's group was basing their sound in the heavy, acid rock genre. The legendary Lee Petersen was on lead guitar, with Brown once again on keyboards, joined by Herm Marshall on bass, and Petie Marshall on drums. The group toured the country opening for "The Seeds" and "The Mind Benders." The band produced one album, "Neon Blue" from which one cut, "Santa Capa Island" was released as a single and achieved some regional air-play. The group's fate was sealed when the Marshall Brothers were drafted and Lee Petersen left for Canada to avoid military service in 1969.

Banner, in the late 60s was once again on the Hollywood scene, appearing in small roles in cheap productions. Legend also has it that Banner was experiencing the first of a series of alcohol and drug related problems during this period.Who|date=September 2008

In 1975, through his acquaintance with high school friend Tom Vacca, now a motion picture producer, Banner was given the role of Vince Coltrane in Richard Bartlett's "Revenge of the Fists of Fury."

Through the 70s and the 80s, Banner appeared in small parts in major and minor productions and had starring roles in some small-budget pictures, such as Blood Church (1985).

In 1989, after his return from the Betty Ford Clinic, Banner formed "Major G and The G-Men." Once again he featured Brown on keyboards, but they rounded out the group with Mic Nuggette on bass, Tonto Clarkton on drums, and Steven Wymuth English on lead guitar. The group discovered a cult following with their political rock songs, such as: "New World Order", "Baghdad Rap" and "Shades of Plano." Their concert at the Mayfair theater and the Laural Lounge are legend, and available on DVD. It was also at this time that Banner played the role of the serial killer in "Disarray".

"Disarray" was filmed in a few short days in Ventura, California on a minuscule budget. Mic Nuggette took the director's chair, and a dual role, while Clarkton and Dennis Dentist, Carmella N. Hall, and Woo Mann Chini filled out the cast. ever again has Banner received such critical acclaim for a role in a motion picture.Fact|date=September 2008 Although hard to find, the picture has maintained a fan following akin to "The Rocky Horror Picture Show".

Since the 90s, Banner has been busy with a series of motion pictures produced and mostly filmed in Hong Kong. He often uses ex-band members in supporting roles. His TV show, "Buxxer Tonight" was not picked up for syndication in the United States, but a deal is in the offing in Hong Kong.Fact|date=September 2008

Banner most recently has been seen in a small role in former band member Mic Nuggette's short film "303".

References

*Nuggette, Mic "My Life As a G-Man" Pasadena Press, Los Angeles CA, 1997
*Banner, Buxx, "All My Best" DVD, Banto Productions, Oklahoma City OK, 2004

External links

* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0052302/ IMDb entry]
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0052302/bio IMDb bio]