Robert Davis (August 11, 1956 – June 6, 1981), stage name Chuck Wagon, was an American musician and member of the

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

punk rock band

the Dickies The Dickies are an American punk rock band formed in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, in 1977. One of the longest tenured punk rock bands, they have been in continuous existence for over 40 years. They have consistently balanced catchy mel ...

, with whom he released two albums in his lifetime, as well as a solo 7" single called "Rock n' Roll Won't Go Away". Having joined the Dickies shortly after their formation in 1977, Wagon was the band's multi-instrumentalist, playing

keyboards Keyboard may refer to: Text input * Keyboard, part of a typewriter * Computer keyboard ** Keyboard layout, the software control of computer keyboards and their mapping ** Keyboard technology, computer keyboard hardware and firmware Music * Musi ...

rhythm guitar In music performances, rhythm guitar is a technique and role that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with other instruments from the rhythm section (e.g., drum kit, bass guitar ...

saxophone The saxophone (often referred to colloquially as the sax) is a type of single-reed woodwind instrument with a conical body, usually made of brass. As with all single-reed instruments, sound is produced when a reed on a mouthpiece vibrates to pr ...

and

harmonica The harmonica, also known as a French harp or mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used worldwide in many musical genres, notably in blues, American folk music, classical music, jazz, country, and rock. The many types of harmonica inclu ...

as well as performing

backing vocals A backing vocalist is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists. A backing vocalist may also sing alone as a lead-in to the main vocalist's entry or to sing a counter-melody. Backing vocalists are use ...

. Dissatisfied with the band by early 1981, Wagon quit, but was persuaded to return for a handful of live shows. His final studio work with the band, released posthumously in 1983 on ''

Stukas Over Disneyland ''Stukas Over Disneyland'' is the third studio album by punk rock band The Dickies, released in 1983. The album includes covers of The Quick's "Pretty Please Me" and Led Zeppelin's "Communication Breakdown." The cover art illustrates the albu ...

'', would feature Wagon on drums. On the evening of June 5, 1981, after a Dickies show in

Topanga Canyon Topanga () (Tongva: ''Topaa'nga'') is a census-designated place (CDP) in western Los Angeles County, California, United States. Located in the Santa Monica Mountains, the community exists in Topanga Canyon and the surrounding hills. The narrow s ...

, California, and deeply depressed over the end of his relationship with his girlfriend, Wagon returned home and shot himself in the head with a

.22 rifle The .22 Long Rifle or simply .22 LR or 22 (metric designation: 5.6×15mmR) is a long-established variety of .22 caliber rimfire ammunition originating from the United States. It is used in a wide range of rifles, pistols, revolvers, smoo ...

at his parents'

San Fernando Valley The San Fernando Valley, known locally as the Valley, is an urbanized valley in Los Angeles County, California. Located to the north of the Los Angeles Basin, it contains a large portion of the City of Los Angeles, as well as unincorporated ar ...

home. He died in a hospital the following morning at the age of 24.

Discography

The Dickies The Dickies are an American punk rock band formed in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, in 1977. One of the longest tenured punk rock bands, they have been in continuous existence for over 40 years. They have consistently balanced catchy mel ...

– ''

The Incredible Shrinking Dickies ''The Incredible Shrinking Dickies'' is the debut studio album by the California punk band The Dickies. It peaked at #18 on the UK album charts. The album includes the group's cover of Black Sabbath's "Paranoid," which reached No. 45 in the UK ...

'' ( A&M records) * The Dickies – '' Dawn of the Dickies'' (A&M records) * The Dickies – ''

'' (Tracks 1–4) (PVC) * Chuck Wagon – ''Rock & Roll Won't Go Away'' (A&M Records)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Wagon, Chuck 1956 births 1981 deaths American punk rock musicians American multi-instrumentalists Suicides by firearm in California 20th-century American musicians 1981 suicides