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Friday, April 29, 2011 , Updated 12:21 p.m., April 29, 2011
UPDATED: Stoney Burns, Dallas’ “king of the hippies,” died Thursday
The founder of Buddy magazine died of a heart attack.
DALLAS — "King of the hippies" Stoney Burns, born Brent Stein, passed away on Thursday in Dallas.
From friend Angus Wynne's Facebook page:
"Our old friend and spiritual advisor passed away early this morning at Baylor Hospital of a massive heart attack."
Burns' former lawyer Fred Time confirmed that he'd died, and that the family was in the process of making funeral arrangements.
A graduate of Hillcrest High School and the University of Arizona, Burns was a classic rabble-rouser in the '60s and '70s who attended protests, was busted for possession of marijuana, edited a protest newspaper called Notes From the Underground, and eventually founded Buddy magazine, a longtime free publication covering the Dallas music scene.
His 1967 article about a love-in attempted by Dallas hippies that was stopped by the police, "plunged Dallas into the sixties," according to author James McEnteer (Fighting Words, Independent Journalists in Texas).
Burns ran for Dallas County sheriff in 1972, but was arrested for possession of marijuana and went to jail for 19 days.
Friend Amy Pilz said that Burns had a heart attack in the late '80s or early '90s, and had also beat cancer two years ago. He went into the hospital on Tuesday.
According to a 2008 story in the Dallas Morning News, Burns was never married, and ended his days in Lower Greenville, working on a business publication and occasionally going out to see bluegrass bands.
Colleen Morgan worked with Burns at Buddy magazine during the '90s.
"He started the longest running Texas music magazine; Buddy is still going to this day," she said. "He was an instigator and a rebel, and he'll be missed."
UPDATE: Burns will be buried at Shearith Israel Cemetery, 4634 Dolphin Road on Sunday at 1 p.m.; services will be graveside.
There'll be a candlelight vigil at Lee Park on Saturday, April 30 at 7 p.m.
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Sorry, but I don't suffer fools gladly. Have a nice day.
Teresa Gubbins, staff:
a friend of Stoney's forwards this mention in Time magazine in 1974:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/art...
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Teresa Gubbins, staff:
Observer
http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfai...
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tamararagus, anonymous:
Thanks for all the info Teresa. I worked for Stoney at Buddy in the early 80's, and was also one of the drummers for The Buddy Brothers band, I was the Buddy Sister... I can't believe he's gone. If you make it to the service, please say hello. Thanks, Tamara Ragus
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scubaboot, anonymous:
You should be the one to say hello, Tamara. You were here and knew him.
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dobros, anonymous:
Sweet sailin', Stoney...say hi to The Jones fer us...Country Roger Hooper
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SitizenKane, anonymous:
And I always thought "Wavy Gravy" was king of the hippies.
RIP Stoney.
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osuzannadrums, anonymous:
I just saw him not long ago! .... Stoney your spirit lives on and your journeys of growth never cease... you will be missed.. May deep peace and love be with your family and loved ones during this time of transition...
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winbornmary, anonymous:
Sorry to have missed the Lee Park vigil. I remember the 60's and Lee Park. Took my little daughter there many a weekend and connected with everyone. What a flood of memories. No one could forget Stoney. . PS- daughter grew up to be a drummer in an alternative band. Mary Winborn, Padre Island
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alexander troup, verified:
YES, Just drove by the old Allied Prining Company on or by Deep Elm, here's to a long and lost cause that does have meaning.....How to break one of the chains of the bible belt, they used to say...
I am reading from the old and new sources why this 60's hip culture came to be,in Texas Dallas not why the Dallas Historical says it does.... the fashion statement was so unique.... not like San Francisco or Chicago and New York.....then again the Hari Krishna are having their 40th this year also.....
What tweeked my thought on this was the DMN, quote on buying Pot on Sunday...or the inability to do so.....Stoney had remarked to another folk fan....back then....and it came to me...a flash of light.....it was not so much a Viet Nam thing...even though L.B.J was President the late 60's...A Texas President then ....and a Democrat too....
No,.... the movement in Texas appears today as religious for the 1960's Flower Power folks and flesh acts...really..Bible beating cops......on long haired Jesus freak Hippies,getting baptized at Lee Park.... sorry about my flash back there...
This is as serious as it has been to kill the man who started the 9/11 War this week at the Twin Towers in New York...and so that lasted 10 years 2001 to 2011, or has ended and as much to say about 1966 to 1975....in some special way,dig it man, Nixon when the war came down his special way......
Back to Stoney Burns and the culture he created will be missed,and a good Obit shot of his hat and face in the paper press....yes he was a very important element in the Dallas Days of Blues and Bible beating .......Thanks Angus Wynn,and Travis and the Pegasus best, when we did the Lee Park story some years back....A/T, A man an his times becomes history, among the few who can follow....Stoney Burns R.I.P....
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gary_v32, anonymous:
King of the hippies my ass ! There are hippies and there is a king. True hippies are more than just long hair ,commune living and peace. A true hippie does not think inside the box and is bohemian in nature. He will push the envelope beyond what most people feel is the norm without being a weirdo.Anybody can be wierd. (being far out is something that only comes from intellect )He must be far-out or heavy as they say. If John Lennon is not the king then there is none.
P.S.- i think that Wavy Gravy deserves honarable mention however lol.
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