Ribald Rockabilly Singer Shot to Death in Park

The leader of a ribald rockabilly band known for its raunchy lyrics and outrageous stage costumes was shot and killed while walking his dog in Golden Gate Park, authorities said.

Phillip Bury, 38, leader of “Buck Naked and the Bare Bottom Boys,” was allegedly shot after a confrontation with a man who was feeding pigeons in the park Saturday, police said.

Police said they arrested Michael Kagan, 37, who is known for confronting people whose dogs might frighten the birds.

“This guy feeds the pigeons every day. He seems to have problems with dogs that might chase the pigeons,” said homicide inspector Earl Sanders.

Sanders described Bury’s dog, a Rottweiler named Reno, as a big but non-threatening animal. Reno was taken to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals shelter.

Bury started the band in 1984 with some friends from Omaha.

Bury’s performance included stripping down to just a cowboy hat and a toilet plunger covering his private parts.

Gilbert Klein, a friend of the band members, described the band as providing “good-natured, pornographic rock . . . but nothing lascivious. I mean, women loved it. Buck wasn’t a misogynistic kind of person.”

George Lazaneo, a road manager who traveled with the band last year, said it drew good crowds in the Midwest and “had a cult following.”

“All of the songs they did are about sex or sexual gratification--tongue in cheek,” he said. “They call it ‘pornobilly.’ ”

Bury is survived by his parents, two sisters and a brother.