Rob Buck; 10,000 Maniacs Lead Guitarist

Rob Buck, 42, lead guitarist for the rock band 10,000 Maniacs. Buck wrote the music for some of the band’s best-known songs, including “Hey Jack Kerouac,” and “What’s the Matter Here?” Born in Jamestown, N.Y., Buck started playing guitar at the age of 6 and decided to become a professional guitarist at 16 after seeing “The Jimi Hendrix Story.” He formed 10,000 Maniacs with Dennis Drew, Steven Gustafson, John Lombardo and Natalie Merchant in 1981, taking their name from the 1964 horror film “Two Thousand Maniacs.” Merchant left the band in 1993 for a solo career and was replaced by Mary Ramsey. Buck and the band last performed Nov. 6 at a rally for Hillary Rodham Clinton at Buffalo State College. On Tuesday night in Pittsburgh of complications from liver failure.