Guitarist/writer Bernard Seigal dead at 48

LA MESA, Calif., April 4 (UPI) -- Beat Farmers founding guitarist Bernard "Buddy Blue" Seigal has died of a heart attack at his La Mesa, Calif., home at age 48.

Seigal was the second Beat Farmer to die of a heart attack -- drummer Country Dick Montana died during a concert in November 1995. Seigal died Saturday, The Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.

The Beat Farmers began in San Diego in 1983 and developed a cult following for their rock/country sound dubbed "cow punk."

Seigal left the Beat Farmers in 1986. In addition to his solo career, he also played with The Farmers, the Buddy Blue Band, the Rockin' Roulettes, the Jacks and Raney Blue.

During the 1990s, Seigal focused on his writing, penning reviews and music columns for The Los Angeles Times, San Jose Mercury News, Orange County Register, the San Diego Union Tribune and the OC Weekly.

Seigal is survived by his wife, their 4-year-old daughter and his mother.