John William Wilkin

Born April 26, 1946, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the son of songwriter Marijohn Wilkin and Sam

Frevert. The couple divorced shortly after his birth and she married Art Wilkin, Jr.

Buck Wilkin started his music career at only 8 years old, appearing on the Ozark Jubilee

with Brenda Lee. The family later moved to Nashville where Marijohn gained acclaim writing

for Jim Denny’s Cedarwood Publishing Company. After about six years she started

Buckhorn Music Publishing, which is still active today with both Buck’s and Marijohn’s hit

songs.

While still in high school, Wilkin wrote and recorded “GTO” taking the stage name Ronny

Dayton to tour with his band “Ronny and the Daytonas”. “GTO” was released in the

summer of 1964, going to #4 on Billboard charts, selling over one million copies. The Box

Tops, The Hondells, The Beach Boys and numerous other groups covered the song (often

titled “Little GTO”). Countless local bands played the song in “Battle of the Bands” events

in the mid to late 60’s and beyond. To this day the car and the song it inspired are

considered classics. Several of Wilkin’s songs were also recorded by other artists,

including Ray Charles and Bobbie Gentry.

Wilkin earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Vanderbilt University. He recorded

solo albums for Liberty Records and United Artists Records. Songs written by Wilkin were

featured on the soundtrack of THE LAST MOVIE (directed by Dennis Hopper) and the

documentary of the making of the film THE AMERICAN DREAMER. Wilkin and Hopper

became good friends.

In 2006, “GTO” was featured in the soundtrack of the movie “RV” starring Robin Williams

introducing a new generation to the song.

Buck will be remembered by industry greats including Kris Kristofferson who in the late 60’s

shared an apartment with Wilkin where they often took part in guitar pulls with other

aspiring songwriters; and Buzz Cason, longtime friend, band member and co-writer who

appeared with Wilkin as “Buzz and Bucky”.

“I will always remember our popular, multi-talented classmate from Hillsboro High,” said

life-long friend, Lee Kraft who, in high school, played and toured in the Daytonas.

Wilkin never married. He leaves behind the legacy of his music and the generation who

lived, loved and breathed “GTO”.

A celebration of John Buck Wilkin’s life will be announced at a later time.