Jim Ross has a new blog up on his official website discussing the passing of “Fabulous Freebird” Buddy Roberts, who passed away aged 65. An excerpt from the blog featuring Ross’ comments on Roberts’ passing and his memories of Roberts is below.

“Very sad to hear of the passing…just heard seconds ago that Freebird Buddy Roberts has died. Buddy was the third member of the trio that revolutionized the three man faction/tag team scene back in the late 70’s and 80’s. Bill Watts attached the veteran Buddy to the much younger, free spirits, Michael Hayes and Terry Gordy to comprise one of the greatest entities ever in the business. At one time, there were no competitors who had more ‘heat’ than did the Fabulous Freebirds especially with their issues with JYD in Mid South and the Von Erich’s in World Class in Dallas, among others.

At the time Watts inserted Buddy with Michael and Terry, Bill considered Buddy Roberts to be one of the best performers in the business. Buddy was a skilled ‘mechanic’ who elevated everyone’s game, could sell for Gordy and Hayes and no matter how many times that Buddy was beaten he had the ability to retain his villain angst. Fans loved to boo Buddy Roberts…he was that good. I recall calling a match once in Dallas where Buddy wrestled referee David Manning with one armed tied behind him against the referee. Buddy had just lost his hair in an on gong storyline and was wrestling in a head gear which made the entire presentation even more entertaining. Bottom line, with one hand tied behind his back, Buddy Roberts was better than many wrestlers who were earning a living inside the squared circle at that time.

The ‘Birds were free spirits to say the very least and could be a handful to manage as they lived their in ring personas. Hell, their in ring personas were them. The name Buddy ‘Jack’ Roberts came from one of the group’s favorite, recreational beverages…old, #7 Jack Daniels. Michael Hayes had a birthday party at a bowling alley in Atlanta one year for Budrow and I hadn’t seen Buddy in a good while. I arrived at the party a little later than planned and the first thing that Buddy did when he saw I was there was to walk straight up to me, no hugs or greetings, and kick the hell out of my shin. Then he hugged me. That was Buddy….unpredictable out of the ring and he always had the mischievous twinkle in his eye.

I first met Buddy Roberts when he was a tag partner with Jerry Brown as they comprised the Hollywood Blondes. I’ve said it before, the original Hollywood Blondes of Roberts and Brown were one of the most underrated tag teams ever in the business. They had being bad guys down to a science and their teamwork, timing, and believability were uncanny. Buddy had battled, I believe, throat cancer in recent years, while living in the Chicago area and doing construction work there. He only recently fell ill again and I’d know over the past several days that things were touch and go. Buddy Roberts, real name Dale Hey, was one of the true characters that I ever worked with in the business. He was as close to being himself in the ring as he was outside the ring. Buddy did not play a role. Buddy Roberts did not assume the role of being a pro wrestler. He was what you saw…a character who many of us will never forget.

RIP Budrow…may you rest in peace and thanks for providing me with some of the most memorable moments of my career. Buddy was real. Buddy was Buddy. Our condolences to his family and his many friends especially my long time friend and Buddy’s beloved, former tag team partner, Michael Hayes.”

The blog is available in full at this link.