Image Credit: Jordi Vidal/Redferns/Getty ImagesSteel guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and longtime Neil Young collaborator Ben Keith has died of unknown causes at the age of 73. According to Rolling Stone, Young acknowledged his passing last night at the singer-songwriter’s show in Winnipeg. “This is for Ben Keith,” Young said, before playing “Old Man.” “His spirit will live on. The Earth has taken him.”
Keith first worked with Young on the classic 1972 album Harvest, which, of course, featured “Old Man.” “Ben and I developed the style during those sessions,” Young told The Tennessean in 2005. “When we did ‘Old Man’ and talked about what he could play, I said, ‘Try to play those single notes and make it sound doubled. Just ride those babies all the way through there, that’s a great sound.” Keith would contribute to many more Young albums and performed with him at the Bridge School Benefit just last October.
Keith initially made his name as a Nashville session musician and played on Patsy Cline’s “I Fall to Pieces.” He also produced Jewel’s 1995 debut collection Pieces of You, and released music under his own name. His 1994 album Seven Gates boasted contributions from Johnny Cash and J.J. Cale.
You can see a clip of Keith and Young performing”This Old House”—from the CSNY album American Dream—after the jump.
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Ben gave Neil’s music a beautiful feel, and all those great songs wouldn’t sound the same without his contributions. We will miss you, Ben. Rest In Peace.
R.I.P. Ben Keith
Rest in peace been,that’s for all you have done.
I am stunned and saddened by this news. Ben meant so much to all of us. Journey on, brother.
Mr. Keith was a beautiful musician. I heard someone say once that his playing was like fog coming in at dawn around the Golden Gate bridge. My personal favorite steel player of all time as he used so much subtlety and understand. He milked a note to perfection. His playing on Tonight’s the Night, Harvest, Harvest Moon, On The Beach, etc. really makes those albums as beautiful as they are. Much respect and love…Rest In Peace.
subtlety and understatement.
This is a sad day, sad news to hear about a good guy. Talent and soul – Ben had hit in spades. He left a good mark on things.
I did the Wanted:The Outlaws tour with Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Jessi Coulter and Tompall Glaser. Ben played steel and dobro, Mel Brown on guitar. My first major tour and Ben was outstanding. Did some recordings with that band too – The Great Tompall and his Outlaw Band. Many stories, many memories. Many thoughts, many feelings. So many of my old associates are leaving this world… must keep their music alive…
RIP rock on in Heaven
RIP Ben Keith, what an amazing musician he was.
I think in the artwork for Zuma, there is a interior photo of Ben on pedal steel in Hawaiian shirt, music stuff, music chaos, musicians all around- a bunch of guys making great music. Looks like a great time, and life. Thanks Ben.
He’in heaven playing pedal for the angels
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