Ben Keith, Pedal Steel Guitarist and Neil Young Collaborator, RIP*

RIP

 

+1

 

I think Neil is playing here in town Wed. nite.

Wouldn't ya know it, I can't make it. I wish I was there just to remember some of the great music the two of them gave me over the past 30 plus years.

You will be missed Ben.

 

Sad news. He seemed like a nice guy in the interviews I've seen. Also, "For the Turnstiles," on which Ben plays and sings with Neil, is one of my favorite songs.

 

Amen. He will be missed.

On a selfish note - I do wonder what effect this will have on Neil's music. I felt that the quality of Neil's music took a pretty big dip after his long-time producer David Briggs died (after having gone out on a particularily high note with "Sleeps With Angels).

I'm afraid it may dip even further without Ben Keith.

 

A toast to you, Ben... Thanks for the sounds...

 

R.I.P. Ben


Spinning some classics tonight......

 

RIP

 

R.I.P. Ben ...

Big thanks for all your great licks and playing throughout the years.

 

He mentioned Ben last night before Old Man.

 

BUMMER!!

 

Upon hearing this news, I feel really badly for Neil. He's been taking some major lumps lately and I hope it doesn't affect him too much. I'm going to miss Ben Keith's contributions to Neil's music a great deal.

 

Holy crap. What terrible news. This changes everything for Neil and his fans. Ben Keith has been with him almost constantly since 1972. He has been a part of almost every band, even playing with Crazy Horse. I doubt there will ever be another "country/acoustic" kind of album from Neil now. I can't see trying to get another steel player. And of course, Ben was MORE than just a steel player. Ben was simply indispensable to Neil. This loss is almost like taking away Neil's guitar (Old Black or otherwise).

 

That about sums it up for me.

 

RIP Ben Keith. I especially took notice to his name when I was getting into On the Beach. In the book Shakey, I recall Neil talking quite a bit about Keith during this period. Them two cooking up some sort of fried pot and Keith wiggling around on the floor during the recording of "Revolution Blues." (That's what I recall... it could be imagined in my head).

I'll be listening to On the Beach in his honor.

 

RIP. He will always be remembered for his contributions to many Neil Young albums and that is well deserved, but he played on many other great recordings as well.
Before he met Neil Young, Ben Keith was a professional musician in Nashville for years.
I'm posting links below to two songs he played on in the early 60's.

Faron Young - Goin' Steady:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJWnqlZhR3g

Patsy Cline - I Fall To Pieces:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG-8uZg2uV0

 

I just saw him play with Pegi's band, he looked fine.
What a terrible loss. RIP.

 

Damn.

RIP.

 

RIP.

 

terrible news. In addition to all the great pedal steel, dobro and guitar, Ben also played sax in the Bluenotes and Shocking Pinks with Neil!

and he produced Jewel's gazillion selling CD from 15 or so years ago.

 

I don't think Neil has lost a musician who was so integral to his entire musical persona since Danny Whitten. Briggs was huge, and in his own way, just as important on a musical level, but as a collaborator, who was bigger than Whitten? Only Ben Keith. Frank became Crazy Horse's guitar player, but he didn't "replace" Whitten. Although, other than Ben Keith, probably only Frank has been around for as many of Neil's projects.

As an aside, I predict that before too long Neil will be playing with the Horse again.

Has there been any mention of why he died?

 

According to Jonathan Demme, a heart attack: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/mus...ith-neil-youngs-steel-guitarist-19352010.html

Like others I'm shocked by this very sad news having also seen him just last month as part of Pegi's band. Such an incredibly gifted musician, what a terrible loss.

 

RIP Ben

 

Sad news. I saw him on the 73 tour.

 

So sad reading this here tonight. I must have been channeling Ben's spirit today as I listened to On the Beach while driving through Joshua Tree National Park before I knew about this. The man has been an integral part of my musical life. Thanks Ben. RIP.