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

That is so weird. I also just had a great listen to On The Beach on my way home from the cottage today, and came home to this news. Absolutely devastating. Rest in peace Ben, and thank you for the memories.

 

Agreed.

This is a shock, as I saw him play with Neil only last year in Cologne at the Tanzbrunnen. He was in fine form, played a lot of Whitten's parts on 2nd guitar in addition to pedal steel on the slower tunes.

 

Neil has lost so much more than a trusted musical sidekick - he has lost a member of his family. Vale Ben Keith.

 

Among other things, Ben played the beautiful pedal steel solo on the Patsy Cline classic, "I Fall To Pieces"...a great talent gone way too soon! Neil is gonna be in mourning for a long time for this one...

 

R.I.P.

I'll miss his distinctive pedal steel playing all over Neil's records.

 

R.I.P. Ben... You made some great music with Neil...

 

I can only echo what's already been said. Total shock, a terrible loss of a great musician and from all reports a very good man. I literally cannot count the number of times I've seen him onstage with Neil, and everyone knows how much he contributed there. I'm starting out my day just stunned and sad.

 

Haven't been online much lately. Just found out about 20 minutes ago. Being at work all I can do is hold back the tears. I feel lucky to have gotten to see Ben with Neil over the years up close, and shout LONG GRAIN enough to see him smile. Utterly crushed, feel like so much of the Neil somgs I love are also gone, as they wouldn't be the same again live.
Tonight's The Night will be my memorial.

 

I think that was Rusty Kershaw doing the python thing during Revolution Blues.. Definitely can't see Ben Keith doing that...

 

I also enjoyed his Seven Gates Christmas album from 1994. Rest In Peace, Ben Keith.

 

Very sad to hear this. Ben's playing was mesmerising.

 

RIP.

Time Fades Away...

 

Isn't Neil's son named Ben? Any connection, I wonder?

 

Yep. He always returns to Crazy Horse in times like this. But it also may make Twisted Road, or whatever his new album will be called, even more fascinating if he addresses Ben's passing on it.

 

Ah...Ben Keith was probably the first non-star musician that pricked my ears and made me read who played on sessions. (I didn't follow jazz till later in life.) He also made me realize how much I love steel guitar at an early age. Starting on side 2 of Tonight's The Night to begin a salute to one of the greats.

 

I had Harvest Moon playing in the car this morning on the way to work. His playing on that title track brought on a few tears. I love that woozy, heartbreaking steel that Ben added whenever he played with Neil. Man, what a loss!

+1 to the person in this thread who commented on Neil's country based albums...I don't forsee neil doing that again. Ben was the perfect guy when Neil was working in that vein.

 

I watched Ben Keith with Neil for the first time ever on TV today, the Prairie Wind concert. He was great. It's sad he's gone but wonderful that he will live forever by the magic of recording.

RIP.

 

RIP. He will be missed.

 

Statement from Neil Young:

http://neilyoung.com/news/index.html

 

Sad loss, his playing on Neil's country tunes will always be remembered.

 

I've been listening to Ben's playing all week and have been compiling a list of other things he played on in the '70s:


Ben Keith – pedal steel, lap steel, dobro:


Tracy Nelson/Mother Earth –
“Country” 1969

“Satisfied” 1970
Tracks 1, 7

“Bring Me Home” 1971
Track 7

Ringo Starr –
“Beaucoups Of Blues” 1970
Probably tracks 1, 5, 6, 8-10, 13, 14

Charlie Daniels –
“Charlie Daniels” 1970
Tracks 4, 6

Bob Dylan –
“George Jackson” single 1971
Tracks 1, 2

Ian & Sylvia/Great Speckled Bird –
“You Were On My Mind” 1972
Only title track available

Bobby Charles –
“Bobby Charles” 1972
Tracks 7, 9, 12-14

Hungry Chuck –
“Hungry Chuck” 1972

Todd Rundgren –
“Something/Anything?” 1972
Disc 2, track 9

Steve Goodman –
“Steve Goodman” 1972
Tracks 3-10, 13

Chris Smither –
“Don’t Drag It On” 1972
Tracks 1, 6

The Band –
“Moondog Matinee” 1973
Track 6

Graham Nash –
“Wild Tales” 1973
Tracks 2, 4, 5, 9, 10

Terry Reid –
“Seed Of Memory” 1973
Track 3

Eric Von Schmidt –
“2nd Right, 3rd Row” 1973
Tracks 2, 4, 6

Bob Neuwirth –
“Bob Neuwirth” 1974
Probably tracks 2, 5, 6, 11

Emmylou Harris –
“Pieces Of The Sky” 1975
Tracks 2, 4, 7, 8

“Elite Hotel” 1975
Tracks 6, 7

“Blue Kentucky Girl” 1979
Track 7

Crosby & Nash –
“Wind On The Water” 1975
Probably tracks 5, 10

“Whistling Down The Wire” 1976
Probably track 2

Billy Joe Shaver –
“Gypsy Boy” 1977
Probably all tracks


Lonnie Mack –
“Lonnie Mack With Pismo” 1977
Track 4

Warren Zevon –
“Bad Luck Streak In Dancing School” 1980
Track 11

 

Ben provided the 'Spook' in a lot of Neil's music. He was truly unique and un-replaceable

 

RIP

 

FWIW, Thursday night in Minneapolis, Young (among the ~10 words he spoke all night) dedicated "Old Man" to Ben Keith.

 

That's for sure. So sad. I'm sure this has just ripped a hole in Neil and Pegi's heart. RIP Mr Keith.