Ben Keith: 1937 - 2010Bridge Benefit Concert 2008
Photo by Craig Abaya
Ben Keith, Neil Young's long time band mate and friend, has passed away. Ben was 73.
Ben Keith, was a multi-talented musician who Neil Young first met in Nashville in February 1971 when Neil was recording the multi-platinum LP Harvest. Legend has it that Neil asked bassist Tim Drummond if he knew any pedal-steel players in town. Tim contacted Ben, who lived in town and off he went to the studio: "I didn't know who anyone was, so I asked, who's that guy over there?" and was told "that's Neil Young".
I first saw Ben Keith on 05 Nov 1973 at The Rainbow, London. Neil was playing Tonight's The Night to a generally stunned audience who were expecting After The Goldrush and Harvest. Ben played steel guitar throughout.
ReplyDeleteI last saw him at the Trent FM Arena, Nottingham on 23 June 2009. Here he was part of "Neil Young and his Electric Band" and played rhythm guitar as well as steel.
This guy is just irreplaceable. Think of all those songs when the steel kicks in and you just melt. That is Ben. Listen to Deep Forbidden Lake for me because I won't be able to for a while.
He is sadly, sadly missed.