Ben Keith RIP

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 26 Jul 2010 6:48 pm

According to Neil Young fan site Ben passed away...

Chris Dorch · Post by **Chris Dorch** » 26 Jul 2010 7:00 pm

If'n that's true... I'll need to put Harvest on repeat...

RIP...

Jeremy Threlfall · Post by **Jeremy Threlfall** » 26 Jul 2010 7:03 pm

Due to the sales of Neil Young albums (inside and outside the US, inside and outside country music), I would expect that Ben Keith would be one of the most widely heard pedal steel players ever.

A true hero.

Ryan Barwin · Post by **Ryan Barwin** » 26 Jul 2010 9:20 pm

His beautifully tasteful playing with Neil Young was a big inspiration for me to learn steel guitar, and was my first influence. Rest in peace, Ben.

Dave Harmonson · Post by **Dave Harmonson** » 26 Jul 2010 10:25 pm

That is really bad news. He's going to be missed.

Ian Miller · Post by **Ian Miller** » 26 Jul 2010 10:28 pm

One of my favorite clips of Ben with the Deputies:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJWnqlZhR3g

RIP, Big Ben.

Marc Jenkins · Post by **Marc Jenkins** » 26 Jul 2010 10:34 pm

That is truly sad. One of my heroes!
RIP, Ben.

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 26 Jul 2010 10:51 pm

Shane Reilly · Post by **Shane Reilly** » 26 Jul 2010 11:03 pm

The first day I got my steel I put on Harvest and it has been my BENch mark ever since.Thanks Mr Keith.

Ben Jones · Post by **Ben Jones** » 27 Jul 2010 5:53 am

NOOOOO!

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 27 Jul 2010 6:21 am

Ben Jones wrote:NOOOOO!

Exactly.

Ben Jones · Post by **Ben Jones** » 27 Jul 2010 6:49 am

the articles I am reading say he died earlier this month cause unknown. hopefully this is a misunderstanding from the fire that destroyed his nashville home earlier this month but left him unharmed and he isnt really gone??!!
http://www.spinner.com/2010/07/27/ben-keith-dead/

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 27 Jul 2010 7:26 am

Very sad news.
Vaya con Dios, Ben.

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 27 Jul 2010 7:28 am

Very disturbing way to start off the day....many regards to all around him...

Jon Hyde · Post by **Jon Hyde** » 27 Jul 2010 7:34 am

Such sad news. He inspired SO many!!

Mike Merz · Post by **Mike Merz** » 27 Jul 2010 8:07 am

Ben, I really hope this is a misunderstanding.I think his house burnt down on July 4th and Forum member Fish spoke with Ben after that and said he was fine.I went to the Neil Young concert last tuesday in Seattle hopeing to see Ben but it was a solo show no band.Neil was in good spirits.Ben Keith was my Guru!I pray this is a mistake.

Ben Jones · Post by **Ben Jones** » 27 Jul 2010 8:41 am

yeah Fish spoke with him on July 16. I cant find any news sources others than the ones linked...and they are vague and mysterious . please let this be false.

Bob Knetzger · Post by **Bob Knetzger** » 27 Jul 2010 9:10 am

Nuts. This is sad news.

Count me as another fan who started playing steel in the 70's and was inspired by Ben's playing. I always admired the taste, tone and simplicity of his elegant playing.

Shane Reilly · Post by **Shane Reilly** » 27 Jul 2010 9:31 am

Rolling Stone article.
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/17386/185381

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 27 Jul 2010 9:51 am

Neil Young Sideman Ben Keith Dies at 73
Guitarist played on "Rockin' in the Free World," "Tonight's the Night," "Old Man," many more
By Andy Greene
Jul 27, 2010 10:39 AM EDT

Ben Keith, a steel guitarist and multi-instrumentalist who played
alongside Neil Young for nearly 40 years, has died of unknown causes. He was 73.

His work will live on for a long, long time...

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 27 Jul 2010 10:06 am

Forum obit is in the Gone Home section:
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=188630

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 27 Jul 2010 11:20 am

That video of "Goin' Steady" also has a young Odell Martin on guitar... what a great band!

I only had one conversation with Ben, but he was a cool guy, I could tell.

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 27 Jul 2010 11:44 am

When I moved from Texas to L.A.I went to see Willie Nelson at the Universal amphitheater.There was a section in the wings side of the stage with about 20 seats set aside for family and friends,Willie's road Manager the late Poodie Locke seated me in between Ben Keith and the Band's Richard Manuel,I spent most of the concert passing a whiskey bottle from Ben to Richard and back again.Two of the nicest guys I've ever met.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 27 Jul 2010 4:50 pm

I knew Ben around the time of that video with Faron. He went on to make quite a name for himself, and deservedly so. I will miss him in my heart. Another great steel player of my generation gone. RIP

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 27 Jul 2010 10:18 pm

I'm with all here. He inspired me from day-one when I found out he was one of the "Stray Gators". A unique steeler, for sure.

RIP, Ben