RIP Ben Keith

[Buddy Jennison]

Well, the Big'n's Gone. Don't know who makes out that list, but I sure do wish, they would change catagories, Move over to rap, for a starter. That's not music, anyway. Too many of our REAL pickers, writers, singers are checkin' out, too soon. There is so little real talent coming in to the "BIZ", it's pathetic. The new male "singers", yell, the females scream at the top of their lungs. The only reason the ticket buyers attend is to party, which is alright, I do a little of that myself, then many, many, sing along, or try to. But that happens at all venues. They can do fairly good at Rap, Rock, etc, cause the "STAR", can't sing either!!!!! I'm BONIFIED country, to REAL singers and pickers. In the male catagory : Ray Price, Merlr Haggard, George Jones, etc. The females: Dawn Sears, Connie Smith, Billy Jo Spears, etc.
I kinda got away from the main reason,I got on here, but I said it, and i'm glad!!!! Gonna miss ya' "Big'un. Your old,OLD, Friend. "Little" Buddy.

[Bryan Daste]

What a bummer...I love his style.

[Dave Mudgett]

I guess I have to admit this is true - I thought the first reports might possibly have been a mixup on the Neil fansites with his July 4 house fire in Tennessee.

What a loss - here was a man who covered all the bases, from Faron and Patsy to Neil and Emmylou to Jewel and lots more.

RIP, Brother Ben.

[Josh Sharpe]

this is definitely a shame. ben was definitely on the list of players i'd like to meet and thank. he was my earliest inspiration to start playing pedal steel. for that i owe the world to him.

he was, also, so so tasteful. he always played IN the song and never OVER it. and he wrote such wonderful parts in the process.

[Ned McIntosh]

The man who gave Neil Young that distinctive steel-sound is gone. Such economy in playing, such delicacy of touch, such tone and feeling. I know time passing means we have to lose our greatest, but that does nothing to relieve the pain and sense of loss. Thanks, Ben Keith, for all the music. Godspeed.

[Mike Neer]

I've had a few people through the years ask me to recommend pedal steel players for sessions, stipulating "one who can sound like Neil Young's steel player." At first I didn't understand, but all I had to was drop the needle down on Harvest and it was clear.

[David Rupert]

This is truly, Sad News! I'm shocked, to say the least. I can't say things any better, than what has already been posted. Ben, is definitly one of my steel heroes. Neil Young's "Harvest" album, is one my favorite albums. Ben, added...SO much to the sound of that album! A Classic Album, from two Legends - Neil Young & Ben Keith. His steel playing, added so much...to all of Neil's albums & concerts. Rest in Peace, Ben.

[robert kramer]

Ben Keith obituary from 7/31/10 New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/31/arts/ ... ?ref=music

[Jody Sanders]

Well, Big Ben, while you were here you made a profound mark on the music industry and the steel guitar. You will never be forgotten. REST IN PEACE. Jody.

[Ken Mizell]

Sad. "Heart of Gold" comes to mind. I was recently bummed out when I found out that Neil Young is going to be playing nearby in Sept and I have to be out of town. I was wanting to see Big Ben play in person. It was actually Ben's playing on Heart of Gold that drew me into the Neil Young stuff. I think I'll pull up my MP3 of that tune and play it now...

[Chris Boyd]

RIP Ben...a gentle giant...and thank you..

[b0b]

The Week, a weekly news magazine, devoted half a page to Ben's obituary. I've never seen them even mention a steel guitarist before. His sound struck a chord in the hearts of millions of listeners. Few musicians have been able to do that.

[Pete Burak]

[James Martin (U.K.)]

I've just spotted a full page article and photograph devoted to Ben Keith in the Saturday London Times. And as Bob pointed out this is the first time I've ever seen pedal steel mentioned in the Times here in the UK.