Rusty Young RIP

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 15 Apr 2021 12:45 pm

https://americansongwriter.com/poco-co- ... ack-at-75/

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 15 Apr 2021 12:58 pm

Darn.
RIP Rusty!
They mentioned this when they introduced him the last time I saw him live with Poco in Corvalis Oregon a few years back:
"Young is the only group member to have played at every single live concert and on every Poco recording since 1968."

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 15 Apr 2021 1:01 pm

Wow, really sad to hear. I first met Rusty in 1968, about a year after "Kind Woman" and the beginning of Poco. Super nice guy, one year older than I.

A little over a year ago I went to see "Poco" and had a brief but excellent conversation with Rusty and we enjoyed talking about "the old days."

He shall be missed, of this I am sure.

Jon Light · Post by **Jon Light** » 15 Apr 2021 1:13 pm

Wow. Damn.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 15 Apr 2021 1:18 pm

How sad!! Rusty Young was a significant figure to me, starting to play steel as I did in the early-1970s. That, and the ZB-connection - my first steels were ZBs.

I only saw him once - a concert at London's Rainbow Room sometime in the '70s. He sounded just great to me! 'Hoedown' sticks out in my mind, as does his steel part on 'You'd Better Think Twice', in my opinion, country-rock's greatest track.

RIP, Rusty Young.

Greg Simmons · Post by **Greg Simmons** » 15 Apr 2021 1:28 pm

Vaya con Dios, Rusty. Thanks for the music.

Clyde Mattocks · Post by **Clyde Mattocks** » 15 Apr 2021 1:29 pm

Our band, Super Grit opened for Poco several times. Rusty was a very genial guy. He was always complimentary of my playing which boosted my self worth. The last time we were together, he was fronting the band and didn't play any steel. He played dobro on a few tunes. His legacy is secure. R.I.P. Prayers to his family, bandmates and all who loved him.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 15 Apr 2021 1:31 pm

I'm stunned by this news.

Rusty was my very first inspiration on PSG. Kind Woman opened my ears and heart to that sound. I went to so many Poco concerts that I lost count.

I remember back in the early 70's bringing "Pickin' Up the Pieces" over to Scotty to listen to. His ears picked right up and he really wanted to know who that was. He hadn't heard of Rusty yet. Fast-forward about 40 years and Rusty was inducted into the SGHOF. (Right or wrong, I always felt like I had a little something to do with that.) Unfortunately, my mom was ill in the hospital that weekend and I had to cancel my plans to be there for the HOF induction.

I sure wasn't expecting this.

RIP and thank you so much, Rusty!

rick andrews · Post by **rick andrews** » 15 Apr 2021 1:42 pm

I really liked Poco. But it was Rusty's work on Suite Steel that blew me away. RIP.

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 15 Apr 2021 1:44 pm

Stunningly sad news. Rest easy, Rusty. All the best to his wife and family.

Jeff Garden · Post by **Jeff Garden** » 15 Apr 2021 1:55 pm

I'll bet literally thousands of our Forum members were influenced in some way by Rusty and his pedal steel. I backed into traditional country pedal steel years later - for me growing up it was all about country rock and bands like Poco. I finally met Rusty several years ago at a Poco concert and he couldn't have been nicer or more gracious. That conversation will be my lasting memory of him. Rest in peace and thank you for your music and everything you've done for the steel community over the decades.

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 15 Apr 2021 2:00 pm

No!!My condolences to all of Rusty's friends and Family...absolutely loved his playing!

Dale Rottacker · Post by **Dale Rottacker** » 15 Apr 2021 2:03 pm

Jeff Garden wrote:I'll bet literally thousands of our Forum members were influenced in some way by Rusty and his pedal steel. I backed into traditional country pedal steel years later - for me growing up it was all about country rock and bands like Poco. I finally met Rusty several years ago at a Poco concert and he couldn't have been nicer or more gracious. That conversation will be my lasting memory of him. Rest in peace and thank you for your music and everything you've done for the steel community over the decades.

Wow this is a shock... Age certainly isn't always the determining factor, but he was way too young... Although I never really gravitated to the Country Rock stuff, Rusty was still all over my house and in my 8-Track far more times than not... I'd read all his column in Guitar Player every month. Sad Day

John De Maille · Post by **John De Maille** » 15 Apr 2021 2:12 pm

That's a shame. He was an inspiration to me too.
RIP Rusty, condolences to his family.

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 15 Apr 2021 2:41 pm

Another hard pill to swallow. He and Poco were a big part of my musical grounding back then. Saw them quite a few times back in the "good ole days". RIP Rusty.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 15 Apr 2021 2:50 pm

I'm saddened & shocked.....Rusty Young, Buddy Cage, Sneaky Pete.....these were the guys who pioneered the 70s country rock genre and influenced a slew of (us) players through out the years......

RIP Rusty.....Poco was your life, and you were the life of Poco......

Adair Torres · Post by **Adair Torres** » 15 Apr 2021 2:54 pm

RIP Rusty, condolences to his family.

A great inspiration.

Colm Chomicky · Post by **Colm Chomicky** » 15 Apr 2021 3:14 pm

Just heard via social media. Obviously not expecting this. RIP Rusty Young. Seems too soon.

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 15 Apr 2021 3:16 pm

Oh, man... sad & shocking news. Another one gone. He opened up a lot of ears to our instrument.
Vaya con Dios, Rusty...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zbdmxe8 ... img][/img]

Bill Dobkins · Post by **Bill Dobkins** » 15 Apr 2021 3:45 pm

RIP Rusty, I'm to sad to comment at this time.

Craig Stock · Post by **Craig Stock** » 15 Apr 2021 3:49 pm

Same for me as many of the rest of you, he shaped my love of the pedal steel, got to meet him twice and saw Poco whenever they came through the area.

Peace to his wife and family during this sad time.

I also found it to be neat that he lived in Steelville, Missouri

Peter Jacobs · Post by **Peter Jacobs** » 15 Apr 2021 4:35 pm

So sad, gone way too soon. I only saw him once, when Poco opened for the Doobie Brothers at Madison Square Garden. Totally blew me away then, and every time I listen to Sagebrush Serenade, I know what rock steel is supposed to sound like. Rest well, Rusty.

Larry Miller · Post by **Larry Miller** » 15 Apr 2021 4:40 pm

RIP Rusty.

John Ciano · Post by **John Ciano** » 15 Apr 2021 4:44 pm

I did not even know what the dang thing was till I saw Poco at the Fillmore East around 1971. The night that changed my life!

Edward Efira · Post by **Edward Efira** » 15 Apr 2021 4:52 pm

He really turned me into the pedal steel, will be sorely missed, R.I.P. Rusty, Godspeed.