Rusty Young, who was co-founder of the group Poco, has died, Fox News can confirm. He was 75.
Young died of a heart attack at his home in Davisville, Miss, on Wednesday, a representative told Variety.
In the sales area, Poco was founded in 1968 by Young, Richie Furay, Jim Messina, George Grantham and Randy Meisner, who was soon replaced by Timothy B. Schmit. Throughout his 50-year history, Young was the only original band member to stay with Poco.
Although Young had been planning to retire over the years, the country rock band’s repeat continued with Young leading the group, according to Variety.
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Poco’s current orchestra members paid tribute to the late artist on Thursday.
Bassist and singer Jack Sundrud called Young “an innovator and a rock star.” “He remained the constant in Poco for 53 years. It was an honor to perform with him for more than 25 years,” Sundrud said in a statement received by Fox News.
Sundrud added: “He was a gentle and kind man and a good friend. I will miss him very much.”
From left: Timothy B. Schmidt, Jim Messina, Rich Furay, George Grantham, Rusty Young of Poco on September 15, 1970.
(CBS via Getty Images)
Rick Lonow calls Young ‘a truly gifted musician’ who was a pioneer in the ‘fusion of’ country instruments’ with rock music. “
The drummer, who also played with The Flying Burrito Brothers, added: “I love you Rusty; it was an honor to play music with you.”
Guitarist and singer Tom Hampton said: “It may sound cliché to say he changed my life, but he did it in a profound way. I just can not believe he’s gone.”
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Born on February 23, 1946 in Long Beach, California, Norman Russell “Rusty” Young is credited as one of the first musicians to integrate a pedal steel guitar, which at the time was strongly associated with country music, into rock & roll, according to Rolling Stone.
After the departure of several original orchestra members in the 70’s, Young becomes a frontman for the group. He also wrote Poco’s greatest song, ‘Crazy Love’, in 1978.
Singer Rusty Young of the orchestra Poco will perform on November 10, 2017 at The Canyon Club in Agoura Hills, California. Young died Wednesday after suffering a heart attack. He was 75.
(Scott Dudelson / Getty Images)
In an interview with Goldmine in 2014, Young said: “I think things went as they were supposed to go. We had a big hit in 1978, and if Richie (Furay) did not leave the band, and Timmy (Schmit) If I left the band and Jimmy (Jim Messina) left the band, I would never have been a songwriter or singer, so things had to happen for my life to be the way it is. very glad . “
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Poco hosted shows as early as March 2020 until the COVID-19 pandemic brought everything to a halt. In 2017, Young released his first ever solo album titled ‘Waitin’ for the Sun ‘.
Young is survived by his wife Mary, their daughter Sara and son Will, and Mary’s three children Joe, Marci and Hallie. He also has five grandchildren.