b. Fort Riley, Kansas, March 6, 1937; d. July 26, 2010

Nashville Cat

Ben Keith was a prominent Nashville pedal steel guitarist and dobro specialist before becoming a producer and instrumentalist for Neil Young. Keith first recorded with Young on the landmark album Harvest in 1971. He would record and tour with Young for the rest of his life; Keith was living at Young’s California ranch at the time of his death, at age seventy-three. The steel guitarist also played the role of Grandpa Green in the feature film Greendale, written and directed by Young.

Keith was featured on the 1972 Neil Young album, Harvest

Fringed leather jacket with Neil Young’s broken arrow logo on the back, made by Tony Alamo of Nashville and worn by Ben Keith. Courtesy of Heidi Denning

Keith was featured on the 1972 Neil Young album, Harvest

Fringed leather jacket with Neil Young’s broken arrow logo on the back, made by Tony Alamo of Nashville and worn by Ben Keith. Courtesy of Heidi Denning

Keith was born in Kansas and later moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky. He toured with Faron Young for several years and played on Patsy Cline’s hit “I Fall to Pieces.” He also recorded with country stars Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and the Trio (Harris, Dolly Parton, and Linda Ronstadt).

Keith also worked extensively with rock musicians, including Ringo Starr, Tracy Nelson, Todd Rundgren, the Band, Paul Butterfield, and Crosby, Stills, and Nash.

Along with co-producing several Young albums, Keith did production work on albums by Bobby Charles, Billy Cox, and Otis Williams, and on Jewel’s multi-million-selling album Pieces of You.

Metal road case used heavily by Ben Keith. Courtesy of Heidi Denning. Photo by Bob Delevante

Metal road case used heavily by Ben Keith. Courtesy of Heidi Denning. Photo by Bob Delevante

Neil Young (left) and Ben Keith collaborated on numerous albums and tours for nearly forty years.

Listen to Ben Keith

Now Playing
Danny’s Song – Anne Murray

Selected Songs

Neil Young, “Old Man” (Neil Young)
The musicians featured on this recording are Ben Keith, pedal steel guitar; Neil Young, acoustic guitar; Andy McMahon, piano; James Taylor, banjo-guitar and backing vocal; Tim Drummond, bass; Kenny Buttrey, drums; Linda Ronstadt, backing vocal.
From the album Harvest, 1972. Produced by Elliot Mazer and Neil Young at Quadrafonic Sound Studios, Nashville.

Neil Young, “Out on the Weekend” (Neil Young)
Among the musicians featured on this recording are Ben Keith, pedal steel guitar; Neil Young, harmonica; Tim Drummond, bass; Kenny Buttrey, drums.
From the album Harvest, 1972. Produced by Elliot Mazer and Neil Young at Quadrafonic Sound Studios, Nashville.

Mother Earth, “Wait, Wait, Wait” (Allen Toussaint)
Among the musicians featured on this recording are Ben Keith, dobro; Johnny Gimble, fiddle; Shorty Lavender, fiddle; Larry Butler, piano; Jack Drake, bass; D.J. Fontana, drums.
From the album Make a Joyful Noise, 1968. Produced by Travis Rivers and Tracy Nelson, Nashville.

Steve Goodman, “You Never Even Call Me by My Name” (Steve Goodman)
Among the musicians featured on this recording are Ben Keith, dobro; David Briggs, piano; Donnie Fritts, organ; Charlie McCoy, harmonica; Norbert Putnam, bass; Kenny Buttrey, drums.
From the album Steve Goodman, 1971. Produced by Kris Kristofferson and Norbert Putnam at Quadrafonic Sound Studios, Nashville.

Patsy Cline, “I Fall to Pieces” (Hank Cochran, Harlan Howard)
The musicians featured on this recording are Ben Keith, pedal steel guitar; Hank Garland, electric guitar; Randy Hughes, acoustic guitar; Pig Robbins, piano; Harold Bradley, six-string electric bass; Bob Moore, acoustic bass; Doug Kirkham, drums; the Jordanaires, backing vocals.
From the album Patsy Cline Showcase, 1961. Produced by Owen Bradley at Bradley Film & Recording Studio, Nashville.

Anne Murray, “Danny’s Song” (Kenny Loggins)
Among the musicians featured on this recording are Ben Keith, pedal steel guitar; Brian Ahern, guitar; Pat Riccio, keyboards; Brently Titcomb, harmonica; Skip Beckwith, bass; Andy Cree, drums.
From the album Danny’s Song, 1973. Produced by Brian Ahern, Toronto.

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