Memories of Norman Russell "Rusty" Young (1946-2021, R.I.P.)

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Memories of Norman Russell "Rusty" Young (1946-2021, R.I.P.)

Postby StevenT » Mon Apr 19, 2021 7:56 pm

I know many of us will try to cope with this news as best possible under the circumstances, by holding on to all the positive memories. And perhaps many of us have countless stories to share from the last 50+ years. One I would share is as follows:

Among many other Poco concerts over the years, I was able to see Rusty and the boys at the Rialto Theater in Loveland, CO on 19 September 1998 -- Richie was a guest for the encore. The venue was experiencing some sound problems, and to calm an otherwise restless audience, Rusty went to the lobby, bought _all_ the candy bars at the counter, and walked down the aisles, handing them out, one by one, to a satisfactorily appeased (and amused) audience. I enjoyed a Butterfinger, for the record.

Many say that people are more remembered for their kindness above all, and over 20 years later I remember Rusty for his nice, good-humored gesture that day.

That particular show was the first time I had ever heard "One Tear At A Time", and I remember thinking, "This guy is still writing great material!" I liked the live version, and I also like the 2002 Running Horse as well as the Sky Kings 1992 versions.

I also enjoyed his delivery of the jokes that he was, as he described it, "paid not to tell".
:lol:

In general Rusty made many of us feel like we were welcomed into his living room for an evening of honest, pleasant music, which deserves a whole book much less a blog entry to properly praise.

Thank you Rusty!
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Re: Memories of Norman Russell "Rusty" Young (1946-2021, R.I

Postby CimarronJim2012 » Tue Apr 20, 2021 10:48 pm

This is a very sad day. Fortunately, we have Rusty's incredible body of work to remember him by. And what a body of work he left us with. A steel guitar player like no other; a great songwriter; a voice we will never forget. I'm fortunate enough to have seen quite a few Poco concerts and even got to interview him once for the Poco Fanzine back in 2000. Exhausted as he had to be after the show he still took the time to answer the questions I posed. He had a one of a kind career and the music world lost a giant.
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Re: Memories of Norman Russell "Rusty" Young (1946-2021, R.I

Postby Jiff » Wed Apr 21, 2021 7:09 pm

Sad news indeed. I hope his book gets finished. Of all the singer-writers that have been in Poco, including their work outside of Poco, for me, Rusty has the best catalogue of songs. And my favorite instrumentalist. The post Furay Poco era is my favorite, with Rusty and Paul Cotton up front, especially Indian Summer onward.

Besides the Jayhawks, I've seen Poco in concert more than any other touring band. Had the pleasure of seeing them in Nice, France in 2005. Last sighting was in 2019 in Salem, Oregon with Paul guesting. I also saw Rusty playing steel in Vince Gill's band at a bar in Everett WA in 1988. I would have loved to have seen Rusty do a concert of just songs he wrote and/or sang lead, or at least sprinkle a few in to the usual set list of the latter years.

Some of my favorites chronologically with Rusty as lead singer and/or writer and one in which he has the big solo live (Boomerang):

Rose Of Cimarron
The Dance
Crazy Love
Spellbound
Boomerang
Little Darlin'
Legend
While We're Still Young
Footsteps Of A Fool
A Fool's Paradise
Made Of Stone
Everlasting Kind
Glorybound
Blue And Gray (Was Ken Burns not aware of this song?)
Widowmaker
The Land Of Glory
Ghost Town
Shoot For The Moon
Cry No More
When Hearts Collide
Call It Love
Save A Corner Of Your Heart
What Do People Know
Who Else
One Tear At A Time
Regret
Neil Young

Despite hardly hearing the rest of the band, I like the following video of Rusty getting down on steel on Boomerang in Albany NY, 2002. I saw the similar solo act at the Bottom Line in New York City in 1992. I got a video of, and posted, the Japanese TV program of that concert but was told to take it down.

Albany 2002 video:
https://youtu.be/GsfgWcVbwXo
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A few of my Poco photos at Flickr:
Firefall and Poco at Snoqualmie Casino in 2015:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/67928702@N00/albums/72157651077831065

Stagecoach Poco reunion 2009:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/67928702@N00/albums/72157617459571710
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Re: Memories of Norman Russell "Rusty" Young (1946-2021, R.I

Postby Exposfan » Sat Apr 24, 2021 9:47 am

I was stunned to hear of Rusty's passing...very sad as I've been a Poco Fan since the bust up of Buffalo Springfield. I saw them here in Toronto at the Riverboat...anyone else remember the Boat? I was looking forward to seeing the last concert on this year's tour in Ohio...i wonder, perhaps dream that the former members of the band drop their current schedules and complete the tour for the fans and in memory of..."when it all began"
Too much to hope for? Anyone else thinking about what now?
dy
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Re: Memories of Norman Russell "Rusty" Young (1946-2021, R.I

Postby rock45 » Thu May 20, 2021 10:38 am

I'm so sorry to hear of Rusty's passing; he and his band POCO have provided me so much pleasure and happiness in times of stress. My sincere condolences to Mary and the family. RIP Rusty.
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Re: Memories of Norman Russell "Rusty" Young (1946-2021, R.I

Postby Jiff » Sun Apr 03, 2022 11:28 pm

2022 Grammys - April 3, 2022.

I saw that Rusty was acknowledged in the Grammys memorium segment.

No Paul though, despite acknowledging several business managers and other industry executives that contributed next to nothing to creating music

The Grammys was, once again, mostly glitz and show. There was a few acts in which music performance was foremost:
Brothers Osborn
Lenny Kravitz guitar pyro
Brandi Carlyle
Surprised to see Billy Strings. A portion of his top-of-parking-garage performance got on the program.

Jon Batiste was pretty entertaining, and a fine piano player.

Ben Platt singing Not A Day Goes By:
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