Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for CMHOFVeteran session guitarist Reggie Young, who played on classic hits by Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond, Dobie Gray, B.J. Thomas and dozens more, died Thursday at age 82 at his Nashville area home, The Commercial Appeal reports.
Young, whose career spanned seven decades, played for years in the house bands at Memphis’ Hi Records and American Studios, before establishing himself as one of Nashville’s most sought-after session musicians.
Among the memorable recordings Young lent his guitar talents to: Presley’s “Suspicious Minds” and “In the Ghetto,” Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” Gray’s “Drift Away,” Thomas’ “Hooked on a Feeling,” Dusty Springfield‘s “Son of a Preacher Man,” The Box Tops‘ “Cry Like a Baby,” Willie Nelson‘s “Always on My Mind,” Kenny Rogers‘ “Lucille” and country supergroup The Highwaymen‘s “Highwayman.”
Reggie was inducted into Nashville’s Musicians Hall of Fame in 2007.
Young didn’t release his first solo album until 2017, a collection of original instrumentals titled Forever Young. A new compilation titled Session Guitar Star, featuring highlights from Reggie’s long career, is due out next month.
B.J. Thomas paid tribute to Young in a post on his Twitter feed, writing, “RIP Reggie Young. The greatest guitar player of them all in my book. A friend for over 40 years.”
According to The Tennessean, Young is survived by his wife of 15 years, Jenny; a son and a daughter; five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
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