He was the guitarist on over 120 hit records, that were all recorded in Memphis Tennessee’s American Sound Studio. Reggie Young was the guitarist in the house band. He was one of the most respected session men.
Reggie Young and The Memphis Boys with Elvis at American Studios |
His distinctive guitar can be heard on “Son of A Preacher Man”, “Drift Away”, “Suspicious Minds”, “In The Ghetto”, “Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song”, Billy Swan (I Can Help), and “Sweet Caroline”.
Reggie Young with Electric Sitar |
His Coral Electric sitar can be heard on “Cry Like A Baby”, and “Hooked On A Feeling.”
Reggie Young passed away on January 17th, at his home just outside of Nashville, in the small town of Leipers Fork. He was 82 years old.
The great thing about Reggie, and all the other session players on these recognizable hits, is that when the singer or songwriter came to the studio, they had a song, but usually no arrangement.
The session players would listen to the songs, at just jumped in, playing in the groove. Within a short period of time, they had not only a musical arrangement, but a hit recording. They knew music, and they knew the styles of the day, and they made those songs their own.
B.J. Thomas, The Memphis Boys & Chips Moman |
A long time ago, after Eric Clapton learned who was playing those guitar parts, he declared that Reggie Young was the greatest player he ever heard.
A younger Reggie Young |
Young’s family moved to Memphis in 1950. By age 15 Reggie was gigging with local bands. He played with a local rockabilly singer named Eddie Bond, and put his signature lick on Bond’s recording, “Rockin’ Daddy”.
He was later hired by country star Johnny Horton, before getting a job in the house band at the South Memphis Royal Studios/Hi Records, where he recorded hits with Bill Black’s Combo.
Reggie Young with The Bill Black Combo |
In the mid-1960’s Young began working with Chips Moman at his American Sound Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, as part of the house band known as The Memphis Boys.
American Sound Studio |
This small, undescript building produced an unprecedented string of hit records for so many popular artists, especially in the 1970’s.
Reggie Young |
In 1972 Reggie Young left Memphis and headed to Nashville for the studio work there.
Reggie with Merle Haggard |
Reggie Young and his wife Jenny Lynn |
Young playing lead guitar with The Highwaymen |
During his tenure in Memphis, and Nashville, Young would do at least 20 sessions a week.
Dobie Gray |
Reggie Young can be heard playing the very recognizable opening finger-style G to C major lick on Elvis’ hit recording “Suspicious Minds”
Country Music HOF "Nashville Cats" |
A recording was in the works at the time of his death, called Reggie Young: Session Guitar Star. It is due out on January 25 on the U.K. label Ace Records.
Click on the links below the pictures for sources. Click on the links in the text for more information.
©UniqueGuitar Publications (text only)
3 comments:
Thanks for this. I'm a guitar fanatic for many decades and never heard of Reggie before. Just shows to go ya that some of the greatest musicians are those tireless session players, in the background and away from the limelight.
Thanks for stopping by zdub. Reggie was awesome and humble about his contribution to the American song book. Those session guys are all incredible.
~ Marc
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