Steve Young (musician)

Steve Young (born July 12, 1942) is an American country music singer, songwriter and guitarist, known for his song "Seven Bridges Road" (on Rock Salt & Nails & Seven Bridges Road). He is a pioneer of the country rock, Americana, and alternative country sounds, and also a vital force behind the 'outlaw movement' that gave support to the careers of Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams, Jr. and more. Young was also featured in the 1975 Outlaw Country documentary Heartworn Highways. He is the subject of the song "The All Golden" by Van Dyke Parks.

Biography

Born in Newnan, Georgia, he grew up in Gadsden, Alabama, Georgia and Texas, moving from place to place as his family searched for work.[1] By the time he had completed high school, Young was playing and writing songs that incorporated influences of folk, blues, country and gospel that he absorbed while travelling throughout the South. In the late 60s he worked with Van Dyke Parks and was member of the psychedelic country band Stone Country.

Steve Young wrote (and continues to write) many songs, including outlaw classics such as "Lonesome, On'ry and Mean" (covered by Waylon Jennings) and "Montgomery In the Rain" (covered by Hank Williams, Jr.).

His best-known composition is "Seven Bridges Road", which became a major hit for Eagles when they included a cover of it on their live album in 1980. Earlier covers of the song were done by Joan Baez, Tracy Nelson & Mother Earth and Ian Matthews.

In 1984, Young charted the single "It's Not Supposed to Be That Way" on RCA Records. It peaked at No. 84 on Hot Country Songs.[2]

The 1996 concert recording by Van Dyke Parks entitled "Moonlighting: Live at the Ash Grove" (released in 1998) was headlined by Steve Young although he doesn't appear on the recordings. Van Dyke Parks stated in the introduction to the song "The All Golden," that it was written about Steve Young. However, this comment does not appear on the recording of the concert.

Discography

Year Album US Country
1969 Rock Salt & Nails
1972 Seven Bridges Road
1975 Honky Tonk Man
1976 Renegade Picker 48
1978 No Place to Fall
1981 To Satisfy You
1984 Old Memories
1986 Look Homeward Angel
1990 Long Time Rider
1991 Solo/Live
1993 Switchblades of Love
2000 Primal Young
2005 Songlines Revisited Volume One
2007 Stories Round the Horseshoe Bend

References

  1. http://trevormcshanemusic.wordpress.com/2010/07/15/steveyoung/
  2. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 485. ISBN 0-89820-177-2.

External links

Official site: www.steveyoung.net