Rusty Young, founding member of the country rock band Poco, has died at age 75.
Young's management confirmed to USA TODAY Thursday that Young, born Norman Russell Young, died of a heart attack at his home in Davisville, Missouri on Wednesday.
"I just received word that my friend Rusty Young has passed away and crossed that line into eternity," founding member Richie Furay said in a statement to Variety. "My heart is saddened; he was a dear and longtime friend who help me pioneer and create a new Southern California musical sound called 'country rock.' He was an innovator on the steel guitar and carried the name Poco on for more than 50 years. Our friendship was real and he will be deeply missed. My prayers are with his wife, Mary, and his children Sara and Will."
Young formed Poco in 1967 with former Buffalo Springfield members Richie Furay and Jim Messina after Young was invited to play the steel guitar on Buffalo Springfield’s third and final album. George Grantham also joined Poco.
Over the next five decades, Young remained the only constant member of the band, which also included a rotation of members Randy Meisner, Timothy B. Schmit and guitarist Paul Cotton over the years.
The group's biggest hit was the Adult Contemporary #1 single "Crazy Love," which Young wrote in less than 30 minutes while working on his house. During a 2008 interview with MetroActive, Young said the hit song "was our first hit single. It's a classic, and it still pays the mortgage."
Rick Alter, Poco and Young’s manager of more than 20 years, described Young as "a once-in-a-lifetime musician, songwriter, performer and friend."
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