Neil Young sideman Ben Keith, dead at 73, played with Bob Dylan in studio and on stage - with audio.

Ben Keith, best known as Neil Young's on-and-off sideman since his 1972 hit album, Harvest, has died. He was 73.

This is another devastating loss to Young. In January, Young lost his friend, film producer Larry "L.A." Johnson, who also worked with Bob Dylan on his 1978 film, Renaldo and Clara. He has, of course, lost many other friends throughout the years.

Daniel Lanois, who is producing Young's upcoming album, was recently involved in a motorcycle accident in which he claimed he almost died. Lanois worked with Dylan on two albums, Oh Mercy and Time Out Of Mind. 

(Sony)

Keith played on one Dylan session (Courtesy of Olof): 

Blue Rock Studios, New York City, New York, 4 November 1971
Produced by Bob Dylan.

1. George Jackson (Big Band Version)
2. George Jackson (Acoustic Version)
3. Wallflower
4. (Rumored: "Donald and Lydia")
Bob Dylan (guitar, harmonica, vocal).
1, 3 backed by Kenneth Buttrey (drums), Ben Keith (steel guitar), Leon Russell (bass).
1 Joshie Armstead and Rosie Hicks (background vocals). 

1, 2 released on single Columbia 4-45516, 12 November 1971.

1 released on MASTERPIECES, CBS/SONY 57 AP875-7, March 1978 in Japan, and later 1978 in Australia and New Zealand.

3 released on THE BOOTLEG SERIES (RARE & UNRELEASED) 1961-1991, Volume 2, Columbia 468 086 2, 26 March 1991.

On March 23, 1975, Dylan played on stage with Keith, Young, Tim Drummond, and members of The Band:

Kezar Stadium, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California
23 March 1975: S.N.A.C.K. Benefit

1. Are You Ready For The Country? (Neil Young)
2. Ain't That A Lot Of Love (Homer Banks & William Parker)
3. Looking For A Love (Neil Young)
4 Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever (Ivy Hunter/Stevie Wonder)
5 I Want You
6 The Weight (Robbie Robertson)
7 Helpless (Neil Young)
8 Knockin' On Heaven's (the Dragon's) Door
9 Will The Circle Be Unbroken (A. P. Carter)

Bob Dylan (piano, guitar, harmonica), Neil Young (piano, guitar), Ben Keith (pedal steel guitar). Tim Drummond (guitar), Garth Hudson (keyboards), Rick Danko (bass), Levon Helm (drums).

1, 5, 7 Bob Dylan guitar, harmonica, vocal.
2 Bob Dylan piano, Levon Helm vocal.
3, 7, 8 Bob Dylan guitar, Neil Young vocal.
4, 6 Bob Dylan guitar, Levon Helm & Rick Danko vocals.
9 Bob Dylan vocal & guitar, Neil Young vocal.

Notes
· Bob Dylan’s microphone was not functioning; his vocal is therefore almost inaudible.
· Broadcast by K101-FM radio in San Francisco.
· S.N.A.C.K. stands for “Students need Athletic and Cultural Kicks”.

Wolfgang's Vault is streaming this entire set. You can hear samples above and below, but Dylan, unfortunately, cannot be heard.

Dylan and Keith appeared together on the David Blue track, "Who Love (If Not You Love)". Blue would soon appear in Renaldo and Clara  as well as Neil Young's Human Highway. 

Elektra Sound Studios, Los Angeles, California, Summer 1975
David Blue recording session.

1. Who Love (If Not You Love) (David Blue)

David Blue (vocal & guitar), Bob Dylan (harmonica), Ben Benay (guitar), Ben Keith (pedal steel guitar), Kreag Caffey (harmonica), Dick Hamilton (Moog synthesizer), Larry Nash (piano), Max Bennet (bass), John Guerin (drums), Karin Lamm (background vocal).

Official release -Released on DAVID BLUE: COM’N BACK FOR MORE. Asylum 7E-1043, 1975.

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