Rusty Young, the frontman and co-founder of country rock band Poco, died of a heart attack on Wednesday. He was 75.
A spokesman for the musician confirmed to PEOPLE that Young passed away at his home in Davisville, Missouri.
The musician — who’s full name is Norman Russell Young — formed Poco with Richie Furay, George Grantham and Jim Messina in 1967.
Sad: Rusty Young, the frontman and co-founder of country rock band Poco, died of a heart attack on Wednesday. He was 75; seen in 2017
Furay invited Young to Los Angeles in 1967 to play steel on Buffalo Springfield’s third and final album, Last Time Around, and Poco was formed shortly after.
Through the years, Young remained the only constant member of the band, which also at times included Randy Meisner, Timothy B. Schmit and Paul Cotton.
‘I just received word that my friend Rusty Young has passed away and crossed that line into eternity,’ Richie Furay said in a statement to Variety.
Back in the day: The musician — who’s full name is Norman Russell Young — formed Poco with Richie Furay, George Grantham and Jim Messina in 1967
‘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.’
Rusty took the lead as a singer and songwriter, and the band received their first and only top 10 hit for his ballad Crazy Love.
In 2014, he told Goldmine that he band’s ever-changing roster wasn’t a big deal and ‘things went the way they were supposed to go.’
Star: Through the years, Young remained the only constant member of the band, which also at times included Randy Meisner, Timothy B. Schmit and Paul Cotton; seen in 1973
‘We did have a big hit in 1978, and if it hadn’t been for Richie leaving the band, and Timmy (Schmit) leaving the band, and Jimmy leaving the band, I never would have been a songwriter or a singer, so those things had to happen for my life to be the life it is. So I’m really pleased,’ he said.
The band’s manager for more than 20 years, Ricky Alter, noted that Rusty was ‘unpretentious’ with a deep love for music.
‘Rusty was the most unpretentious, caring and idyllic artist I have ever worked with, a natural life force that he consistently poured into his music,’ he said. ‘To fans and fellow musicians alike, he was a once-in-a-lifetime musician, songwriter, performer and friend.’
Young is survived by wife Mary, daughter Sara and son Will, as well as Mary’s three children Joe, Marci and Hallie.
He also has five grandchildren: Chandler, Ryan, Graham, Quentin and Emma.
‘Rusty was the most unpretentious, caring and idyllic artist I have ever worked with, a natural life force that he consistently poured into his music,’ he said. ‘To fans and fellow musicians alike, he was a once-in-a-lifetime musician, songwriter, performer and friend’ (seen in 2018