Join Amazon Prime for exclusive deals, fast shipping, and endless entertainment! Sign up now!
The sad news that legendary original drummer from the alternative rock band Pavement, Gary Young, has passed away at the age of 70 has been met with great sadness and remembrance.
He was a driving force behind their music and was highly revered for his talents as a musician.
Gary Young was born in Mamaroneck, New York in 1953 and began his musical career back in the 1980s when he booked musical acts to play around Stockton, including Dead Kennedys, Circle Jerks and Black Flag.
It wasn’t long before he formed punk band The Fall Of Christianity with Brian Thalken of The Authorities.
In 1989, Gary played an important role in the formation of Pavement when Stephen Malkmus and Scott Kannberg recorded their first EP “Slay Tracks” at Young’s Louder Than You Think Studio.
He also appeared on their next two EPs Demolition Plot J-7 (1990) and Perfect Sound Forever (1991).
His drumming skills were so impressive that he soon gained them a reputation on stage as well as off it – greeting fans personally at the door with cabbage, mashed potatoes or cinnamon toast being just some of his antics.
In 1993 Gary left Pavements due to conflicting issues within the band but they reunited again for two shows together in 2010.
After leaving the group he released three albums Hospital (1994), Things We Do For You (1997) and The Grey Album (2002).
He was ranked number 42 on Stylus Magazine’s list of 50 Greatest Rock Drummers and even developed and patented Universal Shock Mount used for microphones.
In 2013 he featured in Jed I Rosenberg documentary ‘Louder Than You Think’ which won him much acclaim amongst fellow musicians after its premiere at South by Southwest Festival that year.
Stephen Malkmus announced his passing on social media saying: “Gary’s pavement drums were ‘one take and hit record’…. Nailed it so well. rip”.
Record label Matador Records who released their 1992 debut album Slanted And Enchanted shared touching words about him too: “We were exceedingly lucky to know this amazing human..much love today to his family, friends and bandmates”.
Fans too paid tribute to him on social media one saying: “These songs and his drumming truly shaped me as a young music fan finding my feet.”
Another commented: “Sad news, another legend gone!”
