Rick Rosas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rick Rosas
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Rick Rosas (left) performing with Neil Young in 2008.
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| Background information | |
| Born | September 10, 1949 East Los Angeles, California |
| Died | November 6, 2014 (aged 65) Los Angeles, California |
| Instruments | Bass guitar |
| Associated acts | Neil Young, Joe Walsh, Buffalo Springfield, Crazy Horse, Pegi Young and the Survivors, Johnny Rivers, Waddy Wachtel Band |
Rick "Rick the Bass Player" Rosas (born September 10, 1949 – died November 6, 2014) was an American musician. He was known for being a very popular session musician in Los Angeles. This means he was often hired to play on recordings and tours for many different artists.
Rick Rosas worked with many famous musicians. He is best known for his long time playing with Neil Young. He also played with Joe Walsh, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Rivers, Ron Wood, and Etta James. He even played with a reunited Buffalo Springfield band.
In 2014, Rick joined Neil Young and Crazy Horse for their European tour. He filled in for their usual bassist, Billy Talbot, who was unable to tour. This made Rick Rosas the only bassist to play with three of Neil Young's main bands: Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Crazy Horse.
Rick also appeared in the 2015 movie Ricki and The Flash. He played the bass guitar in the band "The Flash." The band backed up actress Meryl Streep, who played the singer "Ricki."
Contents
Early Life and Music Career
Rick Rosas was born in East Los Angeles, California. His parents were Anne and Ralph Rosas. Growing up, he enjoyed listening to music from artists like Elvis and the Everly Brothers.
His first band was called Mark & the Escorts. Later, he recorded an album with a band named Tango.
Working with Joe Walsh
In the early 1980s, Rick met Joe Walsh through drummer Joe Vitale. Rick played on Joe Walsh's 1985 album, The Confessor. He also toured with musician Dan Fogelberg in 1985.
In 1986, Rick's band with Joe Walsh performed with Albert Collins and Etta James. This performance was for a TV show called “Jump the Blues Away.”
Playing with Neil Young
Rick Rosas met Neil Young at a concert called Farm Aid III. Neil Young was very impressed with Rick's bass playing skills. He also liked Rick's calm and friendly personality. Neil Young asked Rick to join his new band, the Bluenotes.
With the Bluenotes, Neil Young recorded the album This Note's For You. Rick appeared in the music video for the album's title song. This video won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Video of the Year in 1989.
After the Bluenotes band ended, Neil Young kept Rick Rosas for a new group. They recorded an EP (a shorter album) called Eldorado. This EP was only released in Japan and Australia. Rick played bass on the famous song "Rockin' in the Free World." This song was on Neil Young's 1989 album, Freedom.
Rick Rosas continued to play with Neil Young on many projects.
- In 2005, he played on the album Prairie Wind. He also appeared in the concert movie Heart of Gold. This movie was filmed at the Grand Ole Opry House.
- He played on Neil Young's next album, Living with War. He then joined the "Freedom of Speech" tour in 2006 with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. This tour led to the film CSNY/Déjà Vu and the album Déjà Vu Live.
- Rick also played on Neil Young's album Chrome Dreams II. He even sang backing vocals on one song.
- He toured with Neil Young's electric band for almost three years. They played songs from all parts of Neil Young's career. A concert film, Neil Young Trunk Show, showed a performance from 2007. In the film, Neil Young praised Rick's skills, saying, "Rick can play anything!"
- Another Neil Young album, Fork in the Road, was recorded during this tour. The tour ended with a concert in Hyde Park where Paul McCartney joined Neil Young on stage. They played a song by the Beatles called "A Day in the Life."
A year later, Neil Young invited Rick to join the reunion of the band Buffalo Springfield. Rick and drummer Joe Vitale played with the original members: Neil Young, Stephen Stills, and Richie Furay. They did a short tour in 2011, but a longer tour was later canceled.
While touring with Pegi Young & the Survivors, Rick got a call from Neil Young. He was asked to fill in for Crazy Horse bassist Billy Talbot. This happened just before their 2014 European Tour. As mentioned earlier, this made Rick the only bassist to play with Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Crazy Horse.
Rick Rosas remained a close friend of Joe Walsh throughout his life. He often played as a guest guitarist with Walsh when their schedules allowed.
Later Life and Passing
Rick Rosas passed away at his home on November 6, 2014. He was 65 years old. The 2015 film Ricki and the Flash, in which he appeared, was dedicated to him. Rick is survived by his longtime partner and wife, Elizabeth.
Discography
Rick Rosas played on many albums. Here are some of them:
with Neil Young:
- 1988 This Note's For You
- 1989 Eldorado
- 1989 Freedom
- 2005 Prairie Wind
- 2006 Living with War
- 2007 Chrome Dreams II
- 2007 Goin' Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino
- 2008 Déjà Vu Live (with CSNY)
- 2009 Fork in the Road
with Johnny Rivers:
- 1998 Last Train to Memphis
- 2001 Back at the Whisky
- 2004 Reinvention Highway
with Jerry Lee Lewis:
- 2010 Mean Old Man
with Ron Wood:
- 2010 I Feel Like Playing
Filmography
Rick Rosas appeared in these films:
- 2006 Heart of Gold
- 2008 CSNY Déjà Vu
- 2010 Neil Young Trunk Show
- 2012 CRAZYTOWN A Visual Music Album
- 2015 Ricki and the Flash
Video and Television Appearances
Rick Rosas also appeared on TV shows and in music videos:
- 1986 Jazzvisions: "Jump the Blues Away" with Joe Walsh, Etta James and Albert King
- 1988 This Note's For You with Neil Young & the Bluenotes. This video won an MTV Music Award.
- 1989 MTV Unplugged with Joe Walsh, Dr. John
- 2005 Late Night with Conan O'Brien with Neil Young
- 2005 Saturday Night Live with Neil Young
- 2005 Farm Aid XX with Neil Young & the Prairie Wind Band
- 2006 Living with War with Neil Young (recording sessions DVD)
- 2006 Late Show with David Letterman with Jerry Lee Lewis & Neil Young
- 2006 Farm Aid XXI with Neil Young & the Prairie Wind Band
- 2008 Farm Aid XXIII with Neil Young & His Electric Band
- 2009 Hard Rock Live with Neil Young & His Electric Band and Paul McCartney
- 2009 Farm Aid with Neil Young & His Electric Band
- 2010 Last Man Standing video with Jerry Lee Lewis
See also
In Spanish: Rick Rosas para niños
