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Gary Young (drummer)

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Gary Young
Birth nameGarrit Allan Robertson Young
Also known asPlantman
Born(1953-05-03)May 3, 1953
Mamaroneck, New York, U.S.
OriginStockton, California, U.S.
DiedAugust 17, 2023(2023-08-17) (aged 70)
Stockton, California, U.S.
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • drums
  • keyboards
Years active1984–2023
Labels
Member ofGary Young's Hospital
Formerly ofPavement

Garrit Allan Robertson Young[1] (May 3, 1953 – August 17, 2023) was an American musician and music producer. He was best known as the original drummer of the indie rock band Pavement from its inception in 1989 until his departure in 1993.

Early life

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Young was born in Mamaroneck, New York on May 3, 1953.[2][3] His father, Bob Young,[4] was an engineer in the plastics business with deep knowledge of carbon fiber. He worked with Ned Steinberger in the development of the construction of his electric bass for the Steinberger company.[5]

Career

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Early career: 1984–1989

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In the 1980s, Young booked musical acts to play around Stockton, including Dead Kennedys, Circle Jerks and Black Flag. Early in the decade, he played in the punk band The Fall of Christianity with Brian Thalken of The Authorities.[6]

Pavement: 1989–1993; 2010

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Stephen Malkmus and Scott Kannberg formed Pavement in Stockton, California in 1989. Their first EP, Slay Tracks (1933-1969), was recorded at Young's Louder Than You Think Studio[7] with Young contributing drums.[8] Young would also appear on their next two EPs, Demolition Plot J-7,[9] and Perfect Sound Forever,[10] released in 1990 and 1991, respectively, as well as their 1992 debut album, Slanted and Enchanted.[11][12] Young began gaining the band a degree of notoriety with his on- and offstage antics. He was noted for greeting the audience at the door, giving out vegetables, such as cabbage, to fans, and for doing headstands.[11]

His last release as a member of the group was the EP Watery, Domestic. He later appeared on two tracks on the Major Leagues EP as a producer.[12]

Young was fired from Pavement in 1993 due to conflicts with Malkmus and the rest of the band.[13][2] He reunited with the band to play two shows in 2010.[12]

Later career: 1993–2023

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After leaving Pavement, Young released three albums, Hospital, Things We Do for You, and The Grey Album under the name Gary Young's Hospital.[12] The music video for the song "Plant Man" was featured in the Beavis and Butthead Season 5 episode "Skin Trade."[14] In 2016, he collaborated with recording engineer Richard Selleseth on the album Malfunction.[12][15]

Young also developed and patented the Universal Shock Mount used for microphones. Making them each individually himself, he has sold over 13,000 units to distributors and online.[11]

Young was ranked #42 of the 50 Greatest Rock Drummers by Stylus Magazine.[16]

In 2023, he starred in a documentary about his own life and career made by Jed I. Rosenberg and titled Louder Than You Think. The film had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 13, 2023[17] and received critical acclaim, winning the "Audience Award"; Alan French of Sunshine State Cineplex called it "illuminating and nostalgic,"[18] and Serena Seghedoni of Loud and Clear Reviews called it "compelling."[19]

Personal life and death

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Young struggled with alcohol which often affected his live performances and behavior during his tenure with Pavement.[20]

Young died at home in Stockton on August 17, 2023, at age 70.[21][12]

Discography

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See also: Pavement discography

With Pavement

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Studio albums

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EPs

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With Gary Young's Hospital

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Solo albums

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  • Malfunction (2016)[12]

References

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  • Jovanovic, Rob (2004). Perfect Sound Forever: The Story of Pavement. Boston: Justin, Charles & Co. ISBN 1-932112-07-3.
  1. ^ Pedersen, Erik (August 18, 2023). "Gary Young Dies: Pavement's Original Drummer Was 70". Deadline. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Atkinson, Katie (August 18, 2023). "Gary Young, Original Pavement Drummer, Dies at 70". Billboard. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  3. ^ Robinson, Kimi. "Gary Young, original drummer for indie rock band Pavement, dead at 70: 'A rare breed'". USA TODAY. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  4. ^ Vaziri, Aidin (August 18, 2023). "Gary Young, drummer who put Pavement 'on the map,' dies at 70". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  5. ^ Gruhn, George (December 2015). "1978 Steinberger Prototype Bass". Vintage Guitar.
  6. ^ "The AUTHORITIES – Get Hip Recordings!".
  7. ^ Jovanovic 2004, p. 63.
  8. ^ Jovanovic 2004, p. 66.
  9. ^ a b c Jovanovic 2004, p. 78.
  10. ^ a b Milner, Greg (June 9, 2009). Perfecting Sound Forever: An Aural History of Recorded Music. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 9781429957151 – via Google Books.
  11. ^ a b c Rishwain, Mikey B. (August 19, 2015). "Straight Outta Stockton:Life Lessons from Pavement's Gary Young". Vice.com. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Madarang, Charisma (August 18, 2023). "Gary Young, Pavement's Original Drummer, Dead at 70". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  13. ^ Singh, Surej (August 18, 2023). "Original Pavement drummer Gary Young has died, aged 70". NME. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  14. ^ "The 15 Best 'Beavis & Butt-Head' Music Video Moments: Staff Picks". Billboard. August 3, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  15. ^ Sauro, Tony (April 21, 2016). "Sauro: 'Malfunction' brings former Pavement drummer back to the studio". The Record. Stockton, CA. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  16. ^ Stylus Staff (July 30, 2007). "Stylus Magazine's 50 Greatest Rock Drummers". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original (by the Wayback Machine) on February 16, 2022. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  17. ^ "Louder Than You Think". SXSW 2023 Schedule. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  18. ^ French, Alan (March 17, 2023). "SXSW 2023: 'Louder Than You Think' – The Unlikely Story of a Drummer and Pavement, winning the "Audience Award"". Sunshine State Cineplex. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  19. ^ Seghedoni, Serena (March 14, 2023). "Louder Than You Think: SXSW Review". Loud And Clear Reviews. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  20. ^ "Gary Young: Pavement's Drummer & Engineer". tapeop.com. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  21. ^ Pearis, Bill (August 17, 2023). "Gary Young, Pavement's original drummer, has died". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
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