Gary Young, the original drummer for the renowned US indie-rock band Pavement, has sadly passed away at the age of 70.
The news of his passing was confirmed by Stephen Malkmus, the band’s frontman, on the micro-blogging site X (formerly known as Twitter) on Thursday.
In his post, Malkmus wrote, “Gary Young passed on today,” and he also acknowledged Young’s impressive drumming skills on Pavement’s recordings.
He mentioned, “Gary’s Pavement drums were ‘one take and hit record’… Nailed it so well. RIP.”
The record label Matador Records, which released Pavement’s debut album “Slanted and Enchanted” in 1992, also paid tribute to Gary Young.
The label expressed their appreciation for Young as an exceptional human, drummer, producer, and solo artist.
They sent their love to his family, friends, and fellow bandmates.
Early Years and Musical Journey
Born in New York in 1953, Gary Young was a former hippie who transitioned into drumming for punk bands during the 1980s.
He also worked as a talent booker in the music industry.
Pavement initially began as a duo with guitarist-vocalists Stephen Malkmus and Scott Kannberg.
In 1989, while recording a session at Young’s home studio, Louder Than You Think, Young, who was producing the session, offered to drum for them.
This led to the creation of the group’s debut EP, “Slay Tracks: 1933–1969,” which garnered success.
Musical Contributions and Challenges
Although Jason Fawkes eventually joined Pavement as the drummer, a reported dispute with Malkmus prompted Young to return to produce and drum for the band’s next two EPs, “Demolition Plot J-7” (1990) and “Perfect Sound Forever” (1991).
Young’s on-stage antics became a notable aspect of the band’s live performances, fueled by his struggles with alcohol.
His energetic and unconventional behavior, such as serving food to concertgoers and performing headstands on stage, added a unique element to Pavement’s shows.
Personal Triumphs and Continued Musical Pursuits
In 1998, Young managed to overcome his battles with alcohol and achieved sobriety.
Although he left Pavement in 1992, his final contribution as the band’s drummer was on the EP “Watery, Domestic.”
He later returned to produce two tracks on their 1999 EP “Major Leagues.”
After his time with Pavement, Young remained involved in music, releasing three albums with his own group, “Gary Young’s Hospital,” in 1994, 1999, and 2004.
Additionally, he released a solo record titled “Malfunction” in 2016.
A Touching Reunion and Lasting Legacy
In 2010, Gary Young rejoined his Pavement bandmates for a reunion concert in his hometown of Stockton, much to the delight of their fans.
His life story became the focus of the documentary “Louder Than You Think,” which premiered at the SXSW film festival in Austin, Texas, showcasing his impact on the music world and his enduring influence on indie rock.
The passing of Gary Young marks the end of an era for Pavement and the music community as a whole.
His unique drumming style and stage presence will be remembered as integral elements of the band’s distinctive sound and performances.
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