Reggie Young
- Type: Influential Sideman
- Born: 1936-12-12 in Caruthersville, Missouri
- Died: 2019-01-17 in Leiper's Fork, Tennessee
Biography
Reggie Young was a principal architect of the Memphis sound, serving as the lead guitarist for the American Sound Studio house band, The Memphis Boys. [1, 7] His restrained and economical guitar work defined hit records across rock, soul, and country, providing the signature licks for songs like Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds" and Dusty Springfield's "Son of a Preacher Man". [3, 8] Relocating to Nashville, he became an equally in-demand session player, contributing to foundational recordings by The Highwaymen and George Strait. [1, 3] Young's influential style, marked by its melodic precision and textural versatility, prioritized the song over technical display, cementing his legacy as a consummate sideman. [3, 8]