In Memoriam: Rick Rosas

Rick Rosas

Another great bassist has left us. Rick Rosas, who served as longtime bassist for Neil Young, has passed away at the age of 65. The cause of death has not been released.

Affectionately known as “Rick the Bass Player,” Rosas got his musical start in an instrumental surf band called Mark & The Escorts in the early 1960’s. The core of that group would go on to record with A&M Records as part of a new group called Tango, but it was his meeting with Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh that solidified his career. Rosas first appeared on Walsh’s 1985 release The Confessor and contributed to six more albums up through 2012’s Analog Man.

He was playing with Walsh at Farm Aid in 1987 when he first crossed paths with Neil Young, which blossomed into a long-standing musical relationship. Young recruited Rosas for his band the Bluenotes, which put out This Note’s for You in 1988, and retained him after the group broke up. He would appear on the EP Eldorado and 1989’s Freedom before returning to work with Walsh. Young brought Rosas back into the fold in 2005 and kept him around thereon. In 2014, he filled in on tour for Crazy Horse bassist Billy Talbot, who suffered a stroke.

Though he’s best known for working with Walsh and Young, Rosas was a mainstay of the L.A. music scene and worked with Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Rivers, Ron Wood, Etta James, Buffalo Springfield, and more. He performed as a member of the Waddy Wachtel Band since 2000.

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Rick Rosas.

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  1. Russ Webster

    Rick was my biggest influence. This is a terribly sad day for the bass world.

  2. jennifer frederick

    RIP Rick,thxz for the music

  3. Sandy

    Rick Rosas will be missed. He was a solid talent.

  4. Rockin’ in the Free World. Neil Young & The Crazy Horse= Frank “Poncho” Sampedro (guitar), Rick Rosas (bass) and Ralph Molina (drums). Thanks Rick. RIP. http://youtu.be/4EvVPPuvTFU

  5. eilee

    Rip you will be missed

  6. Grande Rick Rosas. Pasó a mejor vida. Nos vemos dimensiones superiores.

  7. Adrian Watson

    So glad I saw him live with Neil Young only a few months ago. Very cool guy- as are all bass players. RIP

  8. Realmente um brilhante baixista fico triste , vi tocando em 2008 no Rock in Rio com o Neil fique em paz

  9. I always respected him. He was a great bass influance on me. Sad news. Condolences to his family.

  10. Dan short

    RIP Rick I enjoyed your bass playing.

  11. RBW

    Rick also was very entering while doing radio with Joe will miss him

  12. Don’t cry because it’s over, Smile because it happen

  13. RIP RICK….and all great musicians, such as….

    INSTANT KARMA didn’t kill John – the BLUE MEANIES at the CIA did > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qup9bqf2Ik

  14. Betsy Lynn Paisley

    So sorry for the loss of a great artist. The loss for his family and friends must be even harder. Please hold his memories close to your heart so he may go on playing forever.

  15. Matt Kohl

    We in the bass world all moved up a notch with the passing of Rick Rosas
    God Bless You

  16. Kim

    Peace be with you. Our lives have been much better by hearing your music!

  17. Daniel Storm

    If he was with Buffalo Springfield, then that is when he first crossed paths with Niel Young. But yes, we lost another great one. :(

    • james

      He played with BS at Bonnaroo a couple years ago at their reunion. He wasn’t in the original band.

      RIP Rick.

    • PAUL WILLIAMSON

      DANIEL YOU ARE WRONG! IT WAS LONG BEFORE THAT !!!!!
      THE BLUE NOTES 1988!!!!!!!!!

  18. mags

    Will be sadly missed .Rock on in heaven Rick.x

  19. Cynthia Larsen

    I was never more amazed at a mans quiet presence on stage and beautiful smile. He made me smile. To close my eyes and remember the smiles he has left behind; will no doubt last throughout the decades of time for so many that felt the warmth and vibrations of this incredibly talented man. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone who’s life he has touched.
    Prayers and Peace always

  20. Kelly Kott

    I am sorry for the loss, Neil Young lost a good friend. I hope the good memories of Rick help his loved ones get through this hard time.

  21. One of the best. His bass will live on.

  22. RICK ROSAS ONE OF THE NICEST PEOPLE I EVER MET!!!! IN JULY WE SAW EACHOTHER IN GERMANY [MAINZ] .THE SHOW WAS GREAT!!!!!! HE HAD A GREAT PERSONALITY AND WE MISS HIM ALLREADY. THANKS RICK FOR THE GOOD TIMES WE HAD,,,,,,,,,ROCK ON IN HEAVEN WITH BEN KEITH AND OTHERS …………LOVE YOU BIG FRANKY AND ALL YOUR FRIENDS IN AMSTERDAM,,,,,,,,,,R.I.P.

  23. PAUL WILLIAMSON

    WOG’

    RICK; REST IN PEACE! KEEP ON ROCKIN” IN HEAVEN!!!

    I WILL MISS YOUR LATE NIGHT CALLS!!!!

    LUV YOU MAN YOUR BROTHER WOG..

  24. Got to meet him and talk with him earlier this year. He was a humble, non-pretentious, very easy going guy, and I’m very sorry he’s gone. What a true bummer. See you on the other side, Rick… The Bass Player.

  25. Lillian Sandoval

    Rick Rosas went by the name of Richard Rosas When he married my sister Christine his first wife, Chris was killed by auto accident while Married, to Rick. He took it very hard. he now has company and is not alone. rest in peace Richard your ex sister in Law Rev. Lillian Sandoval