I am still not over hearing the news this week that my lifelong friend Rusty Golden has passed. I’ve been friends with Rusty since 1965. I grew up with him and us learning to play music together in all of our formative years. He played drums and I was on bass and piano.
Most of the time we spent in the downstairs of his Mom and Dad’s house, pounding away at our instruments along with the record player spewing out Elton John’s classic record “11-17-70“… those are times that I will never forget.
We played together in our first band in high school. It was called Canon. Rusty was on drums and me on bass. We added a 5-piece horn section and became the Willis Zarley Band.
We played classic Chicago, Blood Sweat and Tears, Ides of March and many more groups’ material. Yes, way back those many years ago we even won the local Sertoma Club Talent Show! That was a big deal back then. The trophy that we won that night was in the Band Room at Hendersonville High School for many years after. For all I know it may still be there.
Our paths slightly diverged as we each went on to play with different groups in our teens. At just 17 years of age, Rusty went on to play with Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers and he eventually became a successful songwriter and artist in his own right. I spent time with The Four Guys and then Brenda Lee, Dottie West and Kenny Rogers, and then on to the Oak Ridge Boys team where I’ve spent 45 years playing those keyboards behind his father… what an honor. Rusty and I were as close to being brothers as two guys could be… my oldest friend… and our paths continued to cross many times over the last 40 to 50 years.
Rusty was never far from me. Losing him is a big deal and I am nowhere near being over it… we shared a lifetime of memories. Rusty…….Rest in Peace…….You deserve it.
We were off line a week because of a move so yesterday (7-6-24) was the first we learned of his passing. Your words are so moving and true. Rusty was loved by so many people and will be greatly missed. Prayers, love, empathy, to all.
Ron, I pray that your mourning will soon transition into millions of beautiful memories.
Godspeed Rusty and fly high!
I can’t think of anyone better then You Ronnie sending Rusty home ❤️
Ronnie that was a beautiful tribute to Rusty. I remember sitting at the pool as you went down memory lane with crossing paths with Darin and Rusty etc… we laughed so much at the stories and I loved the way your eyes lite up when mentioning them. You are always going to be his brother and I can’t think of anyone better sending him home than his family which you are a part of. Safe trip to you and Kim.
Ronnie as I read your piece I remember the stories as you recalled them once before telling us sitting around the pool how your paths kept crossing. What a beautiful tribute to Rusty. He is smiling down on you and he can’t think of anyone more then you to help send him home his brother ❤️ Safe travels to you and Kim.
Beautiful tribute RF
So wish I could be with you all. Prayers 🙏
Beautifully said. I am so sorry for your loss.
Thoughts and prayers to you and all that knew him. Sorry for your loss, Ronnie 🙏🎶😢
Ron, see you there. 💔🌹