Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section Keyboardist Barry Beckett Dies at 66

Producer and Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section keyboardist Barry Beckett died Wednesday at his home in Hendersonville, Tenn., after a series of illnesses. He was 66.

"He was the best boss I ever had and one of the greatest friends I ever had," Beckett's longtime companion and co-worker Dick Cooper told Alabama's Times Daily. "He and Jerry Wexler taught me everything I know about the music industry."

As the Swampers, Beckett, guitarist Jimmy Johnson, bassist David Hood and drummer Roger Hawkins played with many top acts, most notably providing the backbone of the Staples Singers' 'I'll Take You There' and Paul Simon's 'Kodachrome.' On April 1, 1969, the foursome partnered in what became the world famous Muscle Shoals Sound Studios in Sheffield, Ala.

Johnson told the paper that Beckett, a native of Birmingham, "was one of the greatest keyboard players I ever worked with. Definitely, in our field, he was in the top five in the world. He's going to be missed."

As a producer, Beckett collaborated with the late Wexler on Bob Dylan's first platinum album, 'Slow Train Coming' and Dire Straits' sophomore album 'Communique.' His other credits include Hank Williams Jr.'s 'There's a Tear in My Beer' and Phish's 1993 concept album, 'Rift.'

Beckett had reportedly been diagnosed with prostate cancer and later with thyroid cancer. He also suffered several strokes, including one as recent as February. Funeral arrangements are pending.