Drummer Kenny Malone, a prolific session player who played on songs for Dolly Parton and Waylon Jennings, passed away due to Covid at the age of 83. The American drummer and percussionist from Denver, Colorado was known for inventing his own style of hand drumming. Since the 1970s, Malone was a prominent session musician in folk, country, and many other acoustic-based genres. His friend and former bandmate Dave Pomeroy said he died Thursday after being diagnosed with COVID-19, according to Billboard.com. Ned Beatty Dies At 83; Hollywood Actor Was Known For His Roles In Superman, Nashville, Toy Story 3 Among Others.

Malone is credited on hundreds of records made in Nashville, including albums like Parton's Jolene and Jennings Dreaming My Dreams. Among the other artists Malone played with were Dobie Gray, Ronnie Milsap, and Crystal Gayle.

"He expanded the vocabulary of Nashville drumming, and was always an innovator who invented his own unique style of hand drumming, often combining sticks and brushes with hand percussion to create a unique sound and feel that left lots of space for other instruments and the vocals," Pomeroy said in a statement. Irrfan Khan Dies Aged 53: Mark Ruffalo to Tom Hanks - When Hollywood Celebs Were All Praises For His Brilliant Work. 

Malone enlisted in the Navy and served for 14 years, playing as a musician in the U.S. Navy Band. He came to Nashville in 1970 and started working with famed Nashville producer Cowboy Jack Clement and soon became one of the most utilised drummers and percussionists in town.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum said he worked on records by Bobby Bare, Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris, George Jones, Barbara Mandrell, Charley Pride, Kenny Rogers, Dottie West, and Don Williams, according to Billboard.com.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 29, 2021 02:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).