Rick Rosas, who plays Buster opposite the Oscar winner's rocker character Ricki, lost his battle with cancer in November (14), shortly after filming wrapped on the Jonathan Demme project and there's a special tribute to him in the credits at the end of the movie.

Born in Los Angeles in 1949, Rosas also worked with Demme on 2006's Neil Young: Heart of Gold documentary.

One of California's most in-demand session musicians, he also worked with Joe Walsh, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ron Wood and Etta James.

He was the only bassist to have played in three of Neil Young's bands - Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and Crazy Horse.

The new film has other ties to Neil Young - the rocker taught Streep how to play guitar for the project.