"So, now I want to tell you a little about the musicians who helped David create his first solo album, ‘If I could only remember my name’. They included many ‘A-listers’ from the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna, plus Joni Mitchell, C,S,N &Y and many more. In turn, many of them later turned up in the Planet Earth Rock ‘n’ Roll Orchestra – PERRO (but, hey that’s another story).
But not everyone is aware that in 2021, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the release of David’s solo album, a rather wonderful double CD version of the album was produced by Rhino with Atlantic. The original album has been re-mastered from analogue tapes."
we were both at the CSNY, Band and Joni Mitchel gig at Wembley Stadium 1974 (like someone else we know?)
In bleak times, the world needs heroes such as David Crosby.
I wasn’t going to share this but it is a good read and made me smile actually and despite his supposed ‘hatred’ of some bands, his comments about The Doors strikes me as solely about jealousy but maybe I would say that as a confirmed fan! His opinion about Manzarek is so far off mark it is merely ludicrous! The magnificence and ground breaking drummer in John Densmore fitting jazz licks into rock and the way they all fit together is a testament to a fine fine rock band with a poet of genuine creativity (ask Michael McClure!) as its figurehead. That Jim was a ‘juicer’ who could be an asshole is a given! But we understand the idiot savant that alcohol reveals. The same can be said of those chain smoking weed!
He did cop to his disgusting comments about Darryl Hannah and I guess the dope smoking make you as about opinionated as it possibly to get but he was undoubtedly a curmudgeon of stellar proportions and check him out on his release from prison to see how cool he was! That he posted one of the finest voices in rock music is a given and he didn’t have to work at it. Natural gifts make for arrogant egotists!
"Despite his many flaws, you’d be hard-pressed to find any culturally significant figure who doesn’t have serious pitfalls; this internal dichotomy produces both triumph and the obstacles that make their victories resound even more.
A folk-rock pioneer famed for his work in The Byrds, CSN, and CSNY, there can be no doubt regarding Crosby’s talent as a songwriter, guitarist and vocalist. From the early moments of The Byrds to their psychedelic classic Fifth Dimension and on to the defining opus of the countercultural era, CSNY’s Déjà Vu, he resoundingly showed his genius on many occasions. Furthermore, his unwavering creativity would later be heard with the jazz-rock outfit CPR and his solo work.
Yet, Crosby’s character afforded his many consequential musical efforts a different dimension. A divisive figure unafraid to make his opinions known, he would be fired from The Byrds for voicing those thoughts and later have strained relationships with his CSNY bandmates, particularly Neil Young. Crosby burned that particular bridge after Crosby felt compelled to offensively criticise the Canadian’s wife, actor Daryl Hannah.
Giving a taste of Crosby’s fire and his comical way with words, after things had reached boiling point with Young in 2021, he maintained: “Neil has got a genuine beef. I did say something bad about his girlfriend [Daryl Hannah]. I said I thought she was a predator. OK, he can be mad at me. That’s all right.”
If it wasn’t already clear, the late Californian was unafraid of making his opinions known. From interviews to Twitter – the latter encompassing taking down musical peers and judging fans’ joint rolling skills – he was a real one until the end. Even those he irked will certainly miss his impish character to some degree. Prone to providing challenging insight and pure comedy, bleak times such as the present are made that bit worse without figures as complex and perenially fascinating as he was.
Jim Morrison and The Doors had their fair share of detractors, many of whom were also key driving forces of the countercultural sound, including Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and Grace Slick. Crosby was also a part of that set.
When asked to discuss The Doors on Twitter in 2019, the moustachioed weed-smoker was bold in his argument and added to his original assertion in a 1998 interview that frontman Morrison was “obnoxious” and that “I didn’t like him.” This time, though, the Croz attacked the entire group. He said they “Basically sucked …guitar and drums pretty ok …keyboard was awful ..his bass with left hand was abysmal, horrible …square wheel bad.”
After two decades, The Doors frontman was due another volley. “Morrison was no effing good as a singer or poet,” Crosby said, believing him nothing but a “poser.”
In 1998, his band CPR released ‘Morrison’, the track based on The Door’s vocalist, who died aged 27 in 1971. It paints a sympathetic image of the ‘Lizard King’ and only adds to the complexity of Crosby’s character. “He was lost and I don’t think / He wanted it that way,” Crosby sings, indicating compassion for the musician he deemed “mad and lonely”.
Of course, Crosby’s points about The Doors in 2019 attracted fury from their fans. In his classic style, when he was told he was wrong in his claims, he doubled down: “I’m not wrong …they sucked all the time.”
Another band with legions of critics are The Rolling Stones, one of the most successful outfits of all time and a vital part of the story of the 1960s. While Crosby’s views on Mick Jagger and Keith Richards’ group somewhat softened as time wore on, back in the day, the American absolutely hated the Dartford outfit.
A proponent of peace and love right until the very end – despite his numerous critiques of others – it seems that the Laurel Canyon dweller was at spiritual odds with the British rabble of hellraisers and inferred that they were partially at fault for the dream dying. It was the horrific tragedy of 1969’s Altamont Free Concert, where The Rolling Stones hired the Hells Angels as security, leading to fatalities, that was Crosby’s primary source of contempt. Furthermore, the doomed festival is the moment many have pinpointed as the start of the hippie dream fading to black.
Crosby asserted: “I think the major mistake was taking what was essentially a party and turning it into an ego game and a star trip of The Rolling Stones, who… qualify in my book as snobs. I think they’re on a grotesque, negative ego trip, essentially, especially the two leaders.”
He would later comment that while there was range to The Rolling Stones’ music, The Beatles were much better, including at vocal harmonies, which Jagger, Richards and the band couldn’t do “for squat”.
As a lifelong hippie, it makes much sense that David Crosby hated the entire punk genre despite its profoundly countercultural essence and the old saying that hippies are, in fact, punks. Alas, no amount of images showing Johnny Rotten, Joe Strummer and other notable genre names with long hair would change his mind.
Asked for his thoughts on the genre on Twitter in 2017, he simply said “no”. Then, when another fan listed an array of truly great punk acts, including The Clash, The Stooges, Buzzcocks, Ramones and Descendants, Crosby wasn’t having it. He disregarded punk as “Pretty much all dumb stuff,” with “no musical value at all and mostly childish lyrics.”
Following this, one bold user attempted to outline how the childish lyrics were the point of The Ramones, but Crosby chose to stay on his hill. “Yes, but dumb”, he corresponded. Elsewhere, even the lyrical power of the “punk poet laureate” Patti Smith wasn’t enough for Crosby to change his mind. “Not my thing”, he said after being asked for his opinion on her.
Mike Love has been a controversial figure for a long time. Recently, he took The Beach Boys’ name on the road, much to the chagrin of their mastermind, true leader, his cousin and nemesis, Brian Wilson. Notably, in 2020, he was criticised for dragging the group’s reputation through the dirt when he played a fundraiser for Donald Trump’s re-election campaign.
As Crosby was a left-wing legend, in 2020, he was asked about Love using the band’s name without original members Wilson and Al Jardine. He replied: “Those aren’t the Beach Boys, and I doubt they voted. Mike Love is, in the opinion of almost every musician I know, a shithead, most assuredly has no talent at all, and, as you can probably tell… I just don’t like him”.
Kanye West is another detestable figure, recently seeing his cultural value plummet due to his anti-semitism and seemingly sympathetic view towards Hitler, in which he told rightwing pundit Alex Jones, “I see good things about Hitler.” He also wore the “White Lives Matter” t-shirt in Paris.
While West’s politics and personality are the source of much rightful anger, Crosby was already a naysayer, taking issues with his lack of ability years before public opinion swayed.
“Music ?.. He’s an idiot and a poser….has no talent at all,” Crosby said on Twitter in 2015. The following year, he remained unmoved, asserting on Andy Cohen’s chat show Watch What Happens Live: “He can neither sing, nor write, nor play.”
Delivering his knock-out blow, Crosby added: “Somebody needs to drive him over to Stevie Wonder’s house right now so he understands what a real one is. Secondly, they should send him all of Ray Charles’s catalogue so he can learn how to sing.”
Can’t disagree with his comments on West here, nor pro-Trump Mike Love come to that . . . it’s a view!
✍️ Arun Starkey
Upon his release . . .
David Crosby ‘Long Time Gone’ Lowell Summer Music Series 6-14-18 Boarding House
Park
Arrested on drugs and weapons charges . . . . . Crosby look wrecked and no hippie this!
The Doors with the final word . . . . Riders on The Storm
"I saw David Crosby live 8 times - 6 with CSN, once with CSNY and most recently, a solo show in 2015 at the Morristown PAC. Crosby is just one of 2 artists (Bruce Springsteen is the other), that I have seen live in at least 5 different decades (1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s).
This soundboard recording captures Crosby in Santa Ana on November 13, 1986, 37 years ago today. We sadly lost David earlier this year - may he rest in peace.”
I guess there is something almost painfully poignant about there being a late set from The Cros just stood and playing on his own towards the end of his life . . . . . . . this is a nice set and though like all those of us of a certain age now the voice is clearly shot and that time catches up with all of us. This is worth a listen though and no mistake . . . . . one last flutter of some old curmudgeon’s freak fly flapping
"I saw David Crosby live 8 times - 6 with CSN, once with CSNY and most recently, a solo show in 2015 at the Morristown PAC. Crosby is just one of 2 artists (Bruce Springsteen is the other), that I have seen live in at least 5 different decades (1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s).
This webcast recording captures Crosby in Virginia on June 17, 2015, 6 years ago today and exactly 2 days before I saw him solo in Morristown. We lost David earlier this year - may he rest in peace."
I saw him once at Wembley back in 74’ (sic) and the CSNY band were great but Joni and others took my attention and frankly The Band blew everyone else out the park!
well it had to come . . . . . I was expecting this but Kostas has penned and compiled a nice biography of David Crosby looking at If Only I Could Remember My Name and the joint album with Graham Nash of 1972
I guess it doesn’t bode well to speak ill of the dead but the programme/film Remember My Name is worth a visit if you can find it and re-look at the links below to look at the more difficult side to the toxic relationship he engendered in both the Byrds and CSNY. There was a reason why they ended up not speaking and refusing to ever play with Croz ever again and the cause was largely him! (Cocaine and heroin will do that to your ego but to be fair he had much the same result on The Byrds and Roger McGuinn) . . . . . . a powerful ethereal voice of the sixties I am glad he ended up saying what he needed to with a self awareness and self critical awareness at that which may have affected all those concerned to the better.We can but hope. Graham Nash has already said his magnanimous best at Crosby’s passing . . . . . .
A younger Crosby in a folk club . . . aah but I was so much older then I’m younger than that now
Joni Mitchell with David Crosby at the Reprise Records contract signing of her debut album with Warner Brothers record executive Mo Ostin and manager Elliot Roberts in March 1968.
Laughing - David Crosby
Footnote:David Crosby's debut solo album, "If I Could Only Remember My Name" is a one-shot wonder of dreamy but ominous California ambience. The songs range from brief snapshots of inspiration (the angelic chorale-vocal showcase on "Orleans" and the a cappella closer, "I'd Swear There Was Somebody Here") to the full-blown, rambling western epic "Cowboy Movie," and there are absolutely no false notes struck or missteps taken.
The song “Laughing” was, in Crosby’s words, “Written to and for GEORGE HARRISON about the MAHARISHI, and telling him that nobody’s really got the answer.” Another soothing and hypnotic listen, with some lovely backing vocals by Joni, and heavenly pedal steel by JERRY GARCÍA.
Many prominent musicians of that era appear on the record, including Nash, Young, Joni Mitchell, members of the Grateful Dead (most notably Jerry Garcia, who helped to arrange and produce most of the album), Jefferson Airplane, and Santana. The ensemble was given the informal moniker of The Planet Earth Rock and Roll Orchestra by Jefferson Airplane bandleader, longtime Crosby associate and fellow science fiction fan Paul Kantner; the core of this agglomeration (including recording engineer Stephen Barncard) also worked on Kantner's Blows Against The Empire (1970) and/or the Grateful Dead's American Beauty (1970), both recorded concurrently with Crosby's album at San Francisco's Wally Heider Studios. Graham Nash; Stephen Stills and Neil Young, etc.
As it is, If I Could Only Remember My Name is a shambolic masterpiece, meandering but transcendentally so, full of frayed threads. Not only is it among the finest splinter albums out of the CSNY diaspora, it is one of the defining moments of hungover spirituality from the era.
UPDATE: The wonderful Zero Soundshas posted several ROIOs of David Crosby with Nash and the CSNY boys (6 I think!) so go and check those out
Friday, January 20, 2023
DAVID CROSBY R.I.P. 1941 - 2023
DAVID CROSBY, the singer, songwriter and guitarist who helped shape the sound of Sixties rock and beyond, died today at the age of 81. A source close to Crosby confirmed the musician’s death to Rolling Stone(see below) , but did not disclose a cause.
A difficult iconoclastic figure but with a self knowledge and understanding surpassing his difficulties. His talent outshone his difficulties.
Author composer and singer songwriter in the Hall of Fame twice for both The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.
Author composer and singer of one of my favourite albums of all time in If Only I Could Remember My Name.
We will not see his like again
Let your Freak Flag Fly you ornery old cuss! 💜
David Crosby, the singer, songwriter and guitarist who helped shape the sound of Sixties rock and beyond, died on January 19 at the age of 81. A source close to Crosby confirmed the musician’s death to Rolling Stone, but did not disclose a cause.[It had been reported that he was ill for a while.]
Crosby was a founding member of the Byrds, playing guitar and contributing harmony vocals to many of their most enduring songs, including “Eight Miles High,” “So You Want to Be a Rock ‘n’ Roll Star” and “Turn! Turn! Turn!” Shortly after being forced out of the group due to personality conflicts with frontman Roger McGuinn, he formed the supergroup Crosby, Stills, and Nash with Buffalo Springfield’s Stephen Stills and Graham Nash of the Hollies. The trio – which became a quartet in 1969 when Neil Young joined their ranks – played a major role in the development of folk-rock, country-rock and the emergent “California sound” that dominated rock radio throughout the mid-Seventies. Croz wrote many of their most beloved tunes, including “Almost Cut My Hair,” “Long Time Gone” and “Deja Vu.”
“It is with a deep and profound sadness that I learned that my friend David Crosby has passed,” Crosby’s former bandmate Graham Nash wrote in a statement. “I know people tend to focus on how volatile our relationship has been at times, but what has always mattered to David and me more than anything was the pure joy of the music we created together, the sound we discovered with one another, and the deep friendship we shared over all these many long years.”
“I’m heartbroken to hear about David Crosby,” Brian Wilson wrote. “David was an unbelievable talent – such a great singer and songwriter. And a wonderful person. I just am at a loss for words.”
With David Crosby Track 10. Mr Tambourine Man 6:45 Track 11. You Ain’t Going Nowhere 4:17 Track 12. Turn! Turn! Turn! 2:51 Track 13. Knocking On Heaven’s Door 5:26 Track 14. Bye Bye Baby 3:47 Track 15. So You Want To Be A Rock ‘n’ Roll Star 3:17 Track 16. Eight Miles High 4:25 Track 17. Feel A Whole Lot Better 3:19 67 mins
It's David Van Cortlandt Crosby's birthday today and found this excellent clip from Route publishers. Not sure if anyone is left who is speaking to him but hey Happy 81st Birthday Mr C
So the weekend television is notoriously rubbish here in the UK and found myself drawn to the new (to Freeview) channel of Sky Arts which featured a couple of music programmes I found absorbing if ultimately hugely depressing. The profile on David Crosby 'Remember My Name' by Cameron Crowe I found fascinating but with a heart breaking end in that it finishes with the acrimony from all of CSNY indicating that some fallings out are insurmountable.
There's even a funny encounter with photographer Henry Diltz when they try to recreate the classic flag- gun-joint photo and David teases Diltz for his still new age thinking about what chinese sign animal they both are!
Now I loved David Crosby and number his solo album amongst my favourites of the era and I adored CSN&Y as well as making the distinction of CS&N as seperate and quite distinct bands [as does Crosby himself here]. The frank and revealing story is fascinating for a while and the journey from The Byrds to Woodstock to a Supergroup and at the heart of the 'counterculture' makes for a fabulous story and I don't think I recall the loss of his girlfriend at 21 in a car crash as such a seminal earth shattering as it would have been but the love and support from his colleagues is palpable here. Nash I think more than any saved Crosby's life . . . . .and yet he kinda didn't . . . . . Crosby's descent into heroin and cocaine use had the inevitable end I have witnessed time after time and too often and his spell in prison (8 months in Texas Pen!) seems to have been some kind of strange turning point not fully understood somehow.
Crosby after handing himself in to the authorities
The finality of the reforming of CSN&Y is full of reports and, to his credit here, mostly by Crosby himself of his unforgivable, toxic and temperamental behaviour, has ruined it would seem his deep relationship with both Neil Young and his fellow vocal partner Graham Nash both of whom are on record saying they will not play with DC again. Crosby is magnanimous here and surprisingly honest maybe but that he has overstepped some boundary that is beyond forgiveness is difficult to take.
That Crosby should have taken up with a younger pick-up band and started to release albums again is great but CSN&Y it ain't. Stephen Stills is notable by his absence here in Crowe's documentary and we wonder about this. It is an essentially sad film about superstardom, drug use and addiction, holding friendship too lightly, vanity and ego.
