RIP David Crosby

 The first time I really paid attention to David Crosby's voice, sometime in the early 70's, I was surprised by how tender, fragile and yes, angelic it was.  Crosby may have been one of the ultimate hippie counter-culture musicians of his era. Certainly one of the most unforgettable characters in Rock history.    

  His greatest moments are peppered throughout some remarkable records with the Byrds, Crosby, Stills & Nash (sometimes Young).  Not to mention his duo albums with Nash.  Then there's his solo career which got off to an amazing start with 1971's of its time masterwork, If I Could Only Remember My Name.  Some critics hated its managed to grow in praise over the decades. "Music Is Love", "Laughing" and "What Are Their Names" endure.  Oddly enough Crosby wouldn't release another solo album until 1989.  

  With the Byrds, Crosby's harmonies were often a highlight.  And he wrote or co-wrote some of their most interesting pieces like "Lady Friend", "Everybody's Been Burned", "Renaissance Fair" and the masterpiece "Eight Miles High". Leaving the Byrds his hookup with Stills & Nash resulted in even more classics like "Long Time Gone", "Guinnevere",  "Wooden Ships", "Almost Cut My Hair" and "Deja Vu".  And on his duet albums with Nash, "Carry Me".  But as the years rolled on Crosby's drug problems hindered his creativity.  Remarkably, he managed to make some of his best music in the last few years of his life.  Sky Trails and For Free, his last released in his lifetime are very strong, showing that Crosby's voice has maintained its immediacy.  

  Crosby reached a new generation of readers and listeners with his presence on Twitter.  Often playing the part of the great curmudgeon he really was, his opinions bounced off any topic that he or his followers could think of.  For more of that check out his excellent 2019 documentary, Remember My Name.

  A two-time Rock Hall inductee with the Byrds and CSN, plus a Songwriters Hall inductee with S&N, Crosby will always be linked with the 60's and early 70's Classic Rock era.  His best music from that era still ringing out from Laurel Canyon.