Eulogy For A Troubadour

Loss and Tribute, Madness and Atonement

David Crosby and Neil Young - 1969

A hero of my youth and a gifted singer-songwriter, David Crosby, has departed from this troubled world. A rebel throughout his life, David dwelled on the precarious edge between nobility and self-destruction; sometimes he was unbalanced, then somehow he regained equanimity.

David attempted to remain on the path of righteousness, though recently losing his way by blindly condemning pandemic “misinformation.” Social-psychological explanations aside, I am at a loss in understanding this self-contradiction. A sensitive and intelligent person who spent his entire life thinking outside of the box — and encouraging others to do so — had succumbed to the propaganda.

Although there are explanations, I find it bewildering that someone who had written songs that encouraged a generation to question authority, could possibly embrace destructive mainstream fiction.

Yet his words from Long Time Gone , written in 1968 after the assasination of Bobby Kennedy, are unambiguous: “Speak out against the madness, you’ve got to speak your mind, if you dare.”

David was immersed in an era that inspired words and music of the highest order; at a time when the dogmatic limitations and political abuses of the most powerful were challenged by youthful idealism.

Those days faded as the very same military, industrial, corporate, agro, pharma complex responsible for senseless wars against purported enemies — most recently a virus — have retained their stranglehold on reality.

Yet an individual’s work and passion survives death and can continue to have impact. Inspiration from artists and leaders of the past is often the foundation of change.

It is easier to forgive the flaws of someone who has died than tolerate those who continue to dwell in ignorance and denial. What will it take for the living who have lost their way, swept away by the tide of fear and lies, to recognize they have been entranced?

David’s estranged friend and musical companion, Neil Young, had also spoken on behalf of the madness, clearly acting impulsively and without knowledge or contemplation. After Joe Rogan’s interview with Robert Malone, Neil felt obligated to remove his music from Spotify in protest. Incredibly, this is the same musical artist who wrote Ohio, perhaps the greatest anti-establishment anthem in the history of rock music.

(Neil, do you recognize that your recent act of protest supported the very same forces you once denounced? Have you even read Robert Malone’s informed and thoughtful words? Perhaps start with the recording of The Vaccine and the Damage Done, posted here — a tribute to who you once were — and a musical confession you will eventually make about your ridiculous blunder.)

Unlike Neil, David was capable of apologizing for the things he said impulsively without thinking, or as he described it, his stupidity. I believe that if David had lived longer, he would have been one of the first to admit he was wrong to trust the collapsing mainstream narrative — and ask forgiveness from those he hurt or offended.

And because I imagine this, I’m not upset at David; though it’s also because his melodic singing remains inspirational. Throughout his music, he magnificently captures raw emotion, powerful conflict, and love of life.

David Crosby’s free spirit will always reverberate through his voice, reminiscent of the poet Tagore’s words…

God respects me when I work, but loves me when I sing.

I dream of a huge choir of awakened voices who in David’s words will, speak up against the madness. If there are enough in unison, perhaps it won’t be such a long time coming — before the dawn.

(Hey Neil, are you listening? It’s never too late for atonement!)

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In the following recording of Ohio with images of anti-war protests and the National Guard shootings at Kent State University, the intensity of the times is palpable. David’s emotional and impromptu, “How many more? What! Why?” — as the song ends — is as relevant today as it was in 1970.