RIP, David Crosby, & Long Live Rock & Roll!

I was saddened to read this morning that David Crosby of Crosby, Stills, & Nash, and The Byrds passed yesterday. He was 81, but it seems as though your heroes will live forever.

I (somewhat, lol) joke and say that God knew I would be too powerful if I could do math and dance. I say that because I have no rhythm or musical talent, but I love music. As far back as I can remember, my dad exposed us to the oldies. I firmly believe that the best music was made in the 1960s, although I like rock & pop music from the 50s-90s, and a lot of country music, mostly classic, 90s, and Red Dirt. My dad, though, is having no part of country music.

He had more 8-tracks than one can imagine, and many cassette tapes, too. I wore out his oldies cassettes when I was a kid. The first that comes to mind, of course, is The Beatles. Daddy is a huge Beatles fan, and we have seen their tribute band, The Fab Four, perform many times. Some of the bands I remember especially enjoying as a child are The Beach Boys, The Four Seasons, CCR, BTO, Grand Funk, and many more of “The ___(insert random noun)___ bands from the 60s. He taught us the importance of that music, its importance in history, the talent of the musicians, the members of the bands, etc. I wouldn’t trade that for anything. I remember watching Tour of Duty and hearing The Rolling Stones sing Paint it Black in the theme song. He taught us about the 60s music during Vietnam and Woodstock. I am thankful for that knowledge and appreciation. I was able to use my position as a history teacher to pass that on to my students. When I read that David Crosby died, I thought back to the first time I remembering hearing him. My parents took us to “the mountains” in Gatlinburg, TN. It was the summer after my 3rd or 4th grade year. We were driving down the mountain and Southern Cross was on. I remember Daddy telling us about it being a constellation, pointing out the beautiful harmonies, and about the members of the band. We also listened to Wasted on the Way. Southern Cross and Suite Judy Blue Eyes are my favorites of theirs. I also love that many of my favorites were at Woodstock.

On that same trip to the mountains, my brother, Jared, was a little guy. He was 3.5 years younger than I was. We were at a venue watching a motorcycle do tricks in this big ball thing (my 3rd grade memory, right?). The venue was playing oldies over the loud speaker. Help Me Rhonda by The Beach Boys came on, and Jared sang every word loudly. The people around us were marveling at such a little fella knowing the words to that old song. I think it was Clint Black who sang something along the lines of “It’s funny how a melody can bring back a memory.” Truer words have never been spoken. Just like when my dad said he remembers exactly where he was and how he felt when he first heard CCR do Proud Mary, I remember these songs and certain memories, even more so after Jared’s death. Speaking of The Byrds, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 was the first passage read at Jared’s funeral. That is also the main line in Turn Turn Turn by The Byrds. Sometimes I can listen to it, and sometimes I can’t.

Although so many of those songs and musicians were great, I know it’s the memories and love for my dad and brother that make them so special to me. I will never hear Suspicious Minds, Daddy’s favorite Elvis song, and not think of him. I will never hear Help Me Rhonda and not think of Jared. I wish I could tell David Crosby, John Lennon, George Harrison, Elvis, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Chuck Berry, Ronnie Van Zant, Sam Cooke, Levi Stubbs, and so many others just what their music means to me. I think that’s what it was all about to them, and it’s what it’s all about to me, too. RIP David Crosby, but long live rock & roll!