Wooden Ships free and easy: David Crosby passes at 81

 Not even a week after the passing of Jeff Beck, music lost another true innovator. David Crosby passed away on January 18th, 2023 due to ongoing illness. Crosby was born on August 14th, 1941 in Los Angeles, California. His mother was a salesperson at Macy's and his father Floyd Crosby was an award-winning Hollywood cinema star. He had a younger brother named Ethan Crosby. David Crosby was one of the founders of The Byrds which was formed in 1964 when Crosby, Jim McGuinn, who would later change his stage name to Roger, and Gene Clark who would write some of their most well-known songs. When they acquired Michael Clarke and Chris Hillman soon after, the band was ready to go. In 1965, they gained international fame with their cover of Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tamborine Man'. In contrast to Dylan's folk, The Byrds version incorporated the now iconic 12-string guitar intro played by McGuinn, and thanks to Crosby, the harmonies were Bealtesesque. That said, the band was once dubbed "The American Beatles". The Byrds would go on to have a string of hits including "I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better", "So You Wanna Be A Rock N Roll Star" "Mr. Spaceman", and "Eight Miles High'. Crosby left the Byrds in 1967 and the following year formed CSN with Stephen Stills formerly of Buffalo Springfield and Graham Nash of The Hollies. Crosby Stills and Nash and later Crosby Stills Nash and Young (Neil Young) would become and are one of rocks greatest supergroups. Political anthems like "Wooden Ships" and "Ohio", along with "Teach Your Children", "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" and Crosby's penned and beloved song "Almost Cut My Hair" all became signature songs. In 1982, the band released "Southern Cross" which got them airplay on MTV which was huge for the time as the new wave rock era was just ushering in. Crosby never stopped creating. 'For Free" was released in 2021 and with cover art provided by fellow 60s counterculture icon Joan Baez. David Crosby was and is an American treasure. He spoke his mind and left a lifetime of creative genius for us to enjoy for the end of time. 

'Music is Love"-David Crosby 

Fly high Croz. 

Heart Full of Soul: Guitar legend and pioneer Jeff Beck dies at 78

 Another guitar god has gone to fly high among us. On January 11th, the rock community lost the virtuoso Jeff Beck. The influence Jeff Beck has had on countless guitarist cannot be overstated. Jeff Beck was born on June 24th, 1944 in Wallington, England. The first guitarist to have impressed him was none other than Les Paul himself whose name is synonymous with the legendary Gibson Les Paul model. The song was "How High the Moon' and soon after he was hooked. Other influences include Lonnie Mack, B.B King, and Steve Cropper who played on countless timeless recordings done for Stax records. After playing on many recordings as a session musician, Beck was recruited by friend and future Led Zeppelin founder Jimmy Page to replace  Eric Clapton who would later go on to play with John Mayhall and Cream. With his short but impactful time with The Yardbirds, Beck helped the band reach commercial success. Some of his best works with the band include a cover of the Bo Diddley classic "I'm a Man' and "Heart Full Of Soul" which would become The Yardbirds biggest hit. After leaving The Yardbirds, Jeff Beck would form the legendary Jeff Beck Group with Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, and Mickey Waller. The band would record the album Truth  which was released to critical acclaim in 1968. The cover of Willie Dixon's "I Ain't Superstitious", the slow rocker penned "Blues De Luxe", and the epic instrumental "Greensleeves" have become guitar standards for any inspiring musician. After the split of the Jeff Beck Group, Jeff Beck would embark on a solo career.Some fans were skeptical due to not having a vocalist. Jeff Beck always ventured into new genres and completely new styles of playing and that's exactly what you hear on the acclaimed 1975 masterpiece Blow By Blow. Right up until the very end, Jeff Beck never clocked out. As of 2022, he released 18 with Johnny Depp which gained underground news and had a devoted following. Jeff Beck will forever will be a true innovator, creator, and artist. He will be forever missed. Fly high. 

Starman: David Bowie- 7 years gone but forever present

7 years ago, on January 10th, 2016 the world lost not only a musical genius but also a national treasure. David Bowie passed away at the age of 69 from liver cancer. The world was thrown into a tailspin. Not even the press could figure out why in the moment. In the last years of Bowie's life, the Thin White Duke kept a private life in New York City. He would release his final album Blackstar on January 8th, just two days before his passing. Right up until the end, David Bowie never stopped creating. From the get-go, Bowie always wanted to push the envelope. No matter what persona fits your preference whether it be the theatrical and poetic craft of Hunky Dory, the glam rock enigma of the legendary  The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, the magic carpet ride that is Aladdin Sane, or the Thin White Duke Berlin era, Bowie was able to blend multiple genres seamlessly. Not only was David Bowie a musical genius, he was also a voice for the voiceless; the outcasts, the dreamers, and people who dared to be different in their lives. He proved that it was okay to be different and to ignore those who think of you otherwise. After  Bowie's passing, I really dived deep into his catalog. I'm glad I took that journey. As mentioned earlier, Bowie had many musical eras. For me, Hunky Dory up until Aladdin Sane is my favorite period. I've been loving the heroes era as of late and really love the experimentation he created but the Hunky Dory-Sane era is what I gravitate toward the most. David Bowie was in pure form and at his full peak during this period in my honest opinion. When you start side one of Hunky Dory you have the coming-of-age anthem "Changes". Then an underrated gem 'Oh! Pretty Things!" is next. The song looks into the outdatedness of the human race with a truce between the arrival of aliens... Far out. Life On Mars? is the standout for its iconic piano and orchestral arrangement. Plus, Rick Wakeman, who would later go on to join progressive rock legends Yes provided piano accompaniment. My favorite track on the album is "Queen Bitch". It's no secret that David Bowie and Lou Reed had a tight friendship. The following year in 1972, Bowie would help Reed produce his second solo album Transformer which would be lauded by critics. "Queen Bitch" oozes Velvet Underground swagger with a lyrical love letter to NYC and a killer Sterling Morrison-inspired guitar riff.  I also love The Rise and Fall of  Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars equally. As far as rhythm sections go, Bowie's Stardust era was the best ever. It's a crime that Mick Ronson doesn't get the recognition he deserves. His guitar work on "Suffragette City', his iconic solo on "Moonage Daydream" and the glam rock swagger rhythm of "Ziggy Stardust" is the stuff of legend. Trevor Bolder (bass) and Woody Woodmansey provide excellent bass and drum work as well. When I visited the Rock in Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, I was able to pick up a fresh copy of Aladdin Sane on vinyl. The album is packed with gems including "Watch That Man', "Panic in Detroit' and "Cracked Actor" which I hold dear to me. Of course, I can't mention Aladdin Sane without acknowledging 'The Jean Jeanie". It's the perfect blend of glam rock and blues. That's all I can say about that song because it's just so perfect. It's hard to believe David Bowie has been gone for 7 years. However, his music, style, and bold way of dealing with cynical people will continue to live on for as long as music will be celebrated and record stores run out of his catalog. 

"We can be heroes, just for one day"

Peace and Love