What comes across most emphatically in this film biopic is the honesty David Crosby reveals in citing his faults while taking responsibility for the failed relationships throughout his life. He admits he was a difficult and sometimes violent person who drove away virtually every contemporary he ever collaborated with, in particular Roger McGuinn of The Byrds, and the musicians who lent their names to what some would arguably consider rock's first super group - Stephen Stills, Graham Nash and Neil Young. Although Crosby considers CSN and CSNY as two separate bands, the first time I've heard it expressed in such manner, and in a way I guess he's right. The documentary traces Crosby's musical career from the first time he heard a Miles Davis jazz tune and pretty much comes full circle to present day minus a couple of years, as at one point he states he's seventy six years old. He marvels quite candidly that he made it this long, what with his history of drug and alcohol abuse contributing to some serious health problems, including several heart operations and diabetes. Throughout the film, it becomes increasingly evident that he placed his music ahead of anything else in his life, including family and friends, with a brief time out when his heroin addiction took over. At times reflective and melancholy, Crosby seems to be only half atoning for the life he's led, realizing that his past experiences have brought him to be the person he is today. Baseball great Mickey Mantle has been quoted as saying "If I knew I was going to live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself." You get the impression while watching and hearing David Crosby in his own words that he might not entirely agree with that statement.
Review of David Crosby: Remember My Name
"I was a difficult cat, and growing leaps and bounds." - David Crosby
7 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers