Customer Reviews

Long Time Gone

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4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
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David Crosby had the good sense to enlist help in writing this book--lots of help--and the result is stunning. Instead of a typically self-absorbed druggy memoir, it becomes part oral history, part biography, part raree show--all in all a sweeping portrait of a man and an era. The list of celebrities and hangers-on who contribute their recollections is long, too long to give here. Among the most amusing is David Geffen, the producer, who was, in his own words, "a formidable figure always". Not formidable enough, however, to keep himself from being bullied by Crosby into taking an envelope of weed through airport security and being handcuffed and jailed.

Geffen had already begun to have doubts about his business relations with the singer after Crosby talked him into financing a movie in which "a tribe of nomads arrives at a campsite, spends a night and a day, and moves on, leaving the environment lovingly unblemished". The script was written by Crosby and an equally stoned partner. Geffen perceived at once that the film would be something less than a blockbuster, and pulled the plug on it even as Crosby was scouting locations.

But this sort of thing was quite mild compared to the hilarity of Crosby's hard drug phase, which followed his soft drug phase. Marijuana gave way to cocaine, and cocaine led to the breakdown of the barrier between his nostrils. As a precautionary measure, Crosby switched to freebase cocaine, which is smoked rather than snorted. This effort at health protection was in vain, however, as freebase turned out to be one of the most addictive substances on earth, demanding tribute from its hapless user virtually round the clock. So fierce was his desire to get the stuff into his lungs that he excused himself from a crisis intervention featuring such stars as Jackson Browne, Graham Nash, and Grace Slick, to go to the back room to be alone with his pipe.

And, with a propane torch for the odd procedure which turns ordinary cocaine into "freebase" Crosby slipped many times, leaving his body not "lovingly unblemished", but rather covered with burns and impetigo. By the eighties he was consuming thousands of dollars worth a day of the drug, and his life became a dizzing round of nightclubs, treatment centers, airplane rides (paying no attention to the illumination of the No Smoking sign), and binges with the ever-present torch and pipe in operation even while driving. "'I'm the best no-hands knee-steering driver in the world,' he would reassure startled passengers."

That may have been true, but in 1982 he passed out from coke overload while on his way to a demonstration at a nuclear power plant, and smashed into the center divider of the San Diego Freeway, and was busted by the Man. Here is laid bare the dilemma of the addict/activist: in order to save the people from radiation, he must at the same time endanger the people by driving while comatose. Law enforcement, after a couple more such incidents, decided he was a clear and present danger.

Yet he hung on for another 4 years, struggling to live as a functioning addict, even as his friends abandon him and the long arm of the law reaches ever closer. Obdurate to the point of psychosis, Crosby continues to cling to his guitar and torch and pipe until he has nowhere to turn but the nearest police station to make a clean breast of things. He finally kicks his addiction for good, not in the plush confines of Betty Ford, but in a solitary confinement box in a Texas prison, and emerges about a year later, with a greater knowledge of himself and of mattress fabrication procedures.

If there ever was a story about which the phrase "cautionary tale" is not a cliche, this is it. I'm surprised Geffen hasn't made it into a blockbuster.

I have repeatedly encouraged young readers who desire to "step into" the reality of the 70's to read this book. It should be a prerequisite for anyone seeking a career in drugs, sex, and rock n roll, or anyone who questions what they missed being born later. David Crosby is an incredible talent and an incredible survivor. This book approaches very closely doing that justice.

David Crosby hits rock bottom in this painfully honest autobiography of him and (later on) his wife, and their downward spiral into freebase hell. He sinks so low that you stop caring about him. Still a great read, and a definite warning about the stupidity of drugs.

This book is an amazing document about an amazing performer, born at the right time, in the right place, with the right set of talents needed to succeed (and fail, spectacularly).

If you are interested at all in American culture from the sixties to now, this is essential reading. Basically, David was born in Santa Barbara, grew up in the 50s loving sailing, cars, and women, later to be joined by music. He fell into the folk scenes then emerging in the early 60s, and by dint of personality and talent, worked his way into the Byrds, then CSN, then a sybaritic lifestyle that broke the mold.

Holy cow -- this is a highly entertaining, engrossing story of the American Dream gone good, gone bad, then gone good again. You will not put it down.

Hooray for the survivors, the dreamers, the lovers, the music-makers.

If you like CSNY or even part of them, you will love this book. As a longtime fan of music and talents, there are no doubts that David Crosby is talented. If the life of rock stars are ...rocky to say the least, boy, welcome to hell !!
Again an honest biography by a true star. Honesty beyond time as David Foster recall in his book .. It is also an insight of the life of a junkie.. David .. I am just glad you got out of it ..Keep on rocking in the free world as Jimmy Buffet would say !

This book is a good read. I could not put it down after the first page! Anyone who lived and loved in the 70's will be thrilled.

I loved David's work with the Byrds - that is until his drug use made it almost impossible to perform in public. I was pleasantly surprised when CSN hit it big since his drug use and weapons problems were well known. But the guy sings like an angel and writes some great songs - really a key player in the LA music scene of the late 60's and 70's. Would there have been the hits Mr. Tambourine Man or Turn Turn Turn without his great harmony?

I remember reading in Rolling Stone that David survived his addictions and was drug-free. What a shock! He was number one on my list of rock stars to overdose next.

David's "autobiography" (written with the help of Carl Gottlieb and lots of contributions of friends, musicians, and music industry folks) is an EXTREMELY honest look at David Crosby. Not much of it is pretty, and, give David credit - it took an amazing amount of courage to publish this book. This is David's story of his addiction and his selfishness, and how he made it up from rock bottom.

I found his story fascinating, and plan to read his follow-up book, "Since Then." Stay well, David!

I got my copy of this book, autographed by David Crosby, at a CSN concert in 1992. I read it immediately and have re-read it several times since; the hardcover book is now falling apart.

It is compelling from beginning to end, in no small part because of the collaboration between Crosby, his coauthor Carl Gottlieb, and the co-participants in the amazing musical journey on which David Crosby and his many cohorts embarked. It doesn't hide from or glamorize Crosby's descent into freebase cocaine hell and escape from it - against all odds.

But for those of us who grew up with CSN(Y) and the various combinations as an integral part of our own musical history, this is a must read. And re-read. I wish it were on Kindle.

Someone you can love and hate. The only down side is that I came away not liking David Crosby...a lot! This kinda cuddly, Santa Claus, teddy bear lookimg guy is anything but. He used and abused everyone who loved him. Full of himself, he's sure he will be forgiven for the horrible things he does because of how talented he is.

The book is full of amazing stories about the paople and times. I truly enjoyed reading this and recommend it to friends often.

I did things a little backward and read Crosby's second book first, and when I read Long Time Gone it ended up being an irresistible forensic study of Crosby's life. It was a fabulous read. It made you wonder how any person could do that to himself and live to right about it. Make sure you buy both of Crosby's books. If you are a child of the 60's or 70's, it will transport you back to Woodstock and all of those confused feelings of your youth.