Stand and Be Counted: A Revealing History of Our Times Through the Eyes of the Artists Who Helped Change Our World [Hardcover]

David Crosby (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2, 2000

From The Civil Rights marches and antiwar moratoriums of the 1960s through Live Aid and right up to the Free Tibet concerts of today, musicians have played an essential role in raising awareness of human rights issues. In Stand and Be Counted, David Crosby tells the powerful story of why artists were willing to put themselves on the line -- often at great risk -- for causes they believe Crosby's own longtime commitment brings a compelling personal perspective to his narrative, as do his revealing interviews with fellow activists such as Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Don Henley, Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, Jackson Browne, Melissa Etheridge, Michael Stipe, Jewel, Aretha Franklin, and Sting.

Crosby's dramatic narrative provides a "you are there" feeling as artists relate emotionally riveting events: Harry Belafonte movingly recalls the night he performed at a Martin Luther King, Jr., rally for nonviolence in the South, and Sean Lennon speaks poignantly of the men of peace who've been assassinated, including his own father, John Lennon.

Stand and Be Counted is an inspiring work that speaks to everyone of the power of acting passionately on your convictions.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Subtitled "the Dramatic Story of the Artists and Causes that Changed America," this music history by Crosby (singer-songwriter of 1960s-1970s legends Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young) and Bender ( a political activist and founding editor of George magazine) present an overview of the musicians who stimulated America's political consciousness. This well-intentioned chronicle meets the authors' self-proclaimed goal of presenting "stories that are meant to give a sense of the wide range of activism in which artists are involved," as well as offering "a glimpse of where that ethic of activism came from, how it's grown over the years, what it's accomplished, and how it's been transmitted down the line." However, unlike Crosby's autobiography Long Time Gone, in which co-author/activist Carl Gottlieb's insightful analyses of aspects of Southern California culture gave weight to Crosby's wild tales of stoned-out times, this book reads like a collection of news clippings on more than 100 major events such as George Harrison's Bangladesh benefit, the No Nukes benefit, Live Aid, "We Are the World" and Comic Relief. (Crosby even admits to maintaining his Woodstock Concert-formed belief that "half a million people yelling Fuck! at the top of their lungs is one hell of a powerful political statement.") Crosby is sincere in his belief that musicians can help "create a climate where [world change] can happen." But this book remains more an easy-reader of protest rock than any sort of hardheaded, insightful look at the way popular music has influenced and been influenced by politics. (Mar..-- can happen." But this book remains more an easy-reader of protest rock than any sort of hardheaded, insightful look at the way popular music has influenced and been influenced by politics. (Mar.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School-Writing in anecdotal style and arranging the stories by topic rather than by chronology, these authors describe popular musical artists' involvement in American culture and history from the 1960s through 1999. Their emphasis is the political activism of performing artists and, just as im-portantly, the political power of their lyrics and songs. The authors showcase musicians' participation in civil rights, the antiwar movement, birth of the benefit, global activism, farm aid, and human rights, and provide both personal narrative and the collective memory of hundreds of performers from Harry Belafonte and Joan Baez to REM and Red Hot Chili Peppers. The case for activism is well made. The chapters include the how and why of involvement at each step along the way, the songs that sparked and fed the fires of protest, and the specific lyrics and quotes that reveal their dreams. A short preface and conclusion help structure this personal review. Behind-the-scenes black-and-white glossy photos of protests and concerts enrich the text. Crosby's recent concert tour and interview will bring teens to this book. They'll also find, however, eye-opening social history wrapped in the performer's credo, "I'm here for the same reason you are. Just to stand up and be counted for what I believe-."-Becky Ferrall, Stonewall Jackson High School, Manassas, VA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne; 1St Edition edition (February 2, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062515748
• ISBN-13: 978-0062515742
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #558,984 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music making a difference in the world, December 4, 2000

By 

Breezy (Gorham, Maine USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stand and Be Counted: A Revealing History of Our Times Through the Eyes of the Artists Who Helped Change Our World (Hardcover)

Stand and Be Counted by David Crosby and David Bender has become my favorite book. It is about how music has influenced and changed the world. Including views from many popular artists from the 1960's and 70's to the present day. It tells about how musical activists effected major events in history, such as the civil rights movement, and the antiwar movement, and the efforts that are continuing today. It is also about how anyone, and everyone, can make a difference, even if they are not huge political figures. It is about normal, everyday people expressing what they believe in, and not giving into injustice, because "that's just the way things are". It is about the people making the world a better and more peaceful place to live, and how music helps tie it all together. Everyone relates to music. It has this way of making people aware of issues, and gaining attention to those issues.

This book has helped inspire me not to sit back and watch the world go by. I know that I too have a voice, even if it's not a singing one, I can help make the world just a little happier. I can not stand for injustice, and people not excepting difference. I would recommend this book to anyone who truly love music, and what it is about. I would recommend it to anyone who believes, or wants to believe that there is good in every person.

13 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dear "Reader", March 17, 2000

By 

Mary E. Ahern "MissinMH" (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stand and Be Counted: A Revealing History of Our Times Through the Eyes of the Artists Who Helped Change Our World (Hardcover)

I guess life is treating folks in Arlington a little harshly based on the review posted by a "reader" from Arlington, VA. Capitol Hill cynic, perhaps? I've worked on benefit concerts and public events for 15 years and this book was a terrific look inside the hearts and minds of musicians and activists who have made a commitment to Stand and Be Counted. I hope dear "Reader" returned the book to you so that it could end up in the hands of someone who appreciates the issues and the personal portraits presented by David Crosby. A great slice of musical history . . .

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars You Can't Hear A Book, August 28, 2000

By 

Thomas Buckingham (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stand and Be Counted: A Revealing History of Our Times Through the Eyes of the Artists Who Helped Change Our World (Hardcover)

The big problem with this book is that you can't hear the music he describes, so it comes off a little like the old Chris Farley Show segment from Saturday Night Live. "Do you remember when Mick Jagger sang with Tina Turner? That was awesome!"

There are some fun and interesting anecdotes, but not nearly enough of them. Too much of the book is just a listing of singers and songs, dates and concerts.

He spends an unusual amount of time savaging a former drummer, Dallas Taylor, who sued him for back royalties and won an out-of-court settlement. It didn't really fit with the rest of the book, and was rather jarring.

The topic was interesting, but would have been much better suited to television or radio- a medium where you could actually hear what he's talking about.