Legendary singer-songwriter and guitarist David Crosby says that he was branded an “old idiot” by members of his own family over his dismissive tweet about Eddie Van Halen.
A week after the VAN HALEN axeman’s death, Crosby seemingly minimized Van Halen‘s talents, replying simply “Meh ….” when asked for his opinion of the Eddie‘s guitar-playing skills. The following day, Crosby took to his Twitter to clarify his original comments. “[Jimi] Hendrix changed the world of guitar. Nobody else really,” he wrote. “[L]ook I get it ..many of you loved Van Halen ….and the one time I met [him] he was nice ….and he was talented …meh to me means I don’t care that much ….and I don’t …doesn’t mean he wasn’t good ,he was but not for me”. He later offered an apology of sorts, claiming he had forgotten the guitarist had just died and admitting his original tweet was “not cool.”
On Wednesday (October 21), Crosby once again addressed his Van Halen faux pas, writing on Twitter: “You will be happy to know that I am reliably informed by the younger members of my family that I am an old idiot and Van Halen was one of the [best] guitarists to have ever lived”.
After a Twitter follower told him that he “blew the Eddie Van Halen thing”, Crosby replied: “I did. He was an amazing guitarist but I didn’t know that. Truth is I never ever listened to that band so I was completely ignorant. No insult intended. I never listened to any of the big pop rock bands. I didn’t even own a Led Zep record and they could write.”
The left-leaning Crosby frequently spars with fans on Twitter about politics and passionately defends his stance, saying that he disagrees with those who think artists like him should “shut up and sing.” “It’s not part of the deal,” he told the Boston Globe three years ago.
At 79, Crosby is a two-time Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer, inducted as a member of both the widely innovative folk-rock band THE BYRDS — with whom he first rose to stardom — and the Woodstock era-defining group CROSBY, STILLS & NASH.
Crosby played at some of rock’s most culturally significant concerts, including the Monterey Pop Festival, Woodstock and the Altamont Free Concert. He is also one of rock’s most prolific collaborators, recording and playing with Bob Dylan, members of the GRATEFUL DEAD, Neil Young, Jackson Browne and others.
Image credit: Live From Here
You will be happy to know that I am reliably informed by the younger members of my family that I am an old idiot and Van Halen was one of the next guitarists to have ever lived
— David Crosby (@thedavidcrosby) October 21, 2020
I did ..he was an amazing guitarist but I didn’t know that…truth is I never ever listened to that band so I was completely ignorant ….no insult intended….I never listened to any of the big pop rock bands ..I didn’t even own a Led Zep record and they could write https://t.co/bzQNLSvil0
— David Crosby (@thedavidcrosby) October 21, 2020
