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

by David Crosby

"NOBODY KIDS THEMSELVES INTO BELIEVING THAT THEY CAN SOLVE THE WORLD'S PROBLEMS. WE'RE JUST TRYING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, TO CHANGE THINGS FOR THE BETTER WHEREVER WE CAN. AND IF IT TAKES A LONG PUSH, THEN WE'RE IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL. A LOT OF TIMES THIS ISN'T ABOUT THE GENIUS OF THE MOMENT. IT'S ABOUT PERSISTENCE. IT'S ABOUT BEING IN THERE AND STAYING IN THERE." Since the early sixties, musicians have put themselves on the line for the causes they believed in, raising public awareness about important issues through songs, rallies, and benefit events. For more than thirty years, musician David Crosby has been one of rock 'n' roll's most outspoken voices for social change. in Stand and Be Counted, he and coauthor David Bender recount the stories of the artists who made a difference and the passionate convictions that moved them. Crosby's personal participation and his friendships with many of the artists involved give readers a behind-the-scenes look at events from the civil rights marches and antiwar moratoriums of the sixties, to the antinuclear events of the seventies, to Live Aid and the Amnesty International events of the eighties--right up to the Tibetan Freedom concerts of today. This compelling story includes new interviews with such diverse artists as Harry Belafonte, Whoopi Goldberg, Adam Yauch, Phil Collins, Robin Williams, Eddie Vedder, Joan Baez, and Jimmy Buffett. Poignant and inspirational, Stand and Be Counted is an unforgettable document of the history of activism in late twentieth-century America.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, History

256 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1999

Reviews

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stand and Be Counted: Making Music, Making Historyby David Crosby (Harper San Francisco 2000) (781.5) (3508).

Hey now! The Croz has resurfaced. This is his latest effort on his road to redemption tour. This volume goes through a short introduction to the history of political activism in the US. It then segues into a series of critiques of various rock and roll benefit concerts that Crosby knew of or had been involved in, however marginally. This approach allows Crosby the room to tell stories of his past including appearances with a number of famous musicians.

I'm not sure what this book's purpose is – a call to activism, I suppose.

My rating: 7/10, finished 2/8/21 (3508). I purchased a HB copy in good condition from McKay's Books for $4.00 on 1/31/21.

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[Denis Farley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm on a Croz kick, and have 'Long Time Gone' up next. Here's a few more *** stars in case we need them. I would have to believe that when Pete Seeger played my 7th grade classroom in '58, he was donating his talent, and then, I remember his histrionic, Abiyoyo, 'children's song', high spirited, but I never tired of it at those High School, early '60s performances. I feel as Mr. Crosby does, that Pete is a national treasure.
Compassion was sometimes visited on me, I suppose as well. Something about dogs, under & over, around & through, that could always get me to tear up. Sleepy now ;)

[Heart DeCoupeville · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because we remember how it was, we know how it is, and we dream of how it could be.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really nice ramble down memory lane being 75 myself and living in Hollywood for many years. The authors did a great job interviewing musicians of the day and gathering info of many relevant figures like Harry Belafonte and Bill Graham. Croz knew so many of them well and this was a delight to read so soon after his death.

[Bill Kimrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice thought. Boring book.

[Robyn Obermeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book getting down on paper some amazing events and insight into them! loved the Phil Collins story on another day in paradise as well as For What Its Worth, Ohio, no Nukes, all moments in history that are intense!

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

For class