Since Then: How I Survived Everything and Lived to Tell About it

by David Crosby, Carl Gottlieb

A two-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame evaluates the contradictory aspects of his life, describing such topics as his familial relationships, life-threatening health issues, and ongoing appreciation for the opportunities that enabled his successful career. 175,000 first printing.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography, Rock N Roll, Memoir, Autobiography, Collections

293 pages, Hardcover

First published November 7, 2006

Reviews

[Elizabeth Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

HUGE Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young fan. Loved it.

[Brian Katz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good sequel to Long Time Gone but the format was different. In the first book, the story was linear through time. In the second book, the story jumped around a lot, focusing on events more so. Lots of them, liver failure and follow up, heart attack and the use of a stent, on the road with CSN, CSNY and CPR (his son), politics, charity to benefit concerts, meeting the Dali Lama, getting arrested with a gun (felony charge in NY City), the economic of the music business, then and now, an accident on his motor cycle and recovering damages later in life, when the money was really needed. Learning to fly an air plane (similar to sailing the Mayan) and much more. Crosby lived an interesting life and these stories helped to put everything into context. He was a great talent that will be missed.

[Jim Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written memoir, David Crosby's second collaboration with Carl Gottlieb, that covers his life until 2006, when the book was published. A street-smart, self-taught man, Crosby's done some good, some bad, and some incredibly stupid things, gotten a liver transplant, and still makes music. Told in the first-, second-, and third-persons, through interviews with his family, friends, and associates, as well as Crosby himself, this is a story of luck and stupidity as well as of sadness, tragedy, redemption and triumph.

[queen esther · Rating 3 out of 5]

more on life lessons learned from that golden-throated felon, ex-drug addict, reformed hippie and pistolero david crosby: his numerous illnesses, surgeries and chronic ailments from decades of drug use, debauchery, and motorcycle accidents; his many children from famous lesbians, communal living in the 60s and his formerly drug-addled wife jan; his falling off the wagon and out of favor with the AA folks by smoking pot; and of course the usual hi-jinx with the cops.

clearly, he didn't think he'd live this long and now he really wants to live, to be a part of all of his children's lives. he's diabetic. he's got circulatory issues. he's already had one liver transplant. he trashed his life and recovered beautifully. he trashed his body and now he's staggering into old age with his adoring wife by his side (who's had her fair share of drugs), surrounded by progeny and *surprise!* he's broke. (wait, what?!?)

maybe that's why he wrote this book and the one before it -- money! sure, there's the odd musician here or there who wants to hear all about the anatomy of this song or what happened during that recording session but for the most part, this is a chance for "the croz" to set the record straight and maybe get a fat check.

and yes, he explains himself quite well but you're still left wondering what happened to all that money.

this book wasn't as lurid as the first one but yeesh -- i remember finishing it and thanking Jesus that i didn't fall off the deep end with drugs, that i didn't smoke, that i worked hard to take care of myself physically.

if reading something like this doesn't compel you to at least try to live clean for the sake of the middle age years and the old age you might live to see, nothing will.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Since Then is like having an intense conversation with a group of close friends who finish each other's sentences. While Crosby talks about his life experiences without preaching or apologizing, co-author Gottlieb offers insight and gives the reader the social and political context. Crosby's reputation for being outspoken and controversial is affirmed throughout the book, most notably when he reflects on the music industry. Crosby cuts himself no slack, however, and extends his honesty and frank comments to his own choices.

[Suzanne Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy David Crosby because he’s honest about his life and passionate about what’s important to him. The style of this book—offering the views of others interspersed with David’s recollections—took a little getting used to but it was useful. He was quite prescient in his political assessment towards the end of the book.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another of those bio's that make you feel as if your just hanging out with the guy. Only you end up feeling absolutely amazed that he's not only still alive but still putting out such wonderful music.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good not great

After reading Crosby’s first book I felt I had to complete the story with the second book. I found this to be less of a continuation of his biography and more of a soapbox to hear his opinions on everything.

[Violet · Rating 1 out of 5]

Despite several decades of fame as a musician, David Crosby wants you to know that he is broke, except for those assets he chooses not to sell.

[Andy Catier · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good read, I'm a big fan of CSN. I am so glad David made it out from his dark years. Keep on making music David

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing recollection of a flawed life. Croz should have bit it many times, yet he lasted with us until 2021. I enjoyed reading of his journey from folkie, to The Byrds, to CSN/CSNY, to CPR, and everything in between. His was a voice of my youth, and it was a joy to read of his interactionswith many of the other great musicians from the past 60 years.

His description of the corruption and good-ol-boy networking in the recording/music industry and how it collapsed was eye-opening. What started as a grass-roots "play music as if you were playing records for your friends at home" turned into corporate nonsense and boring and repetitive playlists, thanks to deregulation

I found it very interesting, in the later chapters (especially Chapter 19, "We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident", and Chapter 20, "9/11, John McCain, and the Dalai Lama) of his foresight on the political problems we see today, which he saw way back in 2006, all in the name of a quest for power.

I had a few interactions with Croz on Twitter (back when it was tolerable) in the years before he passed, and his last album, "For Free" (2021), was, in my humble opinion, his best solo work in years. I just wish there was an addendum to the book from 2006 to 2021.

What an interesting dude he was.

[Paul Catterton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always, the great writer

Whar a storied past; liver failure, motorcycle accident, heart attack, social activist and more. David's story is here, but also a living history that gives shape and dimension to the event and political struggles of our nation. Good read!

[Joan Ellen Rosenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart and Soul

This offering took me into the heart and soul of a great artist and humanist. Croz gives an honest account of his lived experiences which touch on almost every aspect of life one can imagine. I love the music and the man.

[Norman Weatherly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a most excellent book. I have been listening to him for a good many years, I even had the privilege of seeing him live, and this book gave me a lot of insight as to who David Crosby really is. Love him or hate him, he is a polarizing individual, who happens to make a lot of good music.

[Cowtown · Rating 4 out of 5]

A typical auto bio, a little self-evident ego, but I enjoyed revisiting the 60's and the 70's with such a character!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

#19 of 120 books pledged to read during 2022

[John Albers · Rating 2 out of 5]

For David Crosby fans only.

[HAN DE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastically written. And an inspirational story!

[PennsyLady (Bev) · Rating 4 out of 5]

293pg

I began with the second installment of Croz's life.
So, I'm not coming from the position of having read Long Time Gone.
Still, his music and his relationships make more sense to me after reading Since Then

Physically, the book layout is a bit unusual but it is explained as you begin the read.
Say what you may, he is a rock and roll survivor, a two-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
and an icon of counterculture.
Still, the book was a series of interesting disclosures (to me).
Yes, I knew there were demons and struggles but now, the picture is more complete.
He's still an enigma, but Since Then has him addressing problems head on and coping with the consequences of his actions.

It is "a candid chronicle from an outspoken legendary musician"
It's dramatic...but would you expect less?
It's turbulent, deeply personal and yet spoken with a skillful subtlety in certain areas.
There were troubled relationships but I saw the balance of those who truly loved him.

You'll travel through many an issue and controversy.
But, I'll leave them to your own discovery.

I read this statement once:
293pg

I began with the second installment of Croz's life.
So, I'm not coming from the position of having read Long Time Gone.
Still, his music and his relationships make more sense to me after reading Since Then

Physically, the book layout is a bit unusual but it is explained as you begin the read.
Say what you may, he is a rock and roll survivor, a two-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
and an icon of counterculture.
Still, the book was a series of interesting disclosures (to me).
Yes, I knew there were demons and struggles but now, the picture is more complete.
He's still an enigma, but Since Then has him addressing problems head on and coping with the consequences of his actions.

It is "a candid chronicle from an outspoken legendary musician"
It's dramatic...but would you expect less?
It's turbulent, deeply personal and yet spoken with a skillful subtlety in certain areas.
There were troubled relationships but I saw the balance of those who truly loved him.

You'll travel through many an issue and controversy.
But, I'll leave them to your own discovery.

I read this statement once:
"David Crosby is a singer/songwriter who lives his lyrics"
Indeed he does....

[Denis Farley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting documentary screen play, possibly feature like format with up to three narratives, one of which is more or less a guest spot, providing many narratives . . . looks like I'll take in this collection of autobiographies from last 'till first. A story is a story is a story . . . time is time ~ literal set changes come easy, no?

As far as the details . .. I'm like 'judge not' . . . having said that .. . I liked some of the song references and biz, especially the independent advice. The rest is pure subjective .. . a look from the mountaintop down . . . former CSN&Y bass player, Fuzzy Samuel has a song called, 'Walk a mile in my shoes' . . . which kind of says it. Fuzzy introduced me to Fred Neil back in '78, and there I also met Bobby Ingram.

I've sung harmony with the band from out in the audience, and I was at the recent recording at SLO . . . so, ahh, and I still talk to Fuzzy, at least once a week. The sound, the blend of Nash & Crosby is a magical thing.

Now I'm starting in on Stand and be counted and the first one, Long Time Gone.

[Amanda R · Rating 1 out of 5]

If the first one was disappointing, the sequel was infuriating. Even less discussion of music than there was in Long Time Gone. You wouldn't even know he was a musician except that he mentions going on tour a few times. Instead we get the annoying pontifications of an arrogant, slightly racist braggart who just loves to drop names. This book covers the period where he made Thousand Roads, which (though cheesy as hell) is an album that holds quite a lot of meaning for me, and it was mentioned once in passing just so that he could tell us that he co-wrote a song with Phil Collins. Very, very disappointing. And many of his rants, especially toward the end, made me roll my eyes so hard they just about fell out of my head. Don't even bother with this ridiculous book.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me begin by admitting that I am a huge David Crosby fan. I always have been, right from his songs with the Byrds to CSN to his solo work. I read Long Time Gone and felt it did a fine job of letting us into his life and his music. Since Then lives up to the promise of its title and brings readers up to date on Crosby's travails and triumphs in the areas of health, social justice, and personal life. There's precious little discussion of the fine music he has produced in the past 20 years, so those who are expecting background info on songs, albums, tours, or music will definitely be disappointed. If you're only interested in Crosby's music, steer clear of this one and read Long Time Gone instead.

[David Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since Then: How I Survived Everything and Lived To Tell About It by David Crosby and Carl Gottleib (Putnam 2006)(780.92). David Crosby was a sweet-voiced member of the legendary rock group Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. He was one of the industry's major drug abusers, but he eventually cleaned up and became one of rock's major recovery stories. This is the tale of what has happened since that time. Crosby has relapsed, cleaned up again, learned that he had two adult children that he never knew about, and had a daughter with his wife Jan. Life is sweet like a rhapsody for this contented and kind man. Great story. My rating: 7.5/10, finished 2008.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second autobiography (hence the title "Since Then") and chronicles David Crosby's recent years. If you are a fan of his music, you will enjoy tales of the evolution of his style and partnerships with other performers. The story is told as a combination of "news reels" and "movie scenes", which is sometimes interesting and other times just confusing. There are some hilarious anecdotes and some moments where you just wonder, "What was he thinking?" In all, worth reading, but I would pick up his earlier autobiography first.

[Jan C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comme ci comme ca

Good but a little preachy at times. A little longer than it needed to be.

Generally it was a little better than okay but the preachiness kind of brought it down in the end. But very entertaining. I'll have to go back and read the first book now.

I didn't really know there were any semi-sane people who believed in an apocalypse. But he apparently came from a family of believers, so we can't even really blame it on the drugs. And he legitimately qualified for his transplant.

[Allan Heron · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable follow up to Long Time Gone this book provides further background to David's health struggles and his life with his new (and not so new) family.

It's not the newest book and stops in the mid-noughties as CSNY are undertaking their Living With War tour.

There's a few chapters of a more directly political nature and Croz is as direct and uncompromising as you'd expect (and, let's face it, want).

Time has moved on in the decade since and besides the fact that the great man is still with us he is also on something of a creative roll. Another book beckons perhaps?

[David Melbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Crosby has always been a mentor to me. Ever since I first heard Deja Vu, I have been hooked. I still sing several of his songs: Laughing, What Are Their Names, . . . Tamalpais High (At About 3), Traction In The Rain. Nobody writes songs like him. Well, except maybe me! --From A Reader's Journal, by d r melbie.

[Glenn Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was an interesting update on a great musician and a self destructive man. If anyone thinks drugs and booze adds to the glamorous life should read how messed up ones life can get. Not alot about music in this which was a let down. Unlike the Clampton and Keef autobiographies, this can be passed unless you are a pure CSN&Y fan.

[Linda Rudzinskas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for your HONESTY

Ever since I first saw CSN,&Y perform in the early '70's
I have been a big fan of this man and his fellow band
Mates. Reading about David Crosby gives great insight
to WHAT makes this man tick! This book was an easy read
and an honest read. Thank you Mr. Crosby for your candor.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am currently 71 pages into this book but so far it is keeping my attention and has been entertaining. As a CSN&Y fan since my youth I find it an interesting read.