David Crosby died yesterday. Jeff Beck died last week. I loved them both.
I’m not going to write an obituary or much about these great musicians’ work. You can find those kinds of posts all over the Internet. I’m more concerned about what the death of icons means for us, the living creators.
I grew up listening to Crosby, Stills, and Nash, and sometimes Young. Their music is timeless, harmonies exquisite. According to Stephen Stills, the genius behind those harmonies was David Crosby.
Jeff Beck was a bit less obvious. He didn’t get the same kind of hoopla and glory as guys like Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, but he was always there, one of the more innovative guitarists to ever play the instrument.
It’s sad to watch so many of the great musicians of my youth move on to the Great Band in the Sky. But it’s inevitable. What does that mean for me, for us? Where do we go from here?
If you’re a musician or a creator of any kind, take heed. Life is short. We only get so much time to do the things we love, to create our art, to work to improve at what we do. Don’t let it slip away. I know life can get busy, but make time to create. Do what you love.
The death of icons is sad. I’ve cried for John Lennon, George Harrison, Tom Petty, and many others. But I’ve also been inspired by each and every one of them.
Don’t wait to create. There are no guarantees in life. Get out that old guitar. Write a poem. Sing a song. Create your masterpiece. I’m pretty sure it’s what David and Jeff and all the others would say too. – dse
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