ON THIS DATE (42 YEARS AGO) November 18, 1972 - Danny Whitten (b. May 8, 1943) died. Whitten was a musician, guitarist and songwriter best known for his work with Neil Young and Crazy Horse. Born in Columbus, Georgia, he joined Billy Talbot and Ralph Molina among others in the doo-wop group Danny and the Memories. After recording an single, Cant Help Loving That Girl of Mine, they moved to San Francisco where they morphed into a folk-psychedelic rock act called The Psyrcle, then The Rockets. They joined up with Neil Young and the recording sessions led to Youngs second album, Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere credited as Neil Young with Crazy Horse with Danny on second guitar and vocals. In 1970, Crazy Horse recorded their first album as a band. Released in early 1971, their debut album included five songs by Danny. Sadly now into heroin he participated only in the early stages of Youngs next solo album, After the Gold Rush, performing on Oh, Lonesome Me, I Believe in You, and When You Dance I Can Really Love. During this time, Neil wrote and recorded The Needle and the Damage Done with direct references to Dannys addiction and its role in the destruction of his talent (sadly overdosed on a mixture of Valium and Vodka). Years later, Young told biographer Jimmy McDonough that for a long time after Whitten died, he felt responsible for Whittens death. It took him years to stop blaming himself. Danny just wasnt happy, Young said. It just all came down on him. He was engulfed by this drug. That was too bad. Because Danny had a lot to give, boy. He was really good. Danny Whitten Neil Young
Posted on: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 16:32:25 +0000