Uplifting doc explains how CSNY legend David Crosby was able to Carry On.

David Crosby, the famed musician of The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young, is still alive today, and wonders why. He has suffered from addictions and medical problems. And yet, he’s still alive today at the age of 77-going-on 78.

He’s lucky to still be alive, when legends like Johnny Cash and Janis Joplin have passed on. The documentary, “Remember My Name,” studies his life, his fans, band-members, his romances, his problems, and his voice. Just be thankful he turned him in to the FBI for drug and weapon charges. That saved his skin.

Upon watching the doc, I’ve acknowledged his feelings and ambitions, as well as his troubles in life. One of his greatest loves, Christine Hilton, tragically died in a car accident at the age of 21, and it has damaged him since, thus resulting in his own drug abuse.

His political beliefs, especially the John F. Kennedy assassination conspiracy, has forced the Byrds to go their separate ways. But then again, politics and business are very difficult to splice, depending what media you’re in.

A famous photograph, given the circumstances, is when he’s standing in front of a white wall, with a cigarette in his mouth and an American flag gun at his head. Then, we see him do it again in his elderly days. Very nostalgic, wouldn’t you say?

The doc also briefly discusses about his family life. For instance, his older brother Ethan taught him how to play the guitar, before his eventual suicide. His father never once said “I love you, son.” And his current wife-Jan Dance-admits her worries for him, given his age, his conditions, and his former drug abuse. The movie is more sentimental about her feelings than the reality of his family and the ones he’s created through time.

“Remember My Name” was directed by A.J. Eaton, who makes his directorial feature debut, and produced by Cameron Crowe, who shares his love for classic music that way he did in “Almost Famous.” In fact, I was greatly reminded of that masterpiece’s feelings and journeys.

As a young film critic, I was moved by his words of life, love, regrets, turmoil, and music. David Crosby is studied at an easy level. We don’t get everything out of this music legend, but the facts make it clear he’s one of the lucky surviving musicians. Eventually, he grasps the concept of why, and we forgive him for his faults.

This is entertaining for fans of his work, fans of the Byrds and CSNY, and anyone who loves a fresh music biopic. I don’t know if everything is accurate, given my generation, but I think this story sums it up.

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Categories: Biography, Documentary, Music