Neil Young has issued a statement on his late manager Elliot Roberts, who passed away yesterday.
In Neil Young’s Statement on Elliot Roberts | NYA he writes that he was "the greatest manager of all time".
All the words in the world could not express my sense of love and thanks to Elliot Rabinowitz and his beautiful family, who adored him. He was there for all of us.Full statement at Neil Young’s Statement on Elliot Roberts | NYA.
When it came to our business, Elliot guided me through every move. We talked every day. Often I would call him multiple times in a day, arguing, discussing, planning and sharing. He was there for me and protected my music with a fierceness. He loved music and managed over the years many greats, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, David Blue, Tracey Chapman, Tegan and Sara, Crosby Stills and Nash, Tom Petty, The Eagles, among others.
Full TW obituary on Elliot Roberts: 1943 - 2019.
New audio for RBP subscribers: Barney Hoskyns looks back with the late Elliot Roberts on Laurel Canyon, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, David Geffen and more (1993)...https://t.co/RU0W2xuOaR pic.twitter.com/jqzjmMlJ5i
— Rock's Backpages (@rocksbackpages) June 28, 2019
The Farm Aid family lost an important member and friend last week with the death of Elliot Roberts. Each year, backstage at the Farm Aid festival, he’d greet Farm Aid staff with a warm, “Happy Farm Aid!” We will miss him dearly.https://t.co/0AXuMtLVov pic.twitter.com/ix7Dw5uROA
— Farm Aid (@FarmAid) June 26, 2019
I interviewed Elliot in 1982 along with my colleague Paul for Broken Arrow magazine.
ReplyDeleteWe called at his hotel for him & he had a taxi booked which he turned away and traveled in our car from the hotel to the record company offices in Soho.
He was in London setting up the Trans tour. Although we were obviously to him amateurs at interviews he was nothing but charming and did most of the talking and provided a lot of information about the tour and Neil generally. He posed for photos at the end joking to us to make sure we got his good side.
That is my experience of him and it was an extremely positive one.
David Clarke
NYAS member #3
David - thanks for sharing those memories of Elliot.
ReplyDeleteand, yes, your interview with Elliott Roberts along w/ Paul Makos from the Neil Young Appreciation Society publication 'Broken Arrow', May 25, 1982. essential.
NYAS member #3 ?! impressive.
Stephen Stills statement:
ReplyDelete“Elliot Roberts was the probably the kindest, gentlest, and far and away the funniest man I ever worked with in Show Business. He was also tough as a barbed wire fence, fiercely loyal and keenly observant; guarding the best interests of his clients with uncommon tenacity and skill.
“But his greatest gift was his soulful, open heart. No doubt it was the source of his sensitivity and singular understanding of the courageous honesty with which a great artist willingly reveals their soul and transports us. He allowed himself to feel the vulnerability of being fully immersed in the moment, yet oddly untethered. It is a profound experience and not easily undertaken. I have seen him do it, and felt him with me, swimming in the ether. Elliot Roberts possessed a unique ability to recognize a great artist when he saw one. His natural empathy was perfectly suited for his emergence as an enormously impactful personal manager to a collection of the most legendary artists of our time.
“I am honored to have been his friend, forever grateful that he chose to represent me.I truly loved Elliot Roberts and shall miss him beyond measure.”
Graham Nash's statement:
“Elliot was a funny, brilliant friend and devoted manager. His life touched many people, and he brought forth the best in people. He was the glue that kept CSNY together in our early years and I will certainly miss him with sadness in my heart”.
Elliott Roberts was the last of the artist friendly managers. Managers that honored the music and the artist first and foremost. Supporting and encouraging, allowing the artists the freedom to explore without prejudice. This type of person has always been a rare bird in the music business much like Ahmet Ertegun was for Atlantic Records. These guys are the ones who knew the importance of giving the artist space and time to grow and develop. Without these kinds of people, much of the music we love today would never have been made in the first place. Elliott Roberts will be sadly missed, not only for his work ethic but his personality and his spirit as well. Rest easy Elliott, we’ll all be with you sooner or later.
ReplyDeleteElliot was one of the best friends Neil had throughout his career and life.He was always there for Neil and so was Neil there for him.The world lost a good man,loved and appreciated by so many.Sweet dreams in heaven and rest in peace,friend.Cees Mostert,the Netherlands.
ReplyDeleteDavid, thanks for sharing that story. Elliot was one of a kind. How do you know what NYAS # you are?
ReplyDeleteDan1,I was a member of the Neil Young Appreciaty Society till it stopped existing.When you're one of the first members you've got a low number.It's as simple as that.My number was somewhere in the 3000...so I joined the fanclub much later than David.I enjoyed reading it.In those days there was no internet!Cees Mostert.
ReplyDeleteWhen you're one of the first menbers of this community (the Neil Young Appreciation Society) it's obvious you've got a low number....Cees Mostert.Mine was somewhere between 3000 and 5000,I'm not so sure exactly.
ReplyDelete