DAVID CROSBY

I thought I'd better do a David Crosby page after trashing him on "LA's First Hippies". But then I had "a flash". What if David Crosby felt that "he" was the originator, and/or leader, of the 60's counter-cultural revolution? If that were the case, it would explain why he chose to ignore Vito, Szou, Carl Franzoni, & their clan of Freakers. And then, he belittled them with their one mention in his 489 page personal review of the era - “Vito and his Freakers were an acid-drenched extended family of brain-damaged cohabitants.” So, instead of writing a standard "DC" bio and listing his myriad contributions to musical history, I've decided to explore the supposition "What if David Crosby thinks he's "L.A.'s First Hippie"?    REMEMBER - This is just a "WHAT IF"

DAVID CROSBY "Call them Freaks, the Underground, the Counter-Culture, Flower Children or Hippies...   they are all loose labels for the        youth culture of the 60s" from "HIPPIE"  --- Barry Miles   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Miles

“This is how I remember my life.
Other folks may not have the same memories, even though we might have shared some of the same experiences.”

David Crosby
(co-written by Carl Gottlieb)

I offer the above David Crosby quote from his autobiography because it qualifies the contents as "as I remember it", and not as an absolute fact. After all, one can only offer what they remember. - And then David states: "Other folks may not have the same memories, even though we might have shared some of the same experiences.”
There is no doubt that David Crosby stands as one of the pioneers of 60's Rock & Roll, as well as the 60's cultural revolution which surfaced at that time. Crosby remains Laurel Canyon's greatest living historical source on almost every level. The picture to the right is testament enough...            {Joni Mitchell, David Crosby, Eric Clapton @ Joni's Laurel Canyon cabin}
THE CROSBY BIO
David Crosby definitely was there at the very beginning of the LA / Laurel Canyon music scene in1963. born in Los Angeles (Aug.14,1941), the son of Award-winning cinematographer Floyd Crosby, David left drama school to pursue a career in music. His first recording experience was as a member of the Les Baxter Balladeers. He was soon touring the LA folk club circuit, singing solo, or pairing with an assortment of other folkies in temporary duos. While performing at LA's famed Folk Club, the Troubadour, he met fellow jazz lover, Jim Dickson, a recording engineer working at nearby World Pacific Studios. Jim had become a "Troub" regular, in search of talented Folk singers to record. Under the auspices of future producer/manager, Jim Dickson, David Crosby cut his first solo session in late 1963. Aspiring record producer, Dickson, had access to the recording studio at all hours, and scoured local clubs (usually the Troubadour) for singers, to produce demos which he would shop for record deals. when the solo Crosby demo failed to attract industry attention, he tried pairing David with a couple of other Troubadour discoveries,Jim McGuinn & Gene Clark, naming the trio, "the Jet Set". {see photo-left}
When Columbia Records expressed interest in the demo, Dickson realized that the folkie trio had to become an entire band. The 3 singers chose another Laurel Canyon folkie, with whom they harmonized well, Chris Hillman. Already accomplished on mandolin, his transition to bass would be an easy adjustment. Now set with strong four part harmonies, and a bassist, they selected drummer Michael Clarke because he "looked the part"; and the jet Set were renamed The "BYRDS", an blatant play on the "BEATLES".
THE BYRDS
{Bob Dylan sitting in with BYRDS at CIRO'S - Summer,1965}      Once the BYRDS were formed, everything began to happen faster than the band members could keep up. Their debut single, Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man" rocketed up the charts faster than the guys could learn their instruments. They went from their early rehearsals at Vito's art studio, CHEZ VITO, to a Vito produced dance concert, and then playing their first Professional gig at CIRO'S the following night.
EVOLUTION OF THE BEATLE IMAGE
{left-pre Byrds)  {right-very early Byrds} The Byrds' meteoric success left little time to develop musical skills, much less, the band's image. The group of young "ex-folkies" were combining the songs of Bob Dylan with the musical styles and harmonies of the Beatles, thus they agreed to adopt a new Beatles' look for their hair & clothing styles, as well. In fact, the band would select their drummer, Michael Clarke, because he had "that look", more than for his abilities on drums.
Byrds' Bandleader, Jim McGuinn, adopted a 'John Lennon' look, complete with the square 'granny' sunglasses, while the band's young rhythm section of Hillman and Clarke, chose the original Beatle 'Mop Top' haircuts. David Crosby, however, did his best to maintain an individual, yet compatible, appearance to blend with the band. He abandoned his straggly long hair and funky black hat (see top of page - w/Joni & Clapton, and the Jet Set).                                                                          {Byrds performance on TV's "Hullabaloo"}
A close Review of the above B&W's, and the Hullabaloo thumbnail {click} illustrates David Crosby's choice for his unique new look.
THE CAPE
An essential accessory for both Vampires and Superheroes alike, the Cape did showcase the humble musician in publicity photos, and especially when performing on stage w/the BYRDS.  It also attracted attention throughout Laurel Canyon and along the Sunset Strip. David had become accustomed to wearing it when roaring down the road on his motorcycle. "Blowing in the wind " the scene was clearly reminiscent of The Caped Crusader, astride his mighty Batcycle, in pursuit of Gotham City's most evil villain, the Joker. We needn't discuss the David Crosby evening Vampire escapades.
ORIGINAL CAPED FREAKER
Speaking of Evening Vampire Escapades, The photo {thumbnail} on the left is a rare formal portrait of another Laurel Canyon "CAPED CHARACTER" - "CAPTAIN FUCK" (notice large, red monogrammed "F" on the vile Captain's black cape). F The infamous Captain was well known along the Sunset Strip and in the denizens of 'the CANYON'. anyone who prowled the streets of Hollywood, knew the lecherous Captain was the alter ego of LOG CABIN degenerate, Carl Franzoni. When I say "ANYONE", I mean anyone except David Crosby. FREAK DADDY CARL FRANZONI Although rock star, David Crosby, doesn't seem to remember 'Freak', Carl Franzoni, I will list a few reasons why he should.
1. Franzoni was living @ Vito's studio when Byrds first rehearsed there. 2. CARL coproduced @ promoted Vito's "Teen Dance" - Byrds' first gig. 3. He was a member of 'Vito's Freakers', the dance troupe known & often billed as  "THE BYRDS DANCERS". 4. He was Co-leader of Log Cabin commune.	5. He was the infamous "Capt. Fuck", well known caped freak on Sunset Strip 6. He joined Bryan MacClean as Byrds roadie 7. He went with Byrds on their first tour. 8. He selected, coordinated, & often danced with, the Byrds Dancers, featured on the lengthy mid western concert tour. ** See: FRANZONI / BYRDS
SOME DOCUMENTED FREAK REFERENCES
In Waiting for the Sun, Barney Hoskyns writes that the early success of The Byrds and other bands was due in no small part to “the roving troupe of self-styled ‘freaks’ led by ancient beatnik Vito Paulekas and his trusty, lusty sidekick Carl Franzoni.”
As Barry Miles noted in his Biography of Frank Zappa,  “The Byrds were closely associated with Vito and the Freaks: Vito Paulekas, his wife Zsou and Karl Franzoni, leaders of a group of about 35 dancers whose antics enlivened the Byrds early gigs.”
Not only does Byrds manager, Jim Dickson, further acknowledge the importance of "Vito & The Freaks" at their gigs, Chris Hillman & other Byrd members have stated that:   "the dancers played a large part in the success of the band's live performances".
Alban “Snoopy” Pfisterer, former drummer and keyboardist for the band "Love"  even claims that it was Vito who: “got the Byrds together, as I remember – they did a lot of rehearsing at his pad.”
Franzoni states in a recent interview: "Someone came to Vito and said 'Listen we know about this band (the Byrds), it's a really good rock 'n' roll band and they need a place to rehearse. Are you interested in letting them rehearse in your studio?' And he said 'Yeah, I let people come in the daytime when there's nobody around and they can rehearse.' So these guys were a little bit different and they said 'We like to rehearse in the evening.' The first time they were supposed to do their rehearsal they never showed up. Vito said 'If you guys pass my muster I got a gig for you.' So they didn't show up." SEE: http://www.laurelcanyonstories.com/franzoniinterview.htm
IN CLOSING
Though I don't think David Crosby, or the Byrds (as a group), ever used the Log Cabin as a rehearsal hall, as did LA bands: Love, the Mothers, Fraternity of Man, and likely, the Doors. I say," as a group", because the BYRDS were successfully touring (with Carl Franzoni & Bryan MacLean as roadies - [Vito had declined]) by the time the Freaks moved into the Log Cabin. Most of the Byrds, in later years, would play individually at the Log Cabin's legendary parties or late night "Jam's". However, the Byrds did use Vito's art studio, "Clay Vito" AKA "CHEZ CLAY" located at 303 Laurel Ave. & Beverly Dr. (home to 'the freak trio' & followers), for a few of their very first rehearsals together, not to mention occasionally as a 'crash pad'. If Mr. Crosby doesn't remember the rehearsals, perhaps he recalls the Byrds playing a rooftop 'teen dance', organized & produced by Vito with assistance from his Freakers. The dance attracted more than 200 teenagers (mostly students from Fairfax High), who eagerly shelled out $1.50 each to see this new band perform & to dance alongside the "Freak Dancers". You'd have to think that David Crosby would remember this event; Byrd leader, McGuinn, invited everyone in the crowd to come see the band the following night - The invitation was for the Byrd's first professional gig, playing on the grand stage at the newly renovated & recently reopened Sunset Strip club CIRO'S.
"ALMOST CUT MY HAIR"