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Collecting at Wavy Gravy's Birthday Concert-featuring David Crosby, Graham Nash, Dr. John, Jackson Browne, and more

Tonight at New York's historic Beacon Theatre, a special benefit concert was held in honor of peace activist Wavy Gravy's 75th birthday. An eclectic mix of rock, folk, and blues icons performed in celebration. Naturally, this show presented many opportunities to obtain autographs from the performers.

I arrived at the Beacon around 1:30, right as some of the performers were conducting their sound checks. One of the first notable figures I saw was the birthday celebrant himself. Wavy Gravy, while frail, was very generous with his time, signing autographs for everyone who asked him to with a simple printed "WAVY G." Even when his bodyguard attempted to lure him into the waiting car, Wavy Gravy still wanted to talk to the waiting fans and collectors.

Another success came from pianist Bruce Hornsby, known for his occasional work with the Grateful Dead. When he was finished with his sound check, Mr. Hornsby signed autographs on any item that he was asked to. He seemed flattered to be asked, joking that we as collectors should keep a look out for "bigger" names and "not waste our time" on him. Clearly, however, no time was wasted as Mr. Hornsby was extremely kind.

Of course, in our hobby, there are always disappointments as well. When guitarist Jorma Kaukonen, formerly of Jefferson Airplane, arrived for his sound check, he promised that he would sign as soon as he was done. The collectors waiting at the stage door never saw the man again throughout the whole afternoon. Also, due to the fact that blues pianist Dr. John arrived late and was slated last for a sound check, he did not return either.

Then, there was Jackson Browne. As he left to go back to his hotel, I asked him for an autograph. Mr. Browne gave me a very snobbish explanation that since he saw signed albums sell for $200 on eBay, he never signs autographs anymore. I told him that this was an index card, not one of his albums, and requested a personalization. Mr. Browne then pretended to think about it, and gave me a stern "NO!" before walking along. At least he gave some sort of an explanation.

And this brings me to David Crosby and Graham Nash. The two singer-songwriters have been performing together for over 40 years, often with Stephen Stills and Neil Young. Their vocal harmonies may be legendary, but when it came to signing autographs, these two were as different as night and day. Two weeks ago, they were performing a show at the Town Hall in Times Square. Their bus arrived at 4:30-well before the concert-and both Mr. Crosby and Mr. Nash pretty much ignored the waiting fans. Today, however, was a different story. They both acknowledged me-but in very different ways. After sound check, Mr. Nash signed an autograph immediately when I asked him to. He was very cordial, asking my name and where I was from. No, he did not use this information to personalize, but he was in a rush-what can I say?

Stories about David Crosby are legendary among autograph collectors nationwide-and they're not usually very positive. Enterprising autograph collector that I am, however, I wanted to see for myself. When Mr. Crosby left the theatre, he walked the two blocks to his hotel. He would not even look at me until I had chased him to this hotel, and he then proceeded to say "I don't care if you're a dealer, fan, collector, or whatever....I'M NOT SIGNING ANYTHING, DAMMIT!"

Fast forward about five hours-Mr. Crosby is arriving back at the Beacon for the performance. I'll script out what happened...

ME: Mr. Crosby, would you please sign for me?

CROSBY: I'll tell you what, kid. And you better leave me alone after this.

ME: Okay?

CROSBY: Take out another index card, write "I will not sell David Crosby's autograph", and then sign it. After that I will sign your index card.

I then proceeded to do what Mr. Crosby asked of me, handed him the card, and when I looked up at Mr. Crosby, all he said was "Thanks, see you later" and proceeded into the theatre without signing for me.

I guess I should be thankful for what I have....and disappointed that people like David Crosby will just never change their poor attitudes towards autograph collectors.

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Comment by Robert Babb on May 28, 2011 at 3:08pm: Sounds like you got some cool autographs none the less!

Comment by thomas connolly on May 29, 2011 at 10:08pm: no surprise with david crosby, he started to act like this as far back as 1996. but i give you credit for trying as hard as you did.

Comment by thomas connolly on May 29, 2011 at 11:08pm: the best one when it comes to the selling of autographs is ringo starr, if you go to you tube. now heres a guy who was a capitalist who acted like some kind of socialist when he was with the beatles, they sold everyone their records, but dont you dare sell his autograph, why?maybe it hurts his ego? many rock stars are like this, by selling their autograph you only hurt their egos, but like i said before, we all brought their products, and that was their ego trip.

Comment by thomas connolly on May 30, 2011 at 12:09am: and whats ironic about ringo, the guy stunk for signing since the 1970s in person, during the the 1980s and 1990s ect. he did send back thru the mail. but in person he was very unpredictable. you would have to say a hail mary, and hope he was in a good mood.

Comment by Josh Board on May 30, 2011 at 1:12am: You know what's insane? I've heard of Crosby doing that move before. As well as 5 different people telling me he said "If you sell my autograph, you'll get testicular cancer." Two he said that two, he didn't even sign for!!! He wished cancer on somebody that he didn't even sign for.

Wavy G. has been printed his name for at least 30 years, which is always cool -- because at least it's an autograph you can read!!!

And Jackson Browne has been hit-and-miss, mostly miss, for a long time. He did a CD signing in LA at Amebia Records. I didn't go, because to drive 2 hours, for his new CD, knowing he would not sign ANY OTHER ITEM, made it a trip I couldn't justify. It's so easy for him to say "buy the new CD, I'll sign an additional item or two."

And I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND how it's such a turn-off, for them to show up at the venues, and seeing autograph dealers/collectors, with a collection of albums (which doesn't say crap about being a fan -- you can go buy them at dollar bins at many record/CD stores)...but as I've said, super easy to sign one item per person. The dealers will be pissed, the fans will be thrilled.

Comment by thomas connolly on May 30, 2011 at 12:46pm: its obvious that crosby has mental problems. who wishes cancer on anyone. he always looked to start in with anyone who asked him to sign. and he scares you because he looks like an old washed up walrus. i remember after his liver transplant, he started to sign again, but that didnt last long. he went back to being the bastard he is the next time we seen him. but what does matter if someone is a fan of theirs, and you have stills and nash, and you cant get him to sign to complete an album or a photo of the three of them. that sucks.

Comment by thomas connolly on May 30, 2011 at 10:26pm: ill never forget as long as i live, back in the late 1980s, when keith richards had an apartment on west 4 th street right around the corner from tower records. we had quite a few stones albums with us. and he starting signing them for us, and the guy with him said you sell these? and keith said i dont care if they wipe their ass with them. keith you are the best..

Comment by roger epperson on June 1, 2011 at 2:00pm: A few years back in Glascow Scotland he was leaving the theater where he sang with David Gilmour and there were a few people waiting for Gimour and Crosby came out screaming I'm not signing any autographs and 5 fans said in unison, "we didn't ask you, you jerk!" I cracked up. He is such a dickhead.

Comment by thomas connolly on June 1, 2011 at 10:36pm: lol two very nice guys performing together, but gilmour aint as bad as crosby. even tho he did scratch out roger waters signatures on albums back in the 1980s. when he was asked to sign pink floyd albums with roger already on them. but i still believe the gentleman who was humiliated by crosby, could have possibly gotten gilmour on an 3 x 5 card, or his cd. without going thru the crap that crosby pulled on him.

Comment by thomas connolly on June 1, 2011 at 10:54pm: and i always wondered why it was billed as crosby, stills and nash. with crosby being first. because crosby is the lowest talent out of all 3, well maybe im wrong. he was a sensation when he was with the byrds???.

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