[Michael Sankovich]

His passing inspired me to give another watch to the Laurel Canyon 2 part series that aired a few years back. It’s a terrific documentary for fans of the bands/musicians of that era (mid late 60s/early 70s)/place. Along with Cass Elliot, he was at the social center of that So Cal artistic community.

A gifted harmony singer, none of the songs that he wrote with the Byrds or CSN (and sometimes Y) were among their signature anthems. His musical stylings leaned more to folk/jazz, not the pop/rock/country that those two bands mostly favored. A rock’n’roller more in lifestyle; he once famously said “I didn’t dig Elvis at all”.

[Michael Sankovich]

Emmy also did a fine version of “For No One” on her Reprise debut “Pieces of the Sky”. She gave credibility to country music; many rock’n’roll fans had previously dismissed the genre out of hand. Her voice was angelic, and it didn’t hurt she had an “A” list of musicians backing her both live and in the studio.