Bruce Berry
Bruce Anthony Berry (August 3, 1950 – June 4, 1973) was a professional roadie for the members of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, both as a group and individually.
He got his start by working at his brother Ken's store SIR (Studio Instrument Rentals) which brought him steady gigs. His happy, charismatic personality endeared him to the group and he was always on the road with them. He used to load all of his instruments into his trademark white Ford Econoline van, until he moved to England to work with Stephen Stills.
When he returned to the United States, he was a completely different person. Danny Whitten of Crazy Horse had turned him on to heroin and it now controlled his life. Berry died of an overdose of heroin and cocaine[1] on June 4, 1973, just a few months after Whitten met the same fate. Berry's story was later used as the theme of the lyrics of the title track from Tonight's the Night by Neil Young.[2]
References
- Durchholz, Daniel; Graff, Gary (2012). Neil Young: Long May You Run: The Illustrated History. Voyageur Press. p. 79. ISBN 978-0760344118.
- "Tonight's the Night". Neil Young Album Reviews. Retrieved 2007-09-21.
- McDonough, Jimmy (2002). Shakey. Vintage Canada. pp. 357–654. ISBN 0-679-31193-9.