The first time I saw this...If there was one person I would have enjoyed having a conversation with, it would have been Warren Zevon. He sat right next to me (on my left) on a flight from Chicago to Albany in 1992 maybe 1993, I was headed home on military leave. I saw his equipment being loaded on the AA flight. Being heavily into music, I knew someone was about to board the aircraft. It was Warren. Next to me, he made a phone call from the aircraft phone on the back of the seat to speak to his Wife and his daughter. As I recall, he explained to his daughter "he loved her and he would be home soon". He asked the stewardess how long the flight was. I wanted to whistle Warewolves of London as he was seated next to me (like---hey...I know who you are...), but out of respect, I refrained. That's a memory I will never forget. May he sleep peacefully.

Jackson Browne is quite the empathetic human...he also tried very hard to help David Crosby during his worst drug addiction days, including chartering private jets to take him to rehab, paying up front for rehab, and then having Crosby skip out on day 1 or 2. So he has done a lot for many friends and family...

For an alcoholic of Warren's caliber to continue in his state, he had to have enabler's of the caliber which he did. He emerges in this biography as a compelling character, but there is still that response DeCurtis mentions," how could I possibly like this guy?". Warren's behavior was inexcusable despite all of the excuses and romanticizing his fans concoct. And writing a few interesting songs certainly doesn't justify any of Warren's destructive excesses.

WZ beat her many times during their marriage. Treated his kids like dirt. He left a path of destruction.

I've read Crystal's book at least three times now and I'm still stunned by how brilliantly well written and brutally honest it is.

I asked him where he got the idea for SUZIE LIGHTNING. He said, "I was usually high when I wrote those songs, so I really couldn't tell you."

I was worried this was going to be a hatchet job on his memory, thank goodness she did nothing like that. She told of things that happen when you love an alcoholic, but I could tell she did indeed love him for a time. I feel I understand him much better than I had. Thank you

I never met a person who didn't like warrens music.

There’s nothing brave about settling scores with the dead--especially when you have other people tell the story. I’m sure Crystal’s children have stories about her to tell. May they keep them to themselves. Warren Zevon died worried about not being remembered. If his ex-wife has her way, he’ll be remembered only as another angry drunk who hit the sauce again when he knew he hadn’t long to go. What we saw was a man doing what he could to leave a more positive legacy in his last days, as noble a struggle there is. There was a reason people were drawn to Warren and stuck by him like they did. It’s hard to find in her book.

Thank you so much for posting this. I always wondered what happened to Crystal and she seems to me just a she was way back when. Then and now she was and is a real person with a heart of gold. I wish she'd been my wife, lol. She loves unconditionally and I wish her a long and wonderful life.

Crystal, my name is Jean, I live in Batemans Bay NSW Australia. I'm 66 years old today. I desperately wanted to at least read, yet alone, own your book. Today for my Birthday my gorgeous daughter surprised me with a copy that she ordered from America, to hopefully arrive on or before my Birthday. It came late yesterday. Then my son told me he was getting it for me for Christmas. How lucky am I. As I haven't read your book yet, I can't comment but I just can't wait to get stuck into it. It would be silly to say I loved Warren, as I wasn't that familiar with him but thanks to KZread and a growing appreciation of the Genius that was your Warren thankyou for opening old wounds and a genuine love of Warren from you. Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou. Always strive to be happy. 🥴

Reading the book now. I love Warren and his music so much I named my only child, my son, Warren. The man was troubled for sure, a genius, with a voice like no other. So glad I got to see him live a couple of times. Thank you to Letterman for his support and devoting that last show to Warren. Wow.

That line at the end about Old Girl... Wow. I'm speechless...

she sounds absolutely honest and sincere

Thank you for the courage and dedication to write so movingly and openly about your personal life and experiences. No one else could have shared so intimately and compassionately the details of a brilliant and flawed genius.

The work described in the Big Book of alcoholics anonymous is a beautiful life process . A solution . Continuous, complete, NeverEnding .

Great insight of an amazing artist......Flaws and all, what a complex man. I will be buying the book.

RIP Warren.

David Letterman helped out by giving him work filling in with the band on his show...he appeared on Dave's show and talked about finding out about his terminal status...watch it. It's good

All of us old drunks used the blackout in order to escape blame and pretend to forget the bad things we did to the ones we loved .