The Oscar-winning filmmaker Cameron Crowe, best known for rock-themed films such as “Singles” and the autobiographical “Almost Famous,” has signed a deal to produce a documentary on the life of rock icon David Crosby, BMG announced yesterday. It is the first documentary about the veteran folk rocker — a founding member of the Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young — to be fully authorized by the Crosby.
The film project is currently the untitled and is helmed by first time feature-doc director A.J. Eaton (pictured above with Crosby, center, and Crowe, right). He has been following the singer/songwriter for several years. Also, Crowe has conducted multiple interviews with Crosby in addition to producing the documentary. Crowe previously work in the documenrary space includes writing and directing the musical documentaries “Pearl Jam Twenty (PJ20)” and “The Union,” on the 2011 collaboration between Elton John and Leon Russell.
“It’s just such a compelling story. David Crosby has been near the forefront of music and social change for the last four decades,” Crowe said in a statement, reflecting the singer’s ups and downs over the years, which range from his being a pivotal figure on the 1960s California rock scene to his descent into drug addiction during the 1980s, and his ultimate recovery and career revival. “Now 76, he’s forging a new path by seeking out younger musicians and trying to make a mark in a world now so different from the generation he came to define in the 60’s. It’s a raw and moving portrait, rough edges and all. We’re also so proud of the work being done by our wonderful director A.J. Eaton who’s been filming Croz for the last several years.” Quote Block
This documentary is the latest fore into BMG’s aggressive move into music-related video content stated CEO Hartwig Masuch. Along with a documentary on Joan Jett that premiered in Sundance this year “Bad Reputation,” BMG is also producing documentaries about Marc Bolan and T. Rex, the legendary Jamaican record label Trojan, and another about the agents and promoters who built the rock touring business called “The Show’s the Thing.”
“Be in no doubt: This is a strategic move [for BMG],” Masuch said. “From YouTube to the rise of the music documentary to the increasing emphasis of Spotify and Apple Music on video content, technology is transforming music into a visual medium. These are early days, but increasingly we expect video content to develop into a formidable addition to BMG’s strategic offering to artists and songwriters alongside music publishing and recordings.”