To Live's to Fly : The Ballad of the Late, Great Townes Van Zandt

At last, the authorized biography of Townes Van Zandt (1944-1997), who wrote such unforgettable songs as “Pancho & Lefty” and “If I Needed You.” Born to a wealthy oil family in Ft. Worth, Texas, hounded by alcoholism and depression, Van Zandt pursued a nomadic existence following his muse, whatever the cost to himself, friends, and relatives. Based on exclusive interviews with those close to Van Zandt, including his best friend Guy Clark and colleagues like Steve Earle and John Prine, To Live’s to Fly captures all the humor, hijinks, poetry, and heartbreak of this revered, genuinely outlaw country artist. [A] fully authorized biography of singer-songwriter-guitarist Townes Van Zandt (1944-1997), who wrote such classic songs as "If I Needed You" and "Waitin' 'round to Die." Born to a wealthy oil family in Ft. Worth, hounded by alcoholism and unshakable depression, Van Zandt pursued an often nomadic existence on the fringes of society. Along the way, he composed a striking body of work simultaneously heartbreaking in its beauty and terrifying in its willingness to go to the darkest of places. His songs were covered by such artists as Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard (who scored a No. 1 hit duetting on Van Zandt's signature tune "Pancho and Lefty"). Emmylou Harris, Bob Dylan, Doc Watson, Nanci Griffith, the Cowboy Junkies, Tindersticks, and Mudhoney. John Kruth has interviewed nearly everyone who was close to Townes Van Zandt, including his best friend, songwriter Guy Clark; musical colleagues like Steve Earle, John Prince, Rodney Crowell, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and Jerry Jeff Walker; as well as his ex-wives and children. What emerges is the portrait of a tremendously intelligent and charismatic man with a warm sense of humor and a generous nature ... and an unstoppable inclination toward self-destruction. Van Zandt lived life on his own terms - and died of a heart attack on New Year's Day ...-Dust jacket Annotation At last, the authorized biography of Townes Van Zandt (1944-1997), who wrote such unforgettable songs as "Pancho & Lefty" and "If I Needed You." Born to a wealthy oil family in Ft. Worth, Texas, hounded by alcoholism and depression, Van Zandt pursued a nomadic existence following his muse, whatever the cost to himself, friends, and relatives. Based on exclusive interviews with those close to Van Zandt, including his best friend Guy Clark and colleagues like Steve Earle and John Prine, To Live's to Fly captures all the humor, hijinks, poetry, and heartbreak of this revered, genuinely outlaw country artist At last, the authorized biography of Townes Van Zandt (1944-1997), who wrote such unforgettable songs as Pancho & Lefty and If I Needed You. Born to a wealthy oil family in Ft. Worth, Texas, hounded by alcoholism and an unshakable depression, Van Zandt pursued a nomadic existence following his muse, whatever the cost to himself, friends, and family. Based on exclusive interviews with everyone who knew Van Zandt, including his best friend Guy Clark and colleagues like Steve Earle and John Prine, To Lives To Fly is a compelling portrait of a complex, haunted artist. At Last, The Authorized Biography Of Van Zandt, Who Wrote Such Unforgettable Songs As Pancho & Lefty And If I Needed You. Born To A Wealthy Oil Family In Texas, Hounded By Alcoholism And An Unshakable Depression, Van Zandt Pursued A Nomadic Existence. This Book Is A Compelling Portrait Of A Complex, Haunted Artist. John Kruth. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 299-310) And Index. The first biography of the elusive musician who influenced an entire generation of country songwriters as his tragic life became the stuff of legend