Neil Young Pens Tribute to Late Manager Elliot Roberts

Elliot Roberts, the iconic artist manager who guided the careers of Tom Petty, Joni Mitchell, Devo, and many others, has died. Now, Roberts’ close friend and long-time client Neil Young has penned a heartfelt tribute to Roberts on his online archives website.

“We are all heartbroken, but want to share what a great human being Elliot has been,” Young wrote in the letter. “Never one to think about himself, he put everyone else first. That’s what he did for me for over fifty years of friendship love and laughter, managing my life, protecting our art in the business of music. That’s what he did.”

Young went on to say that Elliot “never thought of himself, always someone else,” adding, “He was my best friend in the world for so many years, and he was so happy for me and the life I had found, with Daryl [Hannah], my wonderful wife and soul sharer.”

Read Young’s letter below, and find the full tribute, complete with photos of Roberts, on Neil Young’s website.

Roberts began managing Young back in 1969, and they maintained their professional relationship up through the present day. In 2012, Young wrote of Roberts in his biography Waging Heavy Peace. “Just as I wake up every day with a new idea, he wakes up every day with a new approach to solving the problems that arise with the projects I am already immersed in. There are a lot of them. This is our pattern.”

Neil Young on Elliot Roberts:

My friend for over 50 years, Elliot Roberts, has passed away. We are all heartbroken, but want to share what a great human being Elliot has been. Never one to think about himself, he put everyone else first. That’s what he did for me for over fifty years of friendship love and laughter, managing my life, protecting our art in the business of music. That’s what he did.

He was devoted to each of his kids from the very beginning. He would fly half way around the world just to see his family for one day. That’s just the way he loved them. He was so happy with his soul-mate Dana.

No matter where I was in the world, no matter his other obligations, he was always by the side of the stage as much as he could be.

Elliot was the funniest human being on earth with his uncanny wit and a heart filled with love. You never knew what he was going to say, but almost always a laugh was coming.

Elliot never thought of himself, always someone else. He was my best friend in the world for so many years, and he was so happy for me and the life I had found, with Daryl [Hannah], my wonderful wife and soul sharer.

All the words in the world could not express my sense of love and thanks to Elliot Rabinowitz and his beautiful family, who adored him. He was there for all of us.

When it came to our business, Elliot guided me through every move. Often I would call him multiple times in a day, arguing, discussing, planning and sharing. He was there for me and protected my music with a fierceness. He loved music and managed over the years many greats, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, David Blue, Tracey Chapman, Tegan and Sara, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Tom Petty, the Eagles, among others.

Elliot loved making deals for all of us, saving our publishing rights, ensuring we were treated well, helping book our concerts, as well as booking the Bridge Concert with Marsha Vlasssic from the very beginning for over 30 years. He made it happen. This world is forever changed for me, for all who knew him and loved him. His memory shines with love.