Neil Young has published a heartfelt letter on the loss of his longtime manager, Elliot Roberts, who died Friday morning at the age of 76.
“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,” the singer-songwriter wrote Saturday of the legendary music manager.
“Never one to think about himself, he put everyone else first,” Young said of Roberts (born Elliot Rabinowitz). “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 continued: “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.”
Young went on in his tribute: “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.”
Young further recalled how, as the “greatest manager of all time,” Roberts “guided me through every move” in his career and “protected my music with a fierceness.” He signed off with, “See you at the gig, Elliot.”
Read his full letter on the Neil Young Archives website.
This story first appeared on Billboard.com.
