August 12, 2024
We at Letters To You were very saddened to learn that Charles R. "Charley" Cross died last Friday. He was only 67 years old, and died in his sleep of natural causes. In 1980, Charley founded Backstreets Magazine - the premier Springsteen fanzine that eventually grew into a great fan website, too. Charley was Backstreets' first Editor/Publisher from 1980 through 1997, at which point Chris Phillips took over the Editor position with Charley's blessings, while Charley shifted his focus to pursuing many of his other important projects. A few years later, Charley agreed to hand over the Backstreets publishing reins to Chris, as well, though Charley always remained a key member and advisor of the Backstreets editorial team throughout the magazine/website's entire run, from 1980 through early 2023, at which time Backstreets ceased all regular operations.
Charley also served as editor/publisher of The Rocket, Seattle's important music and entertainment magazine, from 1986 to 2000. It was during this time, of course, that The Rocket became the first publication to feature and support Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, and many of the other key bands and figures in what would become the highly important and influential 1990s Seattle scene.
In addition, Charley went on to write nine books, many of which were focused on major Seattle and Washington-based musicians such as Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix, and the Wilson sisters of Heart. Upon learning of Charley's passing, esteemed Los Angeles Times music critic Robert Hilburn tweeted that Charley's Cobain biography Heavier Than Heaven is "high on my short-list of best music biographies ever."
On a much more personal note, I just want to express publicly how deeply indebted and appreciative I feel towards Charley and the role he played in building, sustaining, and supporting everything that Backstreets, my former "stomping grounds," became. I fondly recall first corresponding with him by mail in the 1980s as just another Backstreets subscriber and fellow Springsteen fanatic, and he couldn't have been kinder or more supportive, accessible, and down-to-Earth. As the years went by, I began writing regularly for both the magazine and the website. By that time, Charley's activities with Backstreets were mainly in an advisory/behind-the-scenes capacity, and as a writer I usually dealt much more directly with Chris Phillips as the formal editor/publisher. Nevertheless, I still treasure a 2019 email message I received from Charley that read in part, "Hope you’re well over there and thanks for all your contributions... Cheers, Charles." It meant so very much to me then, and means even more now, of course.
It's no big secret that I also had some strong disagreements with Charley regarding some Springsteen-related matters, especially in later years. But disagreements like that often can arise when you're dealing with someone else who cares as deeply and passionately about the music and career of Bruce Springsteen, what it means, why it's so important, etc., as you do. And regardless of any or even all of those differences, it always remained clear to me just how strong and passionate a fellow Springsteen fan Charley Cross was. In that sense, he still remained very much a friend and a mentor to me. Still does, actually. So much of what I and others have learned from Charley Cross over the years, the legacy of high standards that he provided to so many of his fellow Springsteen fans, is embedded in what Letters To You strives for and in how we aim to continue covering Springsteen's artistry... what we'll do and what we won't, in other words.
So thanks a million for all of that, Charley. Rest in peace, brother, and our deepest condolences to all of your loved ones. "Cheers, Charles."
More on the passing of Charles R. Cross:
Variety: "Charles R. Cross, Music Journalist Who Wrote Heralded Kurt Cobain Biography and Edited Seattle’s Alt-Weekly The Rocket, Dies at 67"
Official statement from the Backstreets Magazine editorial team, posted on the Backstreets Magazine Facebook page
[Note: Springsteen also made a similar statement onstage during his August 18 Pittsburgh concert with the E Street Band, dedicating that night's performance of "Backstreets" to Charley.]
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