Songwriter injured in California crash; motorcyclist killed

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (AP) — A singer-songwriter behind the 1969 rock hit "Spirit in the Sky" has been critically injured in a Northern California car accident that killed a motorcyclist.

The Press Democrat in Santa Rosa reported Sunday (http://bit.ly/1BBlH8X ) that 72-year-old Norman Greenbaum wrote and sang the hit song featured in 50 movies and several TV shows.

Sgt. David Derczo of the California Highway Patrol tells the newspaper that Greenbaum, a longtime resident of Santa Rosa, was the passenger of a Subaru Outback on Saturday afternoon that turned left, crossing into the motorcycle's path.

Derczo says the motorcycle's 20-year-old driver, Ihab Usama Halaweh, died at the scene; his passenger was also critically injured.

The newspaper says Greenbaum and the motorcycle passenger are being treated at a hospital.

Officials say the car's driver was not injured; alcohol isn't suspected.

-- (c) Associated Press 2015-03-30

A great song. I hope he pulls through.

stupid song ...but a sad event.... if the song was used in 50 movies he got a good return on it.

Edited March 30, 201511 yr by daoyai

I have not seen any sympathy for the motor cyclist who was killed and one injured in the crash? 'The truck pulled across the bikes path'

A great song. I hope he pulls through.

I liked it too, but talk about a one hit wonder.

Would appear to be the women car drivers fault, RIP and a speedy recover to the two injured persons, Strange how the alleged guilty person walks away uninjured.

A great song from my teens.

Off-topic posts and replies removed.

Sod Greenbaum. Another unneccesary motorcyclist's death. I did'nt see him...

Sod Greenbaum. Another unneccesary motorcyclist's death. I did'nt see him...

Greenbaum was a passenger

Greenbaum is lucky not to be "The Spirit in the Sky"

He is a two hit wonder now

Songwriter? I thought he was a pig farmer these days?

Didn't they have to hunt him down to give him a royalty cheque when a cover hit the charts in the UK?