Barlow, who died in 2018 at the age of 70, was known for many things. He was a self-proclaimed junior songwriter of the Grateful Dead, an Internet proselyte, co-founder of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and a nonpareil networker. Not to mention a key figure in the early days of WIRED. He was also one of the closest friends of the so-called an American prince, the son of our martyred president. The friendship was no secret – Barlow was a habitual name-dropper. Still, the connection was fascinating and said something about both parties.
Contact was established in the summer of 1977. Barlow was tending his family ranch in Pinedale, Wyoming, when Jackie Kennedy called at the suggestion of a mutual friend. As Barlow wrote in his posthumously published autobiography: Mother American NightJackie wanted her 17-year-old son, JFK Jr., to experience the scratchy ranch life. Barlow, in his story, said yes and enhanced the teenager’s responsibilities on the ranch with LSD. Some of the things they did while dispensing included long trips in Barlow’s truck and dumping explosives into gas wells. They became close, and over the years Barlow went from being a condemned father to being more of a friend.
It was a lifelong relationship. Barlow writes about attending a 1993 Prince concert with Kennedy, during which the two once again breathed a sigh of relief. Kennedy found the audience too reserved and urged Barlow to get up and dance. As Barlow writes, the entire Radio City Music Hall joined him. Later, when Barlow met Cynthia, the two went on a double date with Kennedy and his then-girlfriend, Daryl Hannah. After the night I spent with Barlow and Kennedy, Hannah flew to Fresh York and helped plan the posthumous memorial service. She seemed like a lovely person.
In 1994, Kennedy left Hannah and courted the charismatic Carolyn Bessette. Barlow became a confidante to his friend’s recent lover and even attended the ceremony at their intimate 1996 wedding. One photo shows Barlow preparing for formalities with JFK Jr., Ted Kennedy and a priest. I don’t know what Barlow said to honor the pair, but I imagine the lyricist who wrote “Estimated Prophet” delivered pointed words that combined comedy and insight.
IN Mother American NightBarlow offers an alternative explanation for why Kennedy’s Cessna took off at sunset, resulting in a night flight that culminated in the death of the man as well as his wife and her sister. Barlow claims he has just sent his 2,500 closest friends the news that his mother has died. He says Kennedy was behind schedule at the airport because he was writing a long e-mail of condolences to Barlow. Apart from the reasons for the behind schedule start, Barlow claims that he had previously given Kennedy a warning that was ultimately ignored: “When you lose sight of the horizon, don’t look for it. Just keep your eyes on the instrument and believe in it.”