"The Needle and the Damage Done '' is a song by Neil Young that describes the destruction caused by the heroin addiction of musicians he knew. Though not specifically about him, the song was inspired by the heroin addiction of his friend and Crazy Horse bandmate Danny Whitten. It previews the theme of the Tonight 's the Night album that reflects Young 's grief over the heroin overdose and death of both Whitten and Bruce Berry, a roadie for Young and Crazy Horse.
who was the needle and the damage done written about
Danny Whitten