Danny Ray Whitten was born on May 8, 1943, in Columbus, Georgia. His early life was marked by his parents' separation and a move to Canton, Ohio, after his mother remarried. Whitten's musical journey began with the doo-wop group Danny and the Memories, which eventually evolved into The Psyrcle and then The Rockets, a folk-psychedelic rock band. The Rockets released a self-titled album in 1968, which did not achieve commercial success.

Whitten gained prominence as the original leader and focal point of the band Crazy Horse, which he formed with Billy Talbot and Ralph Molina after meeting Neil Young. Whitten played a significant role in Young's album "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere," contributing to tracks like "Cinnamon Girl," "Down by the River," and "Cowgirl in the Sand." Despite his musical talent, Whitten struggled with heroin addiction, which began as a way to cope with rheumatoid arthritis.

His addiction led to his dismissal from Crazy Horse during the recording of Young's "After the Gold Rush." Neil Young wrote "The Needle and the Damage Done" about Whitten's decline. Whitten was invited to join Young's new touring band, The Stray Gators, but his inability to perform due to his addiction led to his dismissal. Tragically, on November 18, 1972, Whitten died from a heroin overdose in Los Angeles at the age of 29. His death profoundly affected Neil Young, inspiring the album "Tonight's the Night." Whitten is remembered for his songwriting, particularly the song "I Don't Want to Talk About It," later covered by artists like Rod Stewart.