Malden-Born "Spirit In The Sky" Singer Injured In Traffic Accident

Image cred: a screengrab of footage from the scene of the accident, via NBC News

It’s been quite a while since 72-year-old Norman Greenbaum attended Congregation Beth Israel School in Malden. Nonetheless, the Santa Rosa, California singer/songwriter and self-described “one hit wonder” credited with the 1969 hit “Spirit In The Sky” surely qualifies as a Malden celebrity, and is reported to be in critical condition.

The Associated Press reports that Greenbaum, who fled the East Coast for California in the ‘60s, was the passenger in a Subaru Outback that slammed into a motorcycle in Santa Rosa on Saturday afternoon. The accident killed the motorcyclist, and seriously injured both Greenbaum and a passenger on the motorcycle.

According to the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat, police say the accident was caused when the motorcyclist neglected to adhere to a yield sign.

The driver of the Outback escaped the accident without injuries according to NBC, which also notes that “Spirit In The Sky” is a double-platinum single that’s been licensed for dozens-upon-dozens of commercials, TV shows, and films.