Graham Nash, one third of the legendary Crosby, Stills and Nash, may just have finally had enough of their amazing harmonizing. After almost fifty years of working with Stephen Stills and David Crosby, the long English born Nash finds has finally reached a breaking point. In an interview with the Dutch magazine Lust For Life, Nash said, “You asked me if there’s more of CSN? My answer is ‘no,’ and that’s very sad, because we’re pretty good… But I am currently not so fond of David Crosby. He treated me horrible the past two years. Really, really awful… Forty-five years I’ve been there for him to save his ******* ass, but he treats me like I’m dirt.”
Formed from the ashes of Buffalo Springfield, The Hollies and The Byrds, CSN was born by an impromptu sing-a-long at the home of Joni Mitchell. The trio of vocalists, as well as all in earshot, were amazed by the achingly beautiful blend of voices. Through their storied career, their lyrical topics ranged from the polarizing politics of the power of hope and love. Backstage, however, it was rarely a love fest. David Crosby had been fired from The Byrds in 1967 over personality conflicts, and his tenure in CSN has been marked with similar issues, particularly with one time member Neil Young. In 2014, Crosby made remarks about Young’s new wife, Daryl Hannah, calling her a “…purely poisonous predator.”
At the beginning of that most recent spat between Crosby and Young, Nash was still hopeful of a CSNY reunion, saying, “You can never say never in this business.” But apparently, somewhere over the last two years, that attitude has changed. It’s ironic that three vocalists who can achieve such a perfect balance in song on stage can’t get along anywhere else.
While we patiently hope time manages to heal these wounds, let’s remember why we love CSN so much with a couple of songs from their career making Woodstock appearance, Marrakesh Express and Blackbird.
[H/T Ultimate Classic Rock, Photo by Eleanor Stills]