Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young | Artist
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young aka CSN&Y was an American vocal folk rock supergroup formed 1969 in Los Angeles by David Crosby (vocal, guitar), Stephen Stills (vocal, guitar), Graham Nash (vocal, guitar), and Neil Young (vocal, guitar). The trio of Crosby, Stills & Nash had already existed from the previous year and released their eponymous album. The addition of Neil Young gave the trio another dimension in their vocal harmonies, guitar sound, and access to Young's superb songwriting skills. David Crosby was formerly with the Byrds up until 1967. Stephen Stills was formerly with Buffalo Springfield, along with Canadian Neil Young. Englishman Graham Nash had formerly been with The Hollies, before relocating the the USA. With the addition of touring members Dallas Taylor (drums) and Greg Reeves (bass), CSN&Y gave their first major public performance at the Woostock festival in August 1969. The band's first album Déjà Vu reached number one on several international charts in 1970. It remains their best-selling album, selling more than eight million copies and producing the hit singles "Woodstock", "Teach Your Children", and "Our House". The group's second tour, which produced the live double album 4 Way Street (1971), was fraught with arguments between Young and Taylor, which resulted in Taylor being replaced by John Barbata. At the end of the tour they disbanded, but reunited several times, sometimes with Young, and released three studio and two live albums. In addition to Déjà Vu and 4 Way Street, the 2014 archival release CSNY 1974 is also recommended. The magic of CSN&Y was there impeccable vocal harmonies interwoven with the guitar artistry of Crosby, Stills and Young. Each member was also a consumate songsmith, contributing equally to their albums and live set list. Their sound combined with their counterculture attitude and politically outspoken lyrics, made CSN&Y the clarion voice of American folk-rock at the cusp of the Sixties-Seventies decades. Their collective abilities allowed CSNY to straddle all the genres of popular music eminent at the time, from country rock to confessional ballads, from acoustic guitars and voice to electric guitar, and three-part harmony. With the Beatles' break-up made public by April 1970, and with Bob Dylan in reclusive low-key activity since mid-1966, CSNY found themselves the adopted standard bearers for the Woodstock Nation, serving an importance in society as counterculture figureheads. Such was their standing in 1970 that promoter Bill Graham referred to them as "The American Beatles."
Artist Website: csny.com
Featured Albums: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Related Artists: Crosby Stills & Nash, David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, Neil Young
