Whats it like documenting the history of a band whose members often have wildly differing recollections about crucial events?
They couldnt even agree when they first got together, says Browne.
Thats the perfect example.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young perform on stage at Wembley Stadium in London on Sept. 14, 1974 (L-R Stephen Stills, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Neil Young).Credit: Michael Putland/Getty Images
[Laughs] Whenever they get together, or even separately, they still debate that.
That really set the tone in a way of the next fifty years.
One of my older sisters had their records.
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When she moved away from home, she took them all with her.
My older sistertookall the good records.
So, I had to replace them, andDeja VuandCrosby, Stills & Nashwere two of those.
It was so unique.
Maybe we kind of forget that after so much time.
But they really were such a distinctive band and didnt really sound like anybody else before that.
It was kind of shocking to me.
That was their whole party line from the beginning.
Were going to break all the rules.
Well make solo albums if we want.
Their whole thing was, Were going to change the rules of rock and roll.
In a way, that has been, for better or worse, the running thread for fifty years.
There really hasnt been a saga quite like that, I think, in history.
And its had its ups and downs, for sure musically as well.
Its fascinating how the relationships within the band have changed over time.
Thats something thats always fascinated me too.
When you see them in concert it is like crashing somebodys Thanksgiving dinner and observing, okay whats happeningnow?
Who is and whoisntgetting along?
[Laughs] And then they would write songs about each other.
They were putting it out there in a way that you just werent supposed to do.
Did you have the same experience writing it?Yeah, I think so.
Theyd have a go at make a record and dissolve into arguments as he was watching.
And you almost feel bad for Crosby during his addiction.
Its tragic, but amazing that hes still alive after all these years.
Its like, God, its amazing they stuck with it as long as they did sometimes.
I mean, there were moments I thought, God, why didnt they just end it in 1984?
It was such a headache.
But then again it was their best form of income, you know.
[Laughs] Thats just one of those crazy factoids.
I think most people are familiar with the big CSN and CSN&Y albums.
CrosbysIf I Could Only Remember My Namehas become kind of a cult classic.
