Preview: Crosby, Stills & Nash @ The Orpheum, Memphis, TN (Aug. 20, 2014)

The one and only Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN) will be rockin' the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis tomorrow, Wednesday, August 20, 2014! As the story goes, CSN played only their second gig together at the legendary Woodstock. After that show, the trio exploded, spewing hits right and left, while spreading their socially conscious message. Various forms of the trio have taken shape over the years, including the addition of Neil Young to form CSNY, Crosby-Nash and Stills-Young, but the power of this threesome always seems to bring them back together. Seeing as all three members were in famous bands before the formation of CSN, let's take a look at each member's history, followed by a group synopsis.

CSN Album Cover

 Graham Nash was born in England and, before moving to the United States, was a founding member of The Hollies. The Hollies were a pop band, joining The Beatles and The Rolling Stones in the British Invasion. As Nash grew older, he became fascinated with America. While on tour in the States, he began to meet more socially conscious musicians who were not satisfied with the simplicity of pop music (and who experimented with drugs). Slowly, Nash grew apart from The Hollies and longed for something more. Besides his work with The Hollies and the various forms of the CSN trio, Nash has recorded 5 solo albums.

Graham Nash

David Crosby was born in Los Angeles, California and was a founding member of The Byrds. The Byrds was a folk rock band formed in the mid-1960s. Crosby began to grow apart from his bandmates just as Nash had. In short, he refused to conform and began to act out on stage and refuse to show up for practices and interviews. All things considered, however, he was an integral part of the band's sound, and The Byrds was never the same after Crosby left. Aside from his work with The Byrds and the various forms of the CSN trio, Crosby has recorded 4 solo albums.

David Crosby

Stephen Stills was born in Dallas, Texas and was a founding member of Buffalo Springfield, along with Neil Young. After lineup changes, drug-related arrests and fighting for control plagued the band throughout its short career, Buffalo Springfield disbanded after only 2 years. Besides his work with the various forms of the CSN trio, Stills has had the most successful solo career out of the 3 of them. Stills formed Manassas in 1971, which released 2 studio albums, and he has recorded 9 solo studio albums and 2 live albums. Most recently, Stills was a part of the supergroup The Rides, which recorded a studio album in 2013, along with a supporting tour.

Stephen Stills

The beginnings of the CSN trio can be traced back to one night at Joni Mitchell's house in California in July 1968. The 3 of them sang a 3-part harmony together, the vocals jelled beautifully and the rest is history. The band recorded 5 studio and 2 live albums as CSN and 3 studio and 3 live albums as CSNY (with Neil Young). David Crosby and Graham Nash recorded 4 studio and 2 live albums as Crosby & Nash, and Stephen Stills and Neil Young recorded 1 studio album together as the Stills-Young Band.

As a young man myself, Crosby, Stills & Nash is a band I never thought I would be able to see. Their music has influenced me since as far back as I can remember, and I am so glad they are still touring. Gear up for this one Memphis. It's time to take a ride back in time!

Stephen Stills, David Crosby & Graham Nash