Every journalist knows that each story he or she tackles has the potential to be Rashomon-like, but the saga of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young takes that prospect to a new level. Not only is the tale inordinately tangled, but after five-plus decades, everyone who participated in it has his or her own slightly different take on what happened and when. Ferreting out the truth—or something close to it—was challenging, but also, I have to admit, a lot of fun.
For their time, let me first thank Graham Nash and David Crosby, who graciously agreed to be dragged through this story and tolerated my questions and follow-ups. My gratitude also to Amy Grantham and Jan Crosby for allowing me into their homes in order to grill their respective partners.
Despite several inquiries, I was, unfortunately, not able to speak with either Stephen Stills or Neil Young for this project. According to his camp, Stephen is at work on his memoir and prefers to save his memories for that book. I wish him all the best and look forward to his telling of this tale, which should be fascinating. I’ve done my best to communicate their points of view by integrating interviews with fellow writers and associates, and I hope I’ve adequately captured their states of mind at particular moments in this story. I certainly never lost my admiration for their talent along the way.
In terms of secondary interviews, Bill Halverson, Bill Siddons, Joe Vitale and Ken Weiss were especially giving of their time and helped fill in many blanks. For their insights and recollections, I’d like to thank, in alphabetical order, Ron and Howard Albert, Stephen Barncard, Bill Bentley, Niko Bolas, Calli Cerami, Mike Cerre, Allan Clarke, Alex Coletti, Judy Collins, Jessi Colter, Chad Cromwell, Lillian Davis, John Ferrugia, Greg Fischbach, Arthur Fogel, Tim Foster, Joel Gallen, Felix Giachetti, Danny Goldberg, Glenn Goodwin, Bobby Hammer, Mickey Hart, John Hartmann, Bruce Hensal, Jim Keltner, Howie Klein, Jim Koplik, Jay Landers, Michael Lang, James Mazzeo, Roger McGuinn, Debbie Meister, Bob Merlis, Leslie Morris, Bob Mosley, Mark Naftalin, Chris O’Dell, John Partipilo, Al Perkins, George Perry, Jeff Pevar, Franco and Maureen Pietoso, Jerry Pompili, Steve “Smokey” Potts, David Pullman, Dave Rao, Aaron Rapoport, Stacia Raymond, David Rensin, Susan Rogers, Sally Mann Romano, Salli Sachse, Vicki Samuels, Rowland Scherman, John Sebastian, Ron Shapiro, Bill Siddons, Leland Sklar, Michael Stergis, Ron Stone, Bill Szymczyk, Michael Tannen, John Vanderslice, Jimmy Wachtel, Waddy Wachtel, Mason Wilkinson and the late, amazing Pegi Young. All helped clarify and elaborate on this saga, and I’m grateful for their time.
Several sources spoke with me only on background, and I thank them for their assistance as well.
Four books in, Ben Schafer at Da Capo Press remains as enthusiastic and emboldening as always. Thank you to Michael Pietsch, who not only fully supported this project but doubly impressed me with his reference to “The Lee Shore” in one of our first emails about this book. My agent Erin Hosier of Dunow, Carlson & Lerner—and Young, as I sometimes like to add—fought the good fight as always and offered guidance and encouragement along the way. Thanks also to Justin Lovell at Da Capo for helping out with various vital duties.
A number of fellow writers and historians offered advice, tips and transcripts. I’ll start with Dave Zimmer, whose groundbreaking Crosby, Stills & Nash: The Biography I absorbed during train commutes to my first job back in 1984. Despite the thought of another writer diving into this terrain, Dave was gracious and accommodating, even allowing me to cart off his vast archives of clippings and memorabilia on loan. Dave, who knows as much about this story as anyone on the planet, was also kind enough to read through my manuscript and catch more than a few factual glitches.
Joel Bernstein’s dedication to the CSNY cause is indisputable, and I thank him for allowing me to pick his brain and logbooks to ensure chronological accuracy. A shout-out as well to Henry Diltz for his research help in the past, and to Stefano Frollano for sharing his own archival research into the group’s recording dates.
My Rolling Stone colleagues Andy Greene, David Fricke, Patrick Doyle and Brian Hiatt were kind enough to share story notes, transcripts and insights, and I can’t thank them enough for their generosity (especially Andy, my comrade in CSNY dissection and scrutiny). Thanks to Robert Greenfield for his insights (and script!). For feedback, contact information and sundry tips, shout-outs to Steve Silberman, David Fear, Joel Peresman, Sheila Weller, Fred Goodman, Greil Marcus, Steve Knopper, Justin Kreutzmann, Martin Porter, David Yaffe, Michaelangelos Matos, Jesse Jarnow, Michael Deeds, Bill Flanagan and Daniela Tijerina. My sister Colette Browne and her husband, Howard McPherson, filled me in on aspects of Hawaiian history from their many years there. Meredith Rutledge-Borger and Jennie Thomas at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame helped with document excavation.
Thank you to everyone at Rolling Stone, especially Jann S. Wenner, Jason Fine and Christian Hoard, for their support and for allowing me the extra time to work on this project.
Thanks to Michael Jensen, who warned me about the challenges in tackling a book on this topic but never deterred me. For their help in connecting me with important sources, thank you to Carrie Davis at Live Nation, Katherine DePaul, Michelle Gutenstein, Rob Krauser, Camilla McGuinn, Connie Bonner Mosley, Maureen Raffety, Rose Solomon, Mark Spector and Brittnee Walker at BMI.
Kathy Heintzelman and Katherine Streckfus sharpened, tightened and improved my manuscript with exceptional skill. Many thanks to Christine Marra for making all the trains run on time. Corinne Cummings came to my fact-checking rescue and saved me from several embarrassments, and Breanne Springfield ably and swiftly transcribed interview tapes. Deb Dragon excavated all the photos you’re seeing inside. Doug Silver helped me navigate through tempo changes, time signatures and other musical notations. For additional tips and pointers, thank you to Barry Ollman, David Gernert, David Silver, Francesco Lucarelli and Ron Simon. Shout-outs to Jeff Ogden at the Admiral Farragut Academy and Michelle Zarin, Bob Edwards and Tom Scott, all formerly of the Record Plant.
As always, many, many hugs and my love to Maggie and Maeve for tolerating the nonstop Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young music around the house for over two years (even Trans, Mags!). Their love, humor and strength inspired me daily, especially during a particularly difficult stretch of time in the early stages of this book. They truly helped me carry on.