Crosby, Stills, and Nash: The Biography

This revised and updated edition is the third entry of Crosby,Stills & Nash:The Biography. The first edition was published in 1984 and chronicled the early years of CSNY.The prose by Mr.Zimmer and the photos by Mr.Diltz made for compelling reading.Anyone even remotely familiar
with these men and their music knows their history.It has always amazed me that CSNY became legend on the strength of two albums.CROSBY,STILLS AND NASH was released in 1969 right before the summer of Woodstock.Neil Young climbed aboard just before that historic event and the rest is history.DEJA VU came out in late spring of 1970 and it became a classic for the ages.The first edition follows the group up to 1984.The revised edition was published in 1999 and picks up where the first edition left off.Crosby's problems with drug addiction and his short prison stint are written about but not dwelled upon .The second edition ends in 1999 with the release of LOOKING FORWARD (CSNY'S third studio album in 29 years) and on the eve of the CSNY2K tour (their 2nd in 26 years).The 2008
edition would be a rehashing of previous events one would think,but that one would be wrong.So much has happened to both them AND us.There is new insight on Stephen Stills and Judy "Suite:Judy Blue Eyes" Collins that has never been revealed before.It IS an eye opener.CSNY went out touring right after 9-11 and there are a lot of photos from that tour.Then came 2006's FREEDOM OF SPEECH TOUR and THAT is what finally divides the artist and the audience. It is a fascinating read because of the insights Zimmer provides,not all of them of the same viewpoint as the celebated quartet.This 2008 edition is the keeper because
it lays out not only the lives of David Crosby,Stephen Stills,Graham Nash and Neil Young but the lives of their fellow generation (read baby boomers)as well. All four are well into their sixties but their fire has never dwindled. I can't think of any musicians that have put their entire career on the line like these cats have because they've always lived up to "being real".If this latest edition is the last one,it could not have ended on a higher note.Zimmer concludes in the final chapter that there is "no end in sight".Who knows? There may be MORE music to write,MORE songs to be sung and MORE audiences to be thrilled.A majestic American tale...and it is all true.

I truly enjoyed this book. Very well written, tons of information and of course, those great Henry Diltz photos. A keeper, and frankly, the best purchase for the money I've made in a long time. Some of the junk on the web (and even published in other books) is simply false, and very annoying. Nice to read something I can trust, which does NOT mean that Zimmer's reporting is always flattering to his subjects.

This book is a fast read that's for the highly dedicated CSN fan. The author spins a fascinating tale about the formation of the band, weaving a story that delivers the impression of bodies circling ever nearer before finally coming in to contact. The detail and specificity here is impressive.

However, from that point forward the author loses focus on the bigger picture, opting instead for fine details such as the minutia of which personnel played what gigs on specific dates. I'm a liner notes junkie and absorbed this without hesitation. But the bigger picture issues are glossed over with only brief mention, leaving the reader expected to accept this.

CSN has always been a band that faced big picture issues - big success, perhaps big egos, big triumphs and equally big losses. This book would benefit from delving in to these issues that defined the history of the band.

For example, there is a brief and passing mention of Crosby having trouble with the IRS before CSN even formed. No reason or elaboration is given despite the way this type of trouble would continue to hound the man for years to come. The ongoing tensions between members of the band are plainly stated but supported by no real depth of analysis or even simple reasons. At one point Neil Young splits on Stills in the middle of a tour and we get little comment on the reasons or the impact. We do get a list of the cities they played, however.

Despite this lack of detail on the important things the book is still a very enjoyable read. The author is clearly friendly with the band and I don't necessarily agree with other reviewers' suggestions that it's entirely objective. But the book clips along at a good pace, never grows dull or tedious, and serves as a constant reminder of why CSN is one of the best bands in rock and roll history.

Crosby, Stills, & Nash: The Biography is the definitive work on this legendary musical trio. This is an excellent read providing great insight into the behind-the-scenes lives of three iconic musicians of the early and modern era of rock and roll. I like the way Zimmer maintains a cohesive timeline by tracing the individual member's personal activities and influences within a short time frame, then moving on to corresponding events in the next time frame. Its a bit complicated but makes great sense. After reading this book one gains a much greater appreciation for the unique and masterful contributions David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash have made to the vast world of Rock, blues, and related musical genre.
No story of CSN would be complete without including the various encounters and contributions made by Neil Young. Zimmer does a most impressive job of including Young's story and the way he changed the complexion of the overall musical tone of the group yet without compromising the integrity of his partners.

David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash were individually masterful musicians in their own right. Seldom do three such talented and creative personalities succeed in working together for any length of time. Zimmer reveals how this combination worked, how their philosophy of sharing the stage and granting enough strokes for everyone's ego, and the challenges inherent with such an undertaking manages to play out over the course of more than four decades. It wasn't easy, as Zimmer is quick to show. And at times the union failed. But ultimately, Crosby, Stills, and Nash had enough respect for each other and sufficient wisdom to realize that they were even greater together than they would ever be on their own. Those who have been inspired by their music and their message remain grateful for their vision.

Enjoyed the book, even know some of the people in it.

Very interesting story of brilliant musicians and songwriters ability to work as a team to make iconic late '60's and '70's music and yet be able to separate occasionally to create on their own. Detailed and revealing personality studies of Crosby, Stills, Nash (and Young), which shows how different they were and what a marvel it was that they could blend together and make such fabulous music. True spiritual brothers! Tons of photos from each era by a photographer who traveled with them and knew them well. An author who knew them personally and was their friend. I loved the book!

This excellent book describes in great detail the emergence and full history of this all star group whose sum certainly exceeded its parts, outstanding as each of them were. The story is told with an insider's viewpoint and is filled with never before seen pictures during the careers of the four members of CSNY. The highlights and the warts of their professional careers to date are laid out as one long and captivating story. Very highly recommended, especially if you have read the Laurel Canyon books that describe the late 60s and early 70s in the same delicious detail.

I turned 16 during the summer of love ('67). Played my first gig when I was 14. If music is in your blood and the Buffalo Springfield, Hollies, Byrds, or a multitude of other groups was any part of your growing up in the 60's, this book is worth the time. It is extremely detailed and at times may seem boring or redundant-- but gives a behind-the-scenes, inside view of the personal relationships and problems/benefits that go along with the territory and is actually a smooth read. I've read all the books that everyone has written on this stuff---but still came away with some new insight on CSNY---- and especially the individual players that made the group. Definitely worth it and I'll read it again.

Enjoyed the biographies of the group members and the making of the early albums. Later history of repeated fighting, breakups, drug abuse and regrouping were tedious.

At one point years ago, I likely had one of the best "Libraries" of Rock Biographies and Autobiographies of the 60's through the 80's. I purchased the Original First Printing of this Book way back when, and the Updated/Expanded version some years later.

Zimmer Writes and Organizes a very Entertaining Read culled from the many Interviews he did with CS&N and their Peripheral Players. It's Lively and occasionally quite Telling when the Participants cut to the bone with their honesty, usually a result of Self-Deprecating or Cocky, Pompous statements by some of the Participants - usually the Entertaining and Drugged-Out-At-The-Time, Crosby.

Crosby's Stoned and Addicted Pompous Ego is always Intelligent and Amusing, to say the least. Stills and Nash are a bit more reserved, cautious and circumspect in terms of their Egos, but seemingly very forthcoming about their personal experiences. Some of the best parts are the Three Players independently telling their personal remembrances of the exact same Same story that is obviously remembered quite differently by each member.

Definitely worth the read.