♫CSN: Folk/Rock Pioneers♫

Some musicians write the songs, others write the music, while few accomplish both. Some feel the music, others read the music, while many accomplish both. There are even those who can't read a note of music yet play, even multiple instruments, and write solely by ear. Single artists take center stage winning the crowd with their own music, as well as that written by others. They themselves even write for other professional entertainers. Back-ups enhance the music that go on to perform successfully on their own. Groups appear, disband, with members of prominent groups coming together to form an entirely new group. The latter is the case for today's spotlight as the music focus shifts from the country scene to a folk rock supergroup.

Today in Music History: June 3

Welcome into the Spotlight...

Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN)

an American-British-Canadian folk rock supergroup made up of David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash. 

Prior to the formation of CSN, each member of the band had belonged to another prominent group. David Crosby played guitar, sang and wrote songs with the Byrds; Stephen Stills had been a guitarist, keyboardist, vocalist and songwriter in the band Buffalo Springfield (which also featured Neil Young); and Graham Nash had been a guitarist, singer and songwriter with the Hollies.

Joni Mitchell plays a song in Cass Elliot's Laurel Canyon backyard while David Crosby and Eric Clapton listen. Cass, a member of the Mamas and Papas, was known as the unofficial "queen of Laurel Canyon" and her home was a refuge for many musicians.
Henry Diltz/Faber & Faber/FGS

1968 At an impromptu gathering at Joni Mitchell's house in Lookout Mountain, Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles, David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash played together for the very first time. That was the beginning, the rest is music history!

  Top 10 Crosby, Stills & Nash Songs

 

David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash helped bridge the ‘60s and ‘70s with their harmonies and songs about peace and love during a time of war. The group formed after the three distinct singer-songwriters parted ways with their former bands: Crosby was in the Byrds, Stills was in Buffalo Springfield and Nash was in the Hollies. Later, Stills’ old bandmate Neil Young joined. They’ve been off and on, in various forms, over the years. Our list of the Top 10 Crosby, Stills & Nash Songs collects cuts from their golden era. [Source: Ultimate Classic Rock]

  From then...

Crosby, Stills & Nash are primarily known for their three-part vocal harmonies
and are strongly associated with the 1969 Woodstock Festival. They are commonly referred to by their initials CSN.

The 12th Annual Grammy Awards were held on March 11, 1970
recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 1969.
 

Best New Artist 

Crosby, Stills & Nash

 'Til...

March 08, 2016: After nearly half a century, Graham Nash has vowed that Crosby, Stills and Nash will never again perform together, effectively bringing to an end one of music’s most fruitful collaborations. In a pair of interviews, Nash revealed that his relationship with David Crosby has deteriorated to the point where the band can no longer exist. Read MORE...

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...