The musician David Crosby thought was out of everybody’s league: “Goddamn genius”
Three years into playing for The Byrds, David Crosby was kicked out of the band, but he landed on his feet and went on to produce Joni Mitchell’s debut album, first, and second, formed the legendary supergroup Crosby, Stills, & Nash, alongside Stephen Stills and Graham Nash, who had come from Buffalo Springfield and The Hollies, respectively.
It’s already evident that Crosby met a lot of iconic musicians over his time, delving into the world of jazz and collaborating with the likes of Wynton Marsalis and Snarky Puppy, while also playing in guest spots with some of the greats, such as Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, and Jimi Hendrix, showing that the chips just kept falling into place.
In this, one wonders if he could ever pick a favourite, or form a hierarchy, for surely, at that level of greatness, the talent would fade into one long, monotonous buzz? Well, not quite, as there was one musician who stood out to Crosby, and darn it if it wasn’t one of his closest friends.
Stephen Stills holds the unique trophy for being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice on the same night for two different groups, and everyone, including the critics and Crosby, acknowledged that he was great, so when asked by Rolling Stone to explain his connection with Stephen (with Stills present, mind you), he gushed, “Stephen has been a big part of my life, man, for the last three years”.
The 1970 interview continued, “The cat came over to my house and played one evening with me, and it was very clear to me that he was a stoned goddamn genius. And I don’t know whether anybody else knew it then, but I was firmly convinced of it. He plays rings around everybody.”
As if the interviewer didn’t quite believe the hyperbolic nature of this claim, he doubled down: “Everybody! He plays everything better than anybody. So, I wanted to hang out with him”, and we all know what happened next, proving that sometimes, it can really be as simple as that.
Then, in his deadpan, easy-going cadence, Crosby reflected on how their friendship gradually blossomed, noting, “Well, Stephen and I hung out, and hung out, and we made some demo tapes and played ’em for Atlantic and Atlantic said, ‘Sure, kid. I’ll buy that'”.
Stills isn’t exactly a household name, but I’m willing to bet you’ve heard the sweet melodies of his guitar in your time, whether you’re aware of it or not, for famously, the musician played on the beloved Bill Withers track, ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’.
Of course, the track is well-known for the rounded, deep vocals and the refrain, “Anytime she goes away”, but underneath the guitar keeps everything together, like butter on bread, honey on porridge, or a smooch on the lips.
