“Entitled Wild Tales: A Rock & Roll Life,” the legendary singer-songwriter, now 71, goes behind the scenes on a career that spans nearly 50 years of rock and roll.
Nash’s music defined a generation. As a founding member of the Hollies, Crosby, Stills & Nash and in his solo career, he’s written more than 200 songs, including classic hits such as “Carrie Anne,” “On a Carousel,” “Simple Man,” “Our House,” “Marrakesh Express,” and “Teach Your Children.”
He is a two-time inductee into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
From the opening salvos of the British rock revolution in 1964 to Woodstock in 1969, Nash helped chart the counter-culture’s rise and defined the ’70s with Crosby Stills & Nash. Neil Young later joined the band in a not-so-happy marriage.
It’s a rare artist who has managed to leave such a long and lasting imprint on the history of rock, and he continues to tour extensively with CSN, Crosby & Nash, and as a solo artist.
Personally, I always admired Nash’s knack for diplomacy. He kept the obviously inflamed egos of Crosby, Stills and Young at bay during a tumultuous time in pop music. He always seemed like the peacemaker, for better or worse.
We also loved 1971’s Songs For Beginners album with the tracks “Military Madness” and “Better Days.” His 1973 album Wild Tales and the somewhat overlooked Earth & Sky in 1980 were also standouts.
His 2002 album Songs For Survivors was pretty good too; especially his haunting track “Lost Another One,” about too many music stars who have passed on.
I’ll never forget in 1980, I was at a TV show in Florida, when he and Crosby turned up to be interveiwed. Crosby couldn’t have been more curmudgeonly, but Nash, sharp as ever, was a joy to talk to. Great writer, great singer, good guy.
Nash’s ace-PR mouthpiece Michael Jensen is setting up an exclusive interview with XM’s Brett Winterble; It should be terrific.
The memoir will be out Sept. 17. You can pre-order it now on amazon.com by clicking the link to the left.
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