David Crosby took time out to sing the praises of his original partner in Crosby, Stills, & Nash — the great Stephen Stills. Crosby was chatting with Mojo and reflecting back on Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young's 1970 Déjà Vu album, which will be expanded into a deluxe box set edition on May 14th.
When pressed how the group was able to cull the perfect blend of each member for the classic album, Crosby explained, “The songs we liked the best ended up on the record. We would sing each other the songs and it was pretty undeniable. And, y'know, you've got four really good writers, so that's eight songs if you give each guy two songs apiece and if you're going with 10 songs, somebody is going to get and extra song. And when I'm in a band with Stephen Stills, believe me, that extra song should go to him. He was the best guy in the band, man. Best writer, best singer, best player, no contest.”
Although many had hoped that CSNY would have mended the fences in their personal relationships in time for the flurry of 50th anniversaries coming up fast and furious, David Crosby seemed resigned to the fact that people change: “Bands are like marriages, and human beings' lives do not go on parallel paths. We're always either getting closer to each other or getting further away. Always. Bands, when they start out, you're really in love with each other because you love each other's music and the excitement that you're causing and you're thrilled with being in this band. But after 40 years that devolves to 'turn on the smoke machine and play your hits.'”