Stephen Stills
A third of arguably one of the most successful musical partnerships to emerge from the folk-rock movement the '60s, former Buffalo Springfield guitarist Stephen Stills teamed with established players David Crosby of the Byrds and Graham Nash of British band the Hollies in 1968 to form the acoustic-oriented supergroup Crosby Stills and Nash. Drawing elements from their past groups but venturing into totally new territory, the CSN sound was characterized by the trio's unique high harmony vocals and a musical approach that encompassed acoustic folk, melodic pop and hard rock.
With sometime collaborator (and Stills' former compatriot/nemesis in Buffalo Springfield) Neil Young giving uncredited help on the group's self-titled debut, Stills' songwriting and playing help CSN tap into the consciousness of the Woodstock generation with such anthems as "Wooden Ships" and "Long Time Gone." A show-stopping performance at the seminal festival and the equally acclaimed follow-up album Deja Vu (which included Young as an official member) cemented the band as one of the era's favorite acts.
Always acclaimed for his formidable guitar skills, Stills would have a solo career that was second only to Young's prolific output. His eponymous 1970 solo debut included guest performances from Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Cass Elliot, Booker T Jones and Ringo Starr and boasted the hit "Love the One You're With." He would also contribute guitar to other artists' albums (notably Bill Withers' Just As I Am) and joined forces with Young for a single Stills-Young Band effort Long May You Run in 1976.
Though Young has only periodically reunited with Crosby, Stills and Nash (most recently for their sometimes controversial Freedom of Speech Tour in 2006), CSN has weathered Crosby's well-documented drug problems and personal volatility to continue recording new music through the '80s and '90s as well as touring for its loyal fans, occupying much of Stills' time. While he toured and recorded an album with fellow guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd and keyboard player Barry Goldberg as the blues band The Rides a couple of years ago, he comes to the City Winery in Napa to promote his 2013 career-spanning 4-CD box set Carry On.
Stephen Stills
Wednesday, July 29, 8 p.m. $70-$80 (sold out)
City Winery Napa