Crosby, Stills & Nash - CBS West 57th profile - 1987

Explosive interview into the inner-workings of CSN in the late 1980s. Volatile, to say the least....
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
West 57th
Running time 60 minutes, including commercials
Broadcast
Original channel CBS
Original run August 13, 1985 -- September 9, 1989
West 57th was a newsmagazine series which aired on CBS from August 13, 1985, through September 9, 1989. Thought by Don Hewitt to be the younger rival of 60 Minutes, he campaigned internally against the show. West 57th originally premiered as a summer series, and took its name from the New York address of the CBS Broadcast Center. The original correspondents were Jane Wallace, Bob Sirott, Meredith Vieira, and John Ferrugia. Later contributors included Steve Kroft, Selina Scott, Karen Burnes, and Stephen Schiff.
The style of the program was intended to use the contemporary tools of television to tell compelling stories. The show's popularity, a concern for Hewitt, prompted 60 Minutes pundit Andy Rooney to dedicate one of his closing segments on his program to a parody of West 57th correspondents. There was a celebration by the "West 57th" team and its producers because the show had received recognition and publicity from the popular Rooney who was trying to kill their program.[citation needed][neutrality is disputed] A major concern for Hewitt was the rising star within CBS of "West 57th"'s executive producer Andrew Lack.
Hewitt and internal critics of the program prevailed in 1989 when CBS canceled West 57th, despite its profitablility. According to Peter Boyer in his book Who Killed CBS?, Dan Rather was obsessed with having enough resources for the CBS Evening News. He was upset when his star reporters, Jane Wallace and Meredith Vieira, were recruited to join West 57th. After the cancellation, the show was replaced by the short-lived Saturday Night with Connie Chung. Vieira and fellow correspondent Steve Kroft transferred to 60 Minutes, where Kroft currently remains. Vieira went on to anchor NBC's Today Show. Sirott moved to Chicago to continue a successful career in local TV and radio. John Ferrugia moved to Denver, where he is an award-winning investigative reporter for KMGH-TV.

[@groovymoviesmusic]

It was probably hard for Stills to take Nash seriously with that haircut even when he was yelling at him.

[@andyinoregon]

Nash doing his best Don Johnson "Miami Vice" look here.

[@joshgarland9085]

When Nash was yealing at stills for being Drunk stills just stood there like MAN!! WTF!! Is up with your hair

[@jackstrawfromwichita6168]

Or just too drunk to care.

[@ronfowlermusic]

@@jackstrawfromwichita6168 or envious of all that hair

[@reggaefan2700]

After watching this video, I'm a bigger fan of Stills now. He was such a big asshole back then. There's a level of realness with his curse words.

[@jasonrubin5545]

I remember Neil saying at the time that two days before a tour starts is not a good time to interview Stephen, that he would often drink more before a tour because of all the stress involved. I'm glad he's in a better place now.

[@joecostigan6348]

This interview is pure gold 😂😂😂😂 Stills being like “I like to party” so shut up and leave me alone had me laughing so hard.

[@WHEELSBRANUM]

I can relate to stills, I loved the way he shut that question down. I also moved around allot as a kid. It leaves an after effect. of things like, don't make friends because moving day could be any day. At 7 a.m. Saturday, my Dad would pull up with a U-haul and say ,"here's the boxes, get packing I want to be on the road by 5p.m." No explanation, or discussion. just spend the day packing and loading. I went to one school for a week another for a month. It sucked, always being the new kid. I was very independent. I still do not make friends easily. I usually don't like people in general, I've just learned to tolerate them as I have gotten older.

[@melissa9375]

His father was in the military.

[@melissa9375]

Not so sure about that, to be honest.

[@dclate62]

I'm saddened that they had to 'exist' this way. But it sure has been worth the pain as far as the listeners are concerned. I hope and pray that at age 70, they can look at each other and say," I love you friend". Genius and brilliance is not easy to express 'three fold at once'. Imagine Renoir, Picasso and Van gogh all painting on one canvas ! Thank you for the music guys...it makes the hard times easier......God Bless

[@tteedghihh]

I heard wooden ships for the first time during heavy opiate withdrawals, and even then I thought it was one of the most beautiful songs ever.

[@fahnke]

What an interview, what a hotbed of dysfunction. As a long time CSN (and sometimes Y) fan, and having read both of Crosby's biographies, I see where this interview fits in. It's interesting to watch it now about 25 years later, knowing where they all are right now, which is in a much better place. Great video - a must for any die-hard CSN fan.

[@billidgylab9083]

You watched this and were shocked? Heck the second Manassas and last album they are sitting around a table of J&B Scotch. They are three brothers by different mothers and each is independant and co-dependant. It's really simple...Stephen is the heart and David and Graham are the soul....if one or the other gets screwy it all falls down. It takes all three pillars to keep their heads above murky waters. Times change and so do we, they have too.

[@melissa9375]

Black Queen credited to Jose Cuervo.

[@Anglynn74]

I remember the night this aired. Things have gotten better since then. Happy birthday Steve.

[@fanmaxis3004]

Now they've gotten much worse again

[@Piwork69]

I remember watching this when it aired also. I thought it aired in 1984 but I looked it up on YT and there it was. I was 18 and struck that an "old guy" like Stephen still said "I like to party, okay?" It seemed to me at the time that most 60's musicians were sober in the 80's--or so it seemed.

[@user-ny9sw6nl3v]

Love you guys forever ☮☮☮🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️💜💜💜🎸🎸🎸🎵🎵🎵

[@triptoyourheart]

"But" my ass, I said it's the end of the subject! ROFL

[@amymerritt5505]

I have met them, and David and Graham were great. Stephen was kind of aloof. They are amazing musicians and vocalists you can't deny that. Who cares what they are in their real lives. They are artist, and they have had a major impact on music as a whole.

[@cdavidlake2]

Met David as well, before or after a show (can't remember which) around '89. He was great - gracious, warm, and very patient with someone who then just barely a young adult. Really refuted the whole "don't meet your heroes" idea. It always struck me as incongruous when I would hear of his reputation for being so difficult.

[@krogsta]

Pure IWOL energy ❤

[@KatShotz]

The man was pure !and still is😊

[@ZoSo1973]

Stills is the most talented, down to earth, and "real" one of CSN.

[@MattSmith-iq1ld]

Depends how you look at it. "Teach Your Children," "Just A Song Before I Go," and "Our House" are CSN's 3 biggest hits, and "Cold Rain" perhaps the most underrated song in the group's catalog. All written by the "least talented" Graham Nash.

[@reggaefan2700]

After watching this video, I'm a bigger fan of Stills now. He was such a big asshole back then. There's a level of realness with his curse words.

[@lisamoroney3036]

They each had their own thing .

[@lisamoroney3036]

@@MattSmith-iq1ld don’t forget Marrakesh Express. Was their first hit .

[@lisamoroney3036]

That was a Nash song also

[@MultiGator78]

Holy shit, what a raw look at three exceptionally talented musicians, two with addictions and the third saddled with the other two.

[@sammyscotch9945]

Nash isnt as innocent as he seems here

[@aarond23]

This is the exact opposite of a 'puff piece'...pretty real

[@angelabluebird609]

Magic is magic, even if it didn't go as planned...so thankful for each and all of them, including Mr. Young. :)

[@mustlovepretzels]

Thanks to David Browne and his CSN&Y biography. Cheers!

[@bedeashby6323]

Those harmonies. No one does or has done it better or as uniquely!

[@Jennifer_J_D]

They are lucky they made it out of the 60s alive! So many other talented artists did not.

[@Disasterpiece5150]

I like to party alright!-Stephen Stills

[@glennquagmire7696]

millerhighlife2112 I like how he's wandering around at that party. "Fuck, I'm outta beer. Shit, balloons!"

[@karinspears2782]

Glenn Quagmire That made me laugh so loud, thanks!

[@reggaefan2700]

Don't forge the "My Ass" part. After watching this video, I'm a bigger fan of Stills now. He was such a big asshole back then. There's a level of realness with his curse words.

[@rsohlich1]

Thanks, she's a great person who loves Graham so it was great for her :)

[@dubuqueblues69]

Wow. Really heavy. I've heard Stills still has this problem.... Still love all of these guys very much.

[@maureenhorrigan7151]

Not any more

[@JayAr709]

@@maureenhorrigan7151”When you’re dust, it just should not be, that it was a cold, cold world, in the end.”-Stephen Stills

[@RichardNixonsHippieRemoval]

"Two and forty years ago, I come into this life. A Stossel wannabe asked about the alcohol and I said I like to party alright." 🥳

[@gratefulgregg62]

Crosby; "Send them to me".

[@susantombs9116]

i wish they would do a live stream concert for us fans

[@bethbockus1395]

BTW; check out some Videos where Graham Nash was loopy and spaced out! "People in Glass Houses...."

[@sammyscotch9945]

Sure right about that! Nash also had his issues w drugs

[@WitchyWhale]

Todd in the Shadows brought me here.

[@erintaylor5856]

I hate to say it but Graham complains Steven treated him like a backup singer. Well.....He kinda was. Not a great instrumentalist. His thing was nice solo songs, but mostly his harmonies. That's kind of what a backup singer does :). I sing solo and backup. I have no ego when I am blending in a harmony. I realize its color, not on the forefront.

[@Blinki18284]

Yeah, but on the other hand, Nash had a great feeling for catchy Pop-songs and he wrote most of their most successful tunes. But look at CSN in the 80s: Because of the drug related problems of David and Stephen, CSN went the Nash trail (which is defined by mainstream successful music) and "Daylight Again" is a poor 80s album with disgusting 80s over-production.

[@manuelfraiman5534]

we all have jobs, and we've all had to cope with these problems of getting along with colleagues. Stills would certainly treat them as backing singers, on his songs... but I suppose they managed to get what they wanted from him when it was his turn to give in. Not always of course, but it worked for a couple of albums. The final problem which led to the explosion of the band did not come from Stills, as everybody would have expected it... Even if he'd sung out of tune with a broken voice for years, event if his guitar could break "everybody's careful mix" on stage(people say "balls"), even if he had bad talks... It came from David, who surprisingly stopped remembering that he owed 30 years of his career and probably just life to Graham Nash, the man who kept all this going... it took more that talent to keep these old stars playing, disbanding, and playing together...

[@stevedrums1675]

Meanwhile, the most accessible songs were Graham's and he produced most of the hits because of their simplicity.

[@sammyscotch9945]

@@Blinki18284 Nash also had his issues w drugs mainly cocaine (according to nash)

[@melissa9375]

@@Blinki18284 The first album. Suite Judy Blue Eyes. Stills played every instrument on that album AND produced it. They could have stopped there and it would have been a magical and monumental achievement.

[@MattSmith-iq1ld]

A lot of people here are blaming this guy or that guy for being the "problem child" of the group. The truth is that as Crosby once said, music performers have massive egos. All three of these guys have real problems. It's a volatile mixture, and as David once said, "I'm glad we got the music out that we did." Although Neil Young has his own weirdness, his unwillingness to work with these guys unless the circumstances were perfect speaks a lot. Because he's the REAL talent in the group. He has an abhorrence for nostalgia acts that do not focus their concerts on new songs, and has zero tolerance for drug abuse and guys not focusing 100% on the music. Too often these guys have focused too much on their past catalog and on their egos.

[@lastnamefirst4035]

Young being intolerant of drug abuse? He himself has only been clean for a few yrs. In his book he said he was high and or drunk every day since his teens. Everyday

[@MattSmith-iq1ld]

@@lastnamefirst4035 I should have said drugs like heroin that completely overwhelm a musician's ability to create and perform. We all remember the coke incident during the "Last Waltz" film. Like many, Neil has liked his weed. But he never allowed drugs to get him into the state that Stills and especially Croz did. One of the main reasons he refused to work with the others after the huge mid-70's stadium tour was Croz's drug addiction.

[@jeffreyjacobs390]

Most Bands are the product of SEPARATE MINDS, GOALS (ULTIMATELY) VISION & ABILITY in creating original music, lyrics, appealing to vast majority of the intended demographic ...... being talented is not nearly enough to make it even part of the way to SUCCESS and continued success is near impossible FOR MOST AS IT REQUIRES PEOPLE TO BE ONE .... and people are not one.... they different and changing so always a fleeting chance of compliance and yet fresh and finding common ground a fantasy ! Just my observation, GBjj

[@sharpenflat6002]

Stephen Stills with backup singers: D. Crosby and G. Nash. Always was--always will be.

[@shirleypena4133]

@sharpen flat 👍👍👍

[@jrpipik]

This story took the most controversial angle it could, as news shows will. Yeah, anybody in even a garage band will tell you there are egos, arguments, tensions and it just gets worse with success because now you have all that stuff and you rely on the band for your living. But at the time they'd been making great music both together and apart for 20 years, outliving (sometimes literally) most of their contemporaries, so that could have been the story. CSN are not wannabes or mightabeens -- they're big stars! And 25+ years later CSN and sometimes Y are still friends and still making music together. The doom this reporter wants to emphasize never comes to pass. So how critical was it to point out their problems instead of celebrating their very real successes?

[@NoExitLoveNow]

jrpipik David Crosby did have a BIG drug problem and almost died - only a liver transplant saved him. Steven definitely appears to be in denial about his alcoholism. He can barely talk now much less sing. I'm not 100% sure what that is about. They could have done the same old story, or they could have revealed some truth of which not everyone was aware. I'm glad they did the latter. The fact that Stephen Stills has an addiction to alcohol doesn't sully his accomplishments, it did and does hinder further accomplishments however. www.ocregister.com/entertainment/stills-81629-one-singing.html www.ocregister.com/soundcheck/stills-480881-http-href.html

[@sammyscotch9945]

Friends? Dont think so. Theyre old and same issues

[@rsohlich1]

He kissed my Moms hand in the mid 70s. She talked with him a bit and right before the band left for the road he took her hand and kissed it.

[@Unsung_Earth]

He looks like Vic reeves the English comedian in the thumbnail lol

[@glennquagmire7696]

Stills sporting those hangover goggles.

[@patrickcrawford6392]

I don't blame him.

[@jasondotson]

Arguably the greatest voices in rock 'n' roll history!!!

[@sirfrancisdrake4285]

Get Graham a Mirror so he can admire himself as he likes to do and tell you how good he is . Can you say 1776 as that was what we thought of your pretention.

[@TheFossie12]

Yep - exactly what I came away with after reading his book Wild Tales. Journeyman. Boy sure lucked out when Joni Mitchell fell for his pommie accent ;)

[@ajflamingo5839]

Sir Francis Drake If you read Nash’s autobiography, “Wild Tales” his ego is completely unchecked. He doesn’t seem introspective in the book.

[@Piwork69]

ITS 2021. But it could end up being 1776--WORLDWIDE!

[@maureenhorrigan7151]

Bingo!! He's full of himself

[@blackjackthompson1017]

I bet if you got those guys in a room, locked the door, gave them 3 acoustic guitars, a bag of grass and a microphone, they could make musical magic again.

[@sammyscotch9945]

No way

[@BlueEyes-gp8lg]

A bag of grass is fine for Crosby, but what would be left for Stills and Nash?

[@ladyspookums]

if Nash didn't kill Crosby first....

[@oranjuly]

I think they tried to record a back-to-basics album of covers with Rick Rubin producing. Crosby didn’t want to record covers and didn’t get along with Rubin.

[@michaelluczak3019]

If these guys werent always squabbling ( see Neil Young ) they could have produced a whole lot more music.

[@melissa9375]

The Beatles were always able to put everything aside at the count-in. That's rare.

[@sammyscotch9945]

Nash...the terminal hipster Now hes near 77 and in interview doesnt seem real happy. We all run outta time

[@clearfield2009]

"Crosby Stills and Nash never live up to their potential, CSN are exactly that." Who writes your copy? Are you insane. CSNY did more than any other band to galvanize their generation. Easy Rider - one of the most iconic 60's anti-hero counter-revolutionary movies starring Peter Fonda and Jack Nicholson, among others, was one of the most powerful and iconic of films that was stamped on the DNA of the country. The last scene of that movie shows the devastation of the main characters who are killed by red necks as they are riding their motorcycles on a highway. Stephen Stills song, "The Cost of Freedom" plays as the credits roll. Never lived up to their potential? They did more than anyone could have ever imagined. Their generation internalized so much of their lyrics, heart and soul. Yes, there are always clashes with musicians, there are clashes with friends. The Beatles had internal issues too, for god's sake. This is the worst clip I have seen on the absolute best band that has ever played anywhere anytime. Yes, they have problems. They were having problems with drugs and drinking. Surprise, that causes issues. Their music is iconic.

[@justaman6972]

i break into houses and rearrange the furniture,turn the toilet paper upside down on the dispenser, then leave...

[@lastnamefirst4035]

Me too but sometimes I will unlock the door then lock it when I leave

[@jessefinch4071]

WHAT DID GRAHAM SAY? ''Death Stare'', My favorite part

[@markgrunzweig6377]

If one is talking about being real, then they are not being real. No wonder Neil would leave if there was too much drama with those three. It's about the music and nothing else. He wrote about it in a song called "Wooden Ships". "Capsized by excess, if you know what I mean?" is one line from that song.

[@markgrunzweig6377]

Correction: any drama....

[@melissa9375]

NEIL DN WRITE WOODEN SHIPS. READ A LITTLE. START W LINER NOTES.

[@steviezace]

Very heavy stuff while reading David"s autobiography. That footage of him onstage all based out is talked about bye Graham and how they had to edit out most of Crosby onstage. Pick up a copy of this book.

[@lisamoroney3036]

Yup . It was in Graham’s book also. They had to dump a bag of ice on him (David ) to wake him up again to get on stage .

[@stevezisk3415]

What was up with Nash huge Earlobes

[@melissa9375]

THAT IS YOUR TAKE AWAY??? WOW. Shallow much?

[@blachubear]

After watching "The History Of The Eagles", Glenn Frey got him beat. Gene Simmons a close second.

[@swingmanu]

9:30- this is a song I don't know...

[@benmeltzer7213]

Nighttime For The Generals -- it was later revised a little (for the better).

[@ffhd1clt]

Stills is clearly the most talented, but he has a problem he doesn’t want to deal with. Go back and listen to him in interviews before he was drunk all the time. He was mr. nice guy, and the drink has turned him into a belligerent ass. I speak from experience. It’s the hardest thing he’ll ever do, but he needs to do it.

[@michaellewchuk8272]

the best talent is to be available to your band mates. He's a musical genius but if he's not available, it means nothing.

[@maureenhorrigan7151]

Stills is now very sober. He quick both drugs and booze. Sober for maybe yrs

[@DeviLolita1209]

Graham & David seem so genuinely sweet & honest. I just cringe at Stephen's arrogance in this interview. Still love him though.

[@melissa9375]

You're confusing honesty with arrogance. Crosby is sweet; Nash??? Ask his second wife and three children.

[@TheUnclerickie]

Yes Still was different, difficult and probably not too bright.....but, if you look at the body of work, he was brilliant in that respect. Listen to some of his side projects and you'll see. I recommend listening to Manassas. That was a short lived group he formed with Chris Hillman (formerly of the Byrds and then the Flying Burrito Bros). Good stuff.

[@Tull1996]

I very politely disagree with the "not too bright" portion of your statement...but different and difficult...yeah, I'm with you there ;-).....and as far as Manassas....yeah!...glad you brought them up....I've got two of their albums, and really enjoy them even to this day. And I like his "solo" stuff as well....he's by far my favorite of CSN.

[@Piwork69]

Poor Graham always seems to be the voice of reason--even back then.

[@bethbockus1395]

W

[@GrungeGirl83]

Stills was drunk here and everyone was pisses at him

[@petevinegar1769]

Stephen stills aka Alex jones

[@davidrice3337]

I watched this back then- it's when I knew Stills was the Man

[@tuneyouup]

Looks like his face swelled up

[@bethbockus1395]

Wow was this the Reagan "just say no" era? haha Mulletts and Euro Pop. BAD TIMES Hating on the best was sacreligious

[@timothycornell3032]

WOW! No wonder Graham is done with them!

[@jgwire]

i loved these guys in the 70s..but my god, what a bunch of fussy drama queens....and today none of them even speak to each other. at least crosby is still alive and kicking. i follow him on twitter and he says he's happier than he's ever been. I don't see a lot of happiness in this clip.

[@sammyscotch9945]

All great musicians. Not so good people

[@gfjolley]

Graham is a blessing

[@robertjohnson3855]

Stills has always been the most talented of this band. Nash and Crosby are talented yes, but they are not stupid. Stills is a guitar master, writes great songs and has a decent voice actually a very good voice. Nash and Crosby,would not make it alone. Stills can pull it off Alone. But........Truth is they are better together than alone, but still it is a selfish thing to not think of there your behavior hurts and even threatens your career as well as theirs. But you can,always go,recruit others, may not be the same, but it can and has been,done. May be time to move on guys after 40 years? Hate to,see it, but you've been past your prime now for some time. Guess it's time for some serious talks, and not just threats. Do it or get out of it. Nothing is forever.

[@MrOctober44]

Stills is a great songwriter. I just don't put David or Nash are on his level. The two of them are much better singers then Stills

[@shirleypena4133]

@Robert Johnson I quite agree.

[@marcusbradley4399]

Well actually I think Crosby could have and has had a great solo career along with Stills, Nash… not so much but still some good stuff.

[@samnicholson5051]

Well no because Crosby and Nash were still pretty successful when they recorded and performed as a duo.

[@mrgreensound]

you are wrong......tells the truth

[@jasondotson]

Cocaine, it's a helluva drug. :(

[@paulhendricks7967]

steven has a bit of a 'tude 11.23

[@ffhd1clt]

Paul Hendricks That’s because he’s drunk.

[@TomTremayne]

The trouble is, & was, Steve Stills & David Crosby are American good ole boys & Graham Nash is British and rather square.

[@1855wrk]

This video is misdated. It's much earlier than 1987. Probably about 80 to 82.

[@williamsheehe697]

no, Crosby went to Prison in late '85-early '86

[@richardfolkman]

Nash is a brazeer left unstrapped. These cats went threw the storm. Nash, Stills could would can didn't box his flagrant verbal insult. Nash doesn't impress me. Personal, I know.

[@captainfantastic9158]

No wonder Neil - even with HIS demons - stays away from this shit as often as he does.

[@zippymufo9765]

No wonder Neil Young stays away from these guys.

[@laytonrichards2188]

This thing seems a little scripted

[@michaelgraham9774]

This seems pretty real to me

[@shamusclarke7512]

Got to admit Nash sounds pretty melodramatic here

[@mrkazzam]

You always kinda of got that stills was a douche.......but a very talented douche.... Given the egos of stills and Nash...then add Neil young to the mix...you can see why they never stuck together in the long term.. That's a kind of folk hell.

[@shawnbergman6558]

Graham Nash is always over the top and is the biggest attention seeker in the group.

[@karieschneider746]

Nash never learned to blend his voice with the others. Too tinny.

[@manuelfraiman5534]

never read anything funnier!!!!

[@melissa9375]

Right. You are complaining about CSN's HARMONIES??????? Yeah and that Einstein guy was a disaster at physics. And Mozart just couldn't quite cut it in composition. And if only that Michelangelo guy could have made better use of space. And that Hallelujah Chorus, why did Handel have to be so showy? Good Lord.

[@bethbockus1395]

LMAO No one watching in 2018

[@243Marianne]

You evidently are.

[@sammyscotch9945]

@@243Marianne LMAO

[@richardfolkman]

Shut and sing? Is that a Stephen Stills quote or yours Nash? Stills is not a shmuck. Nash is dressing up in rhinestones. Can you compare Nash and Crosby with Stills acoustic work? It's not about who's right, it's about who is true. This is the crap that kills all endevours. Me me me. There is no orbit into grandeur without the belly aching of the unsatisfied. Shit this hurts to hear.

[@TheFossie12]

Yes indeed- in his book Nash name drops like raindrops. “I knew the Beatles before they were Beatles. Hmm..

[@sammyscotch9945]

@@TheFossie12 I read Nash's bio. It was disgusting. Hes a self righteous guy who thinks he invented the hippie peace/love idea and if everyone would be like him the world would be so grand...what a jerk

[@thomasminarchickjr.7355]

These 3 created adult contemporary radio and punk rock. Not sure if that cancels out the former. I don’t think their is a more egotistical, pompous group. Crosby and Nash are the worst of the bunch. How Neil Young ever lowered himself to join this group will always boggle me.

[@jackstrawfromwichita6168]

I wanted to stop by two years later and tell you that your opinion is shit.

[@lifeisacarnival1359]

Punk rock? Are you insane?