David Crosby on Dating Joni Mitchell and the Night She Broke Up With Him

[@aquamarine99911]

Speaking as a huge fan of Joni's, this is essential viewing. Crosby is so (appropriately) respectful of Joni and accurate about her place in the singer-songwriter firmament. Kudos to all.

[@butterflymoon6368]

Well, he is now. He wrote a song about her sleeping around then said 'i couldn't do that to joni' meaning he couldn't release it. He still bloody wrote it, though.

[@CORNPOP24]

Best interview of them all.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

@@butterflymoon6368 Well, he was just being honest.

[@leahflower9924]

Does Crosby get along with anyone? Lol

[@paulaarmstrong8431]

He was a macho, self absorbed, twit.

[@jeffking887]

I admire David for the way he handles regret. God knows he’s had a few.

[@veronicaherrera7586]

We all have regrets. It’s when we try to make things better that softens that pain.

[@jimmygillard]

It makes me very sad that we'll soon be without this generation of musicians and songwriters. There's still great music around today, but it cannot make headway in todays gimmick orientated charts.

[@rsohlich1]

The great music seemed to hit it's zenith by the early/mid 90s. Been crappy since

[@Baci302]

There is some but you have to go out and find it because it ain't on the radio for the most part.

[@improbablywrongabouteveryt6781]

The music today belongs in the dump

[@radar0412]

Don't be sad. We recorded all that Greatest music from the mid 60's to the mid 70's IN STEREO for future generations to hear throughout eternity!

[@dontlookmeinmyeyeswhenudan5241]

Billy strings is has a lot of talent for the times of today.

[@D-MARIE77]

David Crosby and his voice is just very soothing. Very talented. The time when music was great. The writers sang their songs and this was awesome.

[@daviddobbs303]

Love David Crosby!! He is so open and love the way he explains his life!

[@l.g.6098]

He has such a healthy outlook.

[@joezeigler1064]

Saw Joni perform at a theater in Columbus Ohio. After the show we saw a limo & small group of people at back stage door. Joni came out a bit surprised but stayed and talked to everyone for a half hour or so. She was gracious and funny. Such a delightful moment.

[@davidfletcher4740]

RIP Mr. Crosby. We lost a true legend

[@gurusoft1]

David is modest here. He has 3 magnificent solo albums; Remember My Name (1970), Croz (2014), and Sky Trails (2017). David’s is on a spectacular roll at age 80.

[@gingergeezer3685]

Here If You Listen is very good.

[@VictorRochaGaming]

Yes, he is. The new album is the best thing he's ever done. It's a real testament to the musical relationship with his son James Raymond.

[@Italy55]

Remember My Name is so beautiful.

[@boxingandbulldogs6341]

Equal writer to Bob Dylan and 10 times the musician and singer. That's high praise for Joni Mitchell from Crosby and I, for one, agree 100%.

[@clw4430]

10 times? There's no comparison. He should hace said 10 times exponentially.

[@petergambaccini7396]

tHAT'S NOT TRUE

[@alenelevin1757]

Yes. A true legend. He is too.

[@lewisc215]

No, she writes almost exclusively about herself, while Bob is much broader.

[@pattyayers]

@@clw4430 But at least Dylan didn’t have that cutesy-cringey baby voice and insincere smile

[@foxbean100]

That is such a favourite Joni song of mine, had no idea it was about him. Bonnie Raitt's cover of it is sublime. Crosby was in fine form for that interview, nice one.

[@cockeyedoptimista]

I just learned that Raitt did a version of it!

[@Kibwunga]

Joni is my hero. Her artistry is unrivaled in popular music.

[@Kibwunga]

@Tru 319 Well that's nonsense. :)

[@Sanctified57]

She didn’t write much stuff though

[@Kibwunga]

@@Sanctified57 More than you think

[@tylertracey8207]

Playing the song was savage 😂

[@raedgaj3878]

twice was brutal, must have been revenge for something he did to her.

[@willburrito9710]

If I had an afternoon with Crosby I’d only ask how he found those amazing harmony parts for all the hits. Fabulously honest and one of my musical heroes along with Stills.

[@donnievick3076]

What do you mean by finding harmonies? Harmonies are systematic, he simply sings his part.

[@ryreinhardt]

Wrong, there are many harmonic options a singer can take, you obviously know zero about music, Crosby was legendary for finding great middle harmonies.... The hardest of all to sing, he arranged most of the harmonies for the Byrds and CSN

[@donnievick3076]

@@ryreinhardt He sings the 3rd within a three part harmony, not much wiggle room there.

[@blackmore4]

@@donnievick3076 There's _loads_ of "wiggle room" when it comes to harmony. Take the Beatles 'Love Me Do'... Add a straight close 3rd or fifth harmony following either Lennon or McCartney's notes exactly and you have mediocrity. The artful moreish genius on this first little gem is that they don't follow each other. Instead, there are two brilliantly melodic memorable phrases sometimes harmonising in 3rds and sometimes in 5ths but each going their own way. It's perfect musical metaphor for the brilliance of the combination of both competitive songwriters. They sing the same words, together, but the contrasting melodies and the way each singer sounds conjures tellingly different meaning. McCartney's higher, ascending, apprehensive romantic melody is asking her, perhaps pleading; whereas Lennon's stridently up, then firmly resolving down, no nonsense alpha male cluster is telling her straight. Either melody is pop-glorious alone; together, they're rebellious.

[@TJamesBell]

From Don and Phil Everly, and Brian Wilson.

[@Tamar-sz8ox]

When Blue was released , Joni was given a hard time , her male peers said it was too revealing and on and on . She spoke about it on her interview with Q magazine

[@landofthelivingskies3318]

That Song About The Midway is the name of the song Joni Mitchell wrote for Crosby.

[@joedoe783]

Thanks, I couldn't find it.

[@daisypom1]

Thank you, I didn't know the name of the song.

[@bluehole6019]

This was interesting, I’ve always heard it was written for Leonard Cohen

[@RussWilgus]

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” ~Gandalf (Tolkien)

[@broncodeviltexas]

They really need to make a movie of this period in Rock history when everyone was hanging out

[@jimmydean1689]

They did. Laurel Canyon documentary, it's good.

[@leithp]

@@jimmydean1689 Yep. I've seen it. It IS good.

[@morrisonAV]

I think "Almost Famous" had glimpses of that time period before Big Business stepped in.

[@paulmarsh8974]

The documentary film 'Woodstock' is the epitome of that era..

[@willoconnor909]

Hahaha love it when Howard plays the song and reaches out to Crosby as if it were a gift. Could listen to Howard and Croz talk all day

[@curbozerboomer1773]

I feel that stern is a bit of an A-hole...he often digs into the uncomfortable experiences of his guests.

[@papagreenemusic]

David Crosby didn't exactly "discover" Joni Mitchell. She had already performed on national Canadian TV from 1965, & Tom Rush had already recognized her songwriting ability by recording "Urge For Going". Crosby made the connections in L.A. that launched her big-time career, but she wasn't exactly an 'unknown' at the time.

[@yodservant]

But he produced her first album ...really got the ball rolling for her in the States

[@jpkatz1435]

@@yodservant and as he states, there was no way this emense talent would not make itself known

[@americanpancakelive]

The very best thing a young musician and songwriter could do (of any genre) is dip into Joni's albums and tunings. She is absolutely out of this world and sometimes I fear that she will be forgotten.

[@germanparfenov7231]

I will be crying when they are gone…

[@masonkanterbury3007]

The genius of Bob is that he gets and keeps your attention. When he sings something, the words are impactful and memorable. Joni is awesome too.

[@paulmarsh8974]

Joni has a personality... Bob doesn't..

[@dilbyjones]

She IS the BEST singer songwriter IVE EVER heard.

[@CapAnson12345]

David SEEMS like a great, nice guy. But every single person who's ever interacted with him hates his guts. That many people can't be lying.

[@seattleite6631]

I'm with you on this.

[@wendyjohansen6174]

@@seattleite6631 They can’t handle his bluntness

[@echopathy]

NPD

[@bradfifty7272]

No he is a jerk. I and friend won a contest to see CS&N in London. Backstage passes meet the band etc. He would of even acknowledge us. Graham on the other hand was very gracious and welcoming.

[@lizzabbott]

Read about him ( & Morrison, Zappa, John Phillips & more) in the book, Weird Scenes Inside The Canyon, by David McGowan. Mind blowing !

[@petejones5817]

You know David has had his issues but in the end damn.... he’s an amazing and one of the best of our parents time and our time

[@joniheisenberg6691]

Wow. Howard admitting he can’t be with a powerhouse woman. Speaks volumes. 🙄

[@curbozerboomer1773]

He speaks for most of us men!...women are the great mystery, even if they are not in the powerhouse category!

[@stevie_byf]

@@curbozerboomer1773 so… you’re saying you can’t be with any woman ahaha

[@brucegelman5582]

Beautiful to see and hear all the vulnerability.This is what makes art something more.

[@chrisp8856]

I love Joni, I love CS & N, but Joni sounds like she had quite the wrath when things didn’t go her way with relationships. Very impressed with David’s healthy reflection on the past. You guys were all a huge part of my childhood, and I thank you so much for all the great feelings of joy that I continue to experience when I listen to your timeless music.👍🙂

[@RandomPlayIist]

From what's been said over the years, Crosby is the one that's very hard to get along with.

[@bewithabob]

❤

[@ttocs68]

She seams to have slept with just about everybody.

[@mitchkahle314]

Gotta love the honesty and humility of these older musicians.

[@ThaiThom]

Boomers had it all, Gen X has always been in awe of them for all that.

[@shadygroves8252]

dude is so candid love him

[@nrjdohhg5]

Joni's stunning, i love her voice so much, and it's interesting how he admitted that she's a better musician than Dylan, how incredible! She really is all of that!

[@freebird1ification]

is there any musicians she didnt sleep with is my question ?

[@foxbean100]

OK to compare them as poets, but as musicians? I doubt Dylan would argue he is a great musician, but he'd recognise that Joni is.

[@azdesertgray5937]

No offense to all above, but anyone is a better singer than Dylan. He can write songs, but can't sing them.

[@phasespace4700]

Pauli Shore is a better musician than Bob Dylan

[@Baci302]

Jesus, is there anyone left that gets along with David anymore? lol. Still, I love Croz's honesty.

[@seattleite6631]

Makes you wonder how honest it is though?

[@taddyd1]

Joni hates EVERYBODY

[@WS-ij1fu]

@@taddyd1 Apart from Rack Bleato

[@larrytate1657]

I think Joni developed a disdain for weed.

[@lemurianchick]

@@taddyd1 They're both likely narcissists.

[@MadAveMadMan]

Joni Mitchell. I mean, some artists are just on a level that’s hard to comprehend. Just be happy you were around to enjoy it.

[@dannyholmes2801]

"Easy to fall, but hard to stay in love"....she drew that map

[@brianfergus839]

She also wrote “Dawntreader” for him. I know I’m alone in this but I think it’s her finest song

[@pagliacci2942]

One of her best from one of her best albums. It's actually more progressive than Blue.

[@axecalibore]

You are not alone. That's the one that made me notice her.

[@davidwollpert5276]

David seems in good spirits here...nice to see.

[@lastcrateontheleft]

Howard knocked it out of the park today!

[@stephicath]

“That Song About the Midway” is so great. “Was it hard to hold a hand you knew could win?”

[@jackwegener3484]

Stephanie, while not wishing to be one of those guys, the lyric is "fold" not "hold".

[@VictorRochaGaming]

@@jackwegener3484 Her line is pretty good too.

[@MultiGator78]

Can you imagine if Joni and David had done an album together? Their talent was cosmic. Together they could have been otherworldly.

[@jonmars9559]

Joni was the unique talent that started out great and just kept getting better, much better. By the time Mingus came along, her contemporaries from the 60's were distant blips in the rearview mirror. I don't think she lost regard for those early friends and colleagues but she was always driven for higher achievement.

[@damita4336]

She's still alive.

[@jonmars9559]

@@damita4336 This is true.

[@jpkatz1435]

Higher achievement that seem to stop

[@andrewherbert8125]

Poor David Crosby, must be like getting kicked in the nuts each time you hear that song

[@ricobonifacio1095]

he looked really sad when he heard it.

[@octaviof.g.7316]

Hahaha

[@Silvana716]

Well, he gave us some indication in this interview that he might have brought it upon himself. And maybe Joni had to play it twice because he didn’t get it the first time - probably a pattern in their relationship that led to its demise, haha.

[@wendyjohansen6174]

@@Silvana716 What song is it?

[@lizzabbott]

That Song About The Midway. On Clouds

[@Wutzmename]

I love this man. Still has the same cell phone number almost 20 years later.

[@melissagregory-oc5jq]

Great interview. Love Joni, CSNY and the many musicians discussed.

[@mrlafayette1964]

I just don't see how Blue is better than Court And Spark,to each his own though.

[@johnheart6890]

Wow! This interview is really good!!!! Hilarious and truthful at the same time!

[@clapham93]

RIP David Crosby. You were so talented and entertaining. 😔😂💗

[@GenXstacker]

By all accounts Crosby is an a-hole, but he's still one hell of an interesting interview: "Oh a new Joni Mitchell song. Yay." LOL

[@laurencedauplay8166]

David Crosby is so pure talking nicely about Joni Mitchell!

[@brentonhorton6845]

Yes ❤❤ joni Mitchell is the school teacher we all wanted to know..wanted to keep to ourselves and in our classroom..you just knew she were someone very special and we believed everything she said were true 👍I were a kid of the 80s a generation later... but our history lessons consisted of themes based around the time of the 60s movements.. racism & riots religion and rock and roll..to sir with love with lulu and Sidney Poitier...we'll it was it all an eventuality so " they " pulled it out of the curriculum ..my poetry teacher & art teacher would read books and played flute..she help.us ti get familiar with miss joni Mitchell and it were a warm feeling...David is right..she is/was and still is to this day by far the best female songstress of all time...she took emotions and let people connect and she led people home she didn't lead them away ( if people really understand )?..the fundamental laws apply..i ❤ you joni Mitchell..

[@hildarodriguez9778]

Check out "If I could only remember my name" album by David Crosby. Excellent.

[@Smokesteve]

Cool when Howard gets true legends.

[@acidnine]

There aren't many left, last year was super bad for legends.

[@quinnrollen]

Wish he would have got Eddie Van Halen

[@jenmckitrick]

Kudos to Crosby for producing Song to a Seagull. "Letting Joni be Joni" was the best thing he could have done.

[@heru7182]

Remember this song? It’s the one she broke your heart with right? Let’s play it twice in a row, just like Joni did.

[@lawrencefinch-hatton6231]

👍

[@sharonramone7186]

Just HAD to laugh!

[@rb11rb]

😆☺️

[@tyronejoihnson7046]

Joni said when Crosby was on heroin, he'd crap in his hands and chase her around the house creaming "I am the walrus". Heroin is a helluva drug!

[@albertramos4900]

Lol, “we don’t get along any more” that should be Dave’s catch phrase

[@brucekuehn4031]

David Crosby - may you finally Rest In Peace. Not to speak ill of him, but he was one of the great bridge burners of that era in the music business. Sad, but it is true for almost anyone he sang with or was friends with.

[@k.t.5405]

min 2:53 "Fantastic a new Joni song...YAAAAAY!!!!" proceeds to drop the break-up bomb 😂😂😂😂

[@MellowWind]

Twice.

[@joechip1232]

Not being able to handle your partner being amazing is pretty pathetic.

[@treehugger47]

Agree with that. I love CSN&Y, but damn- Crosby has a fragile ego

[@yodservant]

Don't agree...they knew they needed to give each other space ...as a rule artists don't tend to make good long-term partners unless it's different mediums ... musician and writer, for example

[@Chrisicola]

Great clip.

[@shoWbitz]

Joni Mitchell songs are pure poetry

[@steveconn]

Pure doggerel.

[@priscillawagner8520]

Good story and interview😄♥️

[@pb7353]

This was a hilarious story. Thanks David for sharing.

[@josephballerini3730]

Crosby not getting along with someone…🙄

[@auramac]

Joni not nearly as generous as Croz.

[@lizzabbott]

Joni is just candid

[@Floatillyboats]

I remember the episode when he was on Rosanne. He was a great actor!

[@lolodee3528]

Loved him in Hook

[@TTM9691]

HA! she played it TWICE. That's hilarious. That's a great Joni story, I don't remember hearing that one! I don't remember that in his book!

[@joefriedman9843]

Great interview

[@jenniemalloy7402]

She's brilliant.

[@joedoe783]

David's always talking up his peer group, and it's nice, but David, for many of us, you're the outstanding talent of that generation.

[@johnjenkins5854]

I believe he would admit, Joni is alien. There is little to no comparison. Talent can’t compete with genius.

[@Havasu1976]

What's the name of that song she wrote about dumping Crosby?

[@foxbean100]

Song About the Midway. It might have felt harsh to him, but when all's said and done it's one of her most beautiful songs.

[@Kibwunga]

When Howard played the song, you could see it get real for David.

[@AllboroLCD]

havent been able to listen to a full Howard show since his days on K-rock : (

[@KyleMills1]

What a great guy, what an evolved man, great interview as usual Howard

[@julesjgreig]

Thank you

[@ceceliahoyt]

What is the name of the song Joni sang to David Crosby saying she was breaking up with him?

[@DETROIT1948]

Joni Mitchell Priceless ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

[@maha77]

Joni's album *Night Ride Home* is one of my favorite albums of all time. Every song is a 10

[@jdavis6650]

Sadly, Mr. Crosby does not get along with a lot of his former friends.

[@octagonseventynine1253]

Neither does Joni. They should have stuck together and been miserable together

[@built4hurricanes]

@@octagonseventynine1253 Neither one is miserable today.

[@tm87887]

@@octagonseventynine1253 joni seemed miserable maybe a decade ago but seems to be very happy the past two years

[@trevorpsy]

@@octagonseventynine1253 Joni gets along with jazz musicians e.g., Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, etc.

[@octagonseventynine1253]

@@trevorpsy probably because she respects their talent. I am a huge Dylan fan but I understand her disdain for him being she’s a much better musician on a technical level, a better singer and arguably as good a song writer

[@blackmore4]

No arguing with Joni Mitchell being a genius but having said that, there are at least three David Crosby songs I love more than anything JM ever wrote - Everybody's Been Burned, Lady Friend and I See You (the last one written with Jim McGuinn).

[@edithlazenby5839]

I agree with u on Jonie ..she is a truer Artist.. the real deal ..

[@HelianaSuper]

Great David! I love the Birds!!!

[@alsenglishclasses]

That's a cold way to break up with someone. Privately? Ok. But publicly???? Woah!

[@hallson2917]

R.I.P Mr Crosby 🎸🎤🙏🏻😔😪💔

[@juniorjohnson5961]

David just can't help but diss people , what's the point of saying Joni is ten times better than Bob David just can't help but put his foot in his mouth.

[@jirky015]

He didn't say she was 10x better. He said she is 10x better musician and singer, which is unarguable and 100% true.

[@seattleite6631]

It's absolutely true and nobody would question it.

[@kimbozw1808]

wow what a glowing tribute to Joni.

[@richardrosebealprestonjohn3144]

Awesome voice!

[@Divocwax]

She is better than Bob Dylan? Which of her compositions deserve a Nobel? I have the original Blue album and love it. But Dylan is Dylan.

[@chickybluetherealone]

Thanks for Bob comparison and that she is the best.

[@taddyd1]

Hilarious. Joni is not even close.

[@stefano.b65stef77]

I can get along with both Joni Mitchell and David Crosby!

[@richieboy6825]

Yep. I haven’t had any arguments with any of the members of the Laurel Canyon crowd. Except Neil, he can be moody as shit!

[@jakemcclintock8696]

did you ever read that book about Joni's life by Tom Becker, I believe it was? He called it the Joni Mitchell timeline, or something similar. It was the best thing I've ever seen about her, maybe 120 pages or something. Did he ever get it published or at least send a copy to her?

[@phillipmedina1]

I don’t care what anyone says! Howard Stern is still the Goat!!!

[@brookegoslin]

I agree with him 100% . Great singer songwriter really magnificent Joni is .

[@SEOTeamBerlin]

awesome story, awesome people - whose music accompanied me ever since my late youth

[@ChrisCollinsShow]

Another legendary interview from Howard Stern🎙

[@carlosrebocho1284]

Is it true that David Crosby´s song "Paint you a picture" is dedicated to her? Anyone? Such a marvelous and touching song!

[@lizzabbott]

Idk but I heard Geneviere is partly about her ?

[@enjoi024]

His voice is not what I expected at all lol

[@mvasqu762]

Crosby got all quiet thinking to himself. C'mon, I gotta hear this shit again, right now!?

[@alansilverman8500]

You should've gotten her to sing "Triad" with you and Graham....

[@sharonpowell5306]

Now that’s a GREAT song! One of my favorites.

[@juliegogo2941]

Joni is absolutely wonderful. The male ego is amazing. Thanks

[@AhtoRashied]

Yes. The male ego is amazing. You're alive because of it

[@curbozerboomer1773]

Joni had an out of wedlock baby...not so absolutely wonderful!...she gave it up for adoption, so she could pursue her career in music...incredibly selfish!

[@alisonf6478]

@@AhtoRashied ha! I can make a baby without it. Can you make a baby without a woman? ❤

[@nickrobinson7283]

Not familiar with the song what is it?

[@dannydonnelly8345]

Blue 💙 I love that album.