Dayspring - Crosby Stills Nash & Young Concert (1969)

On November 9, 1969, Dayspring was the opening act in a concert headlined by Crosby Stills Nash & Young at the University of California at Santa Barbara. Also on the bill: Steve Miller and Sweetwater. Active in the L.A. rock scene since forming in 1968, the gig marked the culmination of a year in which Dayspring rose from playing clubs to sharing stages with Blood Sweat & Tears, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Spirit, Ten Years After, John Mayall, Poco, and The Spencer Davis Group.
DAYSPRING:
STEVE NORDGREN - Vocals, Guitar, Hammond B3 Organ
RANDY HILL - Vocals, Lead Guitar
BONNIE BLUNT - Vocals
CRAIG MORLEY - Vocals, Bass
DAVID CANADY - Drums
No recordings of Dayspring have survived. Their original material, mostly written by Nordgren, featured long, intricately arranged instrumental passages with a heavy rock underpinning, topped off by powerful 3-and-4-part harmony vocals.
The music used in this video is an alternate mix of the song, "Woodstock," from the 2-disc compilation, "Carry On" (1991 Atlantic Records). Performed by Crosby Stills Nash & Young, the track was recorded on November 5, 1969, just 4 days before this show.
Photos by JIM LOPPNOW

[@geraldcheatwood3283]

I was there...thanks, I'd forgotten this...

[@NostalgicWallow]

Steve Nordgren passed away on February 15, 2012. I spoke with him for the last time just before he entered the hospice, and he was facing what was to come with incredible courage and grace. He was the heart and soul of Dayspring; a writer, singer, guitarist and keyboardist of exceptional gifts who never received the recognition he deserved. I told him it had been a privilege to play beside him; that was no sentimental b.s. - just the simple truth. Rest in peace, my friend.

[@wmanad8479]

We walk this Earth for a short time before returning whence we came. Some of us leave it a better place for us having passed through. Peace.

[@jameskidwell5427]

Love this song!!!😃

[@jodanna69]

I WAS THERE!!!

[@MaryMcMillan-np8kx]

Best version of this song you tube

[@user-dn6ty6if7k]

これがガロやアルフィーがコピーしていた。初期のクロスビー、スティルス、ナッシｭ&ヤング、特にジョニミッチェルが作ったウッドストックは素晴らしいです

[@Tonetwisters]

Back when music was STILL music. When players could play and singers could vocalize. Probably a four track, maybe an eight track. But no gimmicks, just good talent. This is the studio cut, by the way. I was a six-year guitar veteran by this time and had played MANY band jobs, back when few people could play a guitar. What a great time for music that was ...

[@kendallevans4079]

OK, but the logistics were horrible! OK? You can rhapsodize all you want Mr. Patchouli oil but, at 67 years old I lived though this and it WAS NOT all love and peace and granola! Just look at that fucking stage! It looks like it's ready to collapse, which it might have! The sound, "lighting" (if you can call it that!) toilets, water, food......Security? Ha! Probably more stoned than you were! Folks, wake up......

[@AmadeuCarvalho-ug7hn]

Some how if we come to be until why we can't go on,what we have done wrong, but is never late and we can go on ☮️💟🌹

[@Freberg]

Fascinating shots; too bad we can't hear the band itself. Great work, Craig. Keep your alternative history of Southern California rock scene stuff coming.

[@Relkin50]

@Kenpo. Steve N. Is currently in hospice care in Torrance suffering from stage 4 cancer. Been my friend since back in the day. Randy H. Lives in Altadena with his wife, still plays and works at Guitar Center. You're right, they both should have made it.

[@christianlobbe1159]

Great!!!

[@NostalgicWallow]

Merci bien!

[@marybarnes8423]

LOVE THE SONG OHIO

[@tudariavaldofraga655]

Muito bom mesmo

[@NostalgicWallow]

Obrigado

[@mkl62]

I saw David Crosby in April 1989 at The Boathouse in Norfolk, VA.

[@AlbertoSilvioOrtega]

Tremendos ....❤ supergrupo....desde Argentina 😊

[@FrankChesser]

✌✌✌🎸🎸🎸🎹🎹🎹

[@karishackmann2492]

Dave Canady passed several years ago in Westchester, CA. I happened upon his estate sale and bought several items of his equipment from the sixties. Cymbals, throne, stands etc. I also got a very nice framed photo of the band. I’ll try to post it here when I get a chance.

[@NostalgicWallow]

Sadly, Bonnie died in 2022, joining Steve and David on the journey to whatever lies beyond this life, leaving Randy Hill and me as the last men standing. I'd love to see the photo you mentioned; I have most of the memorabilia for the band, but there's a chance it's something I haven't seen.

[@karishackmann2492]

@@NostalgicWallow I'm new at this. Trying to upload the photo

[@karishackmann2492]

kzbin.info_g8oP_drGhs?si=6v5cHGvyYQYmRIX_

[@karishackmann2492]

This hangs in my mancave

[@NostalgicWallow]

@@karishackmann2492 Thanks for uploading it to your channel. Yes, I have that shot, too; it was taken when we opened for Blood Sweat & Tears and Spirit in Phoenix, Arizona. If you want to see it, and others from that show, watch my video "Dayspring - Blood Sweat & Tears Concert (1969)" The photo you have appears @1:36 in the video.

[@NostalgicWallow]

@kenpo1995: Thanks, and you're right - Steve and Randy were, and still are, immensely talented. They're both on Facebook, should you wish to contact them.

[@NostalgicWallow]

Thanks for the kind words; there's more to come, at least until I run out of photos (almost all of which were taken by my lifelong friend, Jim Loppnow). If you'd like to hear what 1/3 of Dayspring's lead singers sounded like, check out the KZbin video for "Swallow the Sun" by The Love Exchange. Bonnie Blunt fronted that band before joining our group.