Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Ohio - 11/3/1991 - Golden Gate Park (Official)

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Ohio
Recorded Live: 11/3/1991 - Golden Gate Park - San Francisco, CA
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Personnel:
David Crosby - guitar, vocals
Stephen Stills - guitar, vocals
Graham Nash - guitar, vocals
Neil Young - guitar, vocals, harmonica
Summary:
From the first public Mime Troupe events in 1965 to his untimely death in 1991, Bill Graham set the standard for excellence in concert presentations and in doing so, redefined the art of communication for an entire generation. To honor Bill Graham, Steve Kahn and Melissa Gold, the BGP staff organized a free concert in Golden Gate Park for Sunday, November 3. Mother Nature cooperated and provided a comfortable and cloudless day as 300,000 people gathered in the Polo Field of Golden Gate Park.
Although the Grateful Dead were expected to make an appearance, the list of performers was kept well under wraps and few had any idea who exactly would be performing. It didn't seem to matter though, as the feeling that permeated the crowd was one of quiet reflection. This concert marked the end of an era, but also memorialized Bill Graham in a manner that was fitting - a free concert in the heart of where it all started. The sad circumstances aside, this was truly a celebration of Graham's life and as the poster for this event noted, it was to be a day filled with Laughter, Love and Music.
A rousing welcome greeted the second extended set of the day, which brought together Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. Rarely a polished band onstage, this set is more ragged than usual, but to some degree that is part of the charm of this impromptu performance. There is no rhythm section here; just the four musicians and their distinctive voices. Other than occasional electric guitar work from Stills and Young, the set is instrumentally an acoustic affair, utilizing only guitars and harmonica.
They begin with Nash's anthemic "Teach Your Children," engaging the audience to sing along. Next up is Stills' "Love the One You're With," in a rare acoustic arrangement. The melancholy harmonica intro to Neil Young's "Long May You Run" and the relaxed groove he soon creates on this song is one of the highlights of their set. The lyric and the inherent sadness in Young's vocal seems to resonate and reflect on the day.
Crosby's "Long Time Gone" features some interesting electric lead guitar work from Stills, but ultimately suffers from the lack of rhythm section and Crosby's shouting, as opposed to singing, the vocal. "Southern Cross" fares slightly better, but again it is Neil Young's "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" that brings out the most thoughtful and harmonious interplay.
Recognizing this, they deliver another engaging performance. The vocals are now stronger and the extended jam treatment given to "Wooden Ships" lends itself to some nice interplay between Stills and Young, with Crosby's unique rhythm guitar propelling things along for nearly ten minutes.
They close their set with Neil Young's "Ohio;" a strange choice indeed! This, possibly to Neil's delight, is ragged beyond belief, complete with out-of-tune guitars and extremely ragged vocals. Nonetheless, the audience seems to enjoy it and is soon repeatedly singing "four dead in Ohio," as the group exits the stage.
Following a few brief announcements from Jerry Pompili, he introduces Wavy Gravy, who engages the audience to do their part in cleaning up the park. He ends his brief speech, with "OK. Let's Party!" anticipating the next band to take the stage: the Grateful Dead.

[@merle9482]

I was 17 when this happened . I just turned 70 and this song still hurts my heart

[@MrProfrennie]

Yes. I was 16 and it changed who I became.

[@kristalemon4309]

@@karstenpuder3605 The math matches perfectly.

[@jamesrkrau2481]

I was 5. My mom said that she would not have let me go to Vietnam. I think my flat feet would keep me out. But.. my uncle joined the Marines in 74. His drill instructor served in nam.

[@QuentinDoll]

As told by both Graham and David . David and Neil were up in the California hills at their retreat when Neil heard of the shootings at Kent state. “ Neil grabbed his guitar and went into the woods. He came back 2 hours later and played me Ohio.” David Crosby.

[@globalbeats65]

Rip David Crosby your songs stay in the heart ❤️❤️

[@RichInRaleighNC]

It's actually Neil Young's song

[@sh9019]

David has some amazing songs

[@garbandgulyberdimuhamedow4604]

Literally lmao

[@briancrowe724]

The Guardian called “Ohio” “arguably the perfect protest song: moving, memorable and perfectly timed.”

[@troywoods9523]

What it's worth is cool too!✊✊✊

[@adamcline1311]

Propaganda

[@guineapig4701]

Another good song is "Wake up Everybody" by Harold Melvin and the Blue notes. That song is a wake up call to the world as we know it.

[@MitchRimland]

Just not this live version ! lol

[@montyjackson8156]

@@adamcline1311 What's propaganda Adam the song or the Republithug bullshit.

[@jimnorthrop]

Almost fifty years after this era, i continue to feel such anger at this vain and futile sacrifice of a country’s most precious asset - it’s young. We lost 50,000 of my brothers and sisters on the battlefields of VietNam. We were drafted for two years to fight a pointless war. We were barely in our 20’s, but we were children taught to become killers. After a tour of duty in Nam, we were rotated to Germany,etc. I heard so many stories of those who chose to shoot themselves in their own leg or feet, so they could be taken home, away from all that madness. This tribute by Neil Young for those students who were murdered by our own troops on that Ohio university field expresses my feelings exactly. Four more who died at the hands of madmen who ran a supposedly democratic country. Yet, all these sacrifices - all these lessons - have been lost on America’s current leaders.

[@gdurkee]

Slow salute, sir.

[@MysticMonkeyMiracle]

I met a man who said he was 18 when he was taught to kill unarmed vietnamese people while on lsd for the first time.

[@tylernovak2953]

John P it most certainly. Today’s government is still willing to sacrifice and murder its own citizens. And for what? Profit?

[@kpasa111]

58.000

[@cjgardner8516]

America soon forgets. We need a song like this for 9/11

[@lancem.zeigler6571]

Listening on the anniversary of the tragic day... 05.04. in 2021. Always brings me to tears. Every single version. Every performance.

[@josephboyer3849]

I was at Kent State during the shootings and I was at this concert.

[@jimmywiggians6353]

i'm proud of ya

[@nursemedic17]

Nice to meet you sir...

[@ManuLeMayan]

good for you

[@laurafarina5311]

OMG I just watched the video from Ken Burns Vietnam. I can't imagine having been there that day.

[@unacat09]

I was 15 years old and still one of the darkest days of my life. I walked out of school, sat on the curb of Everdell Avenue and cried. I then went back into school, went to the Administration Office and told them that I was leading the school on a walk out.

[@melissadavis225]

I was born in 1960 celebrating my 55 😂❤ birthday next month...and I was a young adult then but these songs hit me hard my mom use to play this music when I was little.. I love Steve stills. my favorite

[@hollow_dustboot]

"What if you knew her and found her dead on the ground?" Gives me chills every time.

[@seabrooksynthetics]

A lot of people never heard of kent state

[@danimal097521]

What absolutely baffles me is that they found the shooting to be unjustified....and yet not one person who fired a shot faced charges of any kind.

[@SampsonSaintBunrd]

@@danimal097521 I can't agree with you more they should have been accountable that was WRONG on what happened there

[@sexobscura]

@@SampsonSaintBunrd Unfortunately the government has license to kill ubiquitously

[@zekelucente9702]

“How can you run when you know?” Stand up!

[@dillydalie11]

I wonder if History will repeat itself now.. in 2024 ????

[@heideleskun1163]

It's been mentioned. "Let's talk about Biden, Johnson, and the National Guard...." I can't add the link but it's on the tube Beau of the Fifth Column did something on this yesterday.

[@conniegaylord5206]

Not worried about Biden, it's Trump who is talking about sending in the troops. MSNBC Joe is calling protestors white woke priveledge kids. Really? I graduated from High School that year. If I was woke back then so were thousands. Many were unarmed students trying to get to class. What was really sad many National Guard were the same age trying to beat the draft.😢✌✌

[@TitaniaBird]

Its continued relevance is, despite how great of a song this is, downright depressing.

[@thadoc5186]

Nope. The kids back then had something to protest. These kids today are brainwashed schmucks.

[@candyapu3]

Are you saying Vietnam II: Electric Boogaloo?

[@michaelcowley7138]

50 years since Kent State shootings Rest In Peace

[@sharappa]

I was THERE! Only about 70 feet from the stage. Got there around 7am. Amazing Day!

[@wmg1958]

For all you critics...This was a memorial concert for Bill Graham who died unexpectedly in a helicopter crash. It was put together very quickly. I was at this concert, it was a great tribute and we were all happy to be there to honor the man but sad at the circumstances. Bill Graham always gave out apples for free at concerts so that kids attending would get something nutritious to eat. I think CSNY did a good job for what they were asked to do, and probably nobody was feeling too happy in the first place; as anybody who has lost a loved one can tell you it is an emotional time. Good for them and all the other performers who rose to the occasion.

[@Yeahthatsright717]

+Bill Gross Thanks Bill, I was there it was a very bittersweet day to say the least. All these music critics who were not there , really don't know what the hell they are talking about...

[@joshuatrees797]

Bill Graham's Memorial Concert was one of the saddest days of my life - and the greatest, next to the days my children were born. That day I said "I love you" to so many people. And I meant it.

[@kaylaengel3886]

I was there too. An amazing day of bands coming together for a true legend in music

[@adipsous]

I was there that day and this song is a singular memory. The LSD I took kicked in perfectly at this point and I was deeply moved. I didn't understand the implications of this song until then. It was a pivotal day for me, breaking away from a possessive friendship and onto a new path.

[@nickgates4387]

Lol critics? It takes longer to set all that shit up than to tune a guitar….

[@debiclark661]

I am from Ohio and I remember this happening. It was so HORRIBLE!!! Thanks for making a song to remember this horrific day!!! We Love you guys!!!!!!

[@sylphofthewildwoods5518]

They do the same thing. Only they're using programmed ppl from a alphabet soup. And on the other hand, there's plenty of times when I wonder why they didn't do that when it really needs done in certain situations... totally different and viO lent

[@rogerfaultersack722]

Being a Nam Vet, this song should be played for those in DC as a reminder of what the cost is for their mindless decisions.

[@pegasus19541]

i agree with you where are our musicians that supported us during all this gotta revoltion

[@sandyallen5743]

Amen to that!

[@gregkosinski2303]

Well said

[@gerardgallagher1495]

There mom and dad played no music in they house 😢

[@user-zx5ll9pc4v]

My number wasn't called on the lottery so I never went. Thanks for your time in that Mess.

[@fiucik1]

Peace to you all haters of this performance, but I honestly love it. So raw. And guitars out of tune makes is more speciall for me. Amazing solo by Still, I could listen to this all day long. OMG, I am listening to this all day long :D

[@toddmuckelvane1866]

Thank you well said it’s music

[@Kingersvids]

Luv your stuff Neil. fellow canuk here.

[@mikeorr2173]

Bill, I agree with you. Bill Graham was a great man and a great promoter of music

[@cindysomerville4149]

Living in Ohio and a young teen at the time I will never forget that tragic day. This song was perfectly written. RIP David.

[@RobertBeerbohm]

I was there. Just a couple earlier we memorialized my friend and then partner Rick Griffin mid August 1991. Just a few months before that Rick and I were sitting in Bill Graham's office overlooking 5th near Folsom in San Francisco. 1991 turned in to a rough year for some of us.

[@gentleraine480]

Beautiful song; Tragic event. 😭

[@jesdegarcia5843]

I was listening to them when I was seven years old and many many years later I still listen to them great n I mean Great music

[@Cindy-mp8xo]

Not their greatest rendition but these guys are f'n legends. ❤

[@jeffreywright2294]

Thank you David RIP 🙏 Bro

[@ezerlab1]

Vocals and audience saved the day.

[@mikeyoungblood1642]

I love the sound of crazy guitars . The hell with tuned guitars

[@oliverhawkins9126]

Amazing. Wish I could have been to see this.

[@martinpope3835]

One of my most favorite songs of all times....also, sky pilot

[@martykong3592]

:) WOW! STILL bring the sadness and shakes, thinking of the time... Hope we have learned...

[@dew12u]

I love the sound of Neil's Martin D-45. What a great instrument that is!

[@CheyennefromTaos]

✌🏽IM STILL GOING STRONG AS A PEACE ACTIVIST. WAR IS HELL 💔💔💔

[@david.leikam]

I was there, somewhere in the crowd. 😎

[@brooked9952]

i discovered this song from a cover done by Hannah Wicklund (shes amazing go listen to her). It was so moving to listen to them sing it live together.

[@rondinelabreu3830]

bom de mais esse som!

[@eduardoalcala8310]

"I don't mean it to be a downer...It's one of my songs, what can I tell ya" badass!!!

[@Patty.29]

I will Never FORGET

[@mikeyoungblood1642]

The beautiful cacophony of their 3 guitars harmonizing with that first open riff is so exhilarating

[@perlund8399]

Saw them live 75ca roskilde ❤❤❤love this

[@aappotrse]

GREATEST STORY TELLER OF ALL...❤❤❤

[@joeratley1062]

I was a high school sophomore in Muskogee OK. It affected me deeply. RollingStone wrote about it some years back, focusing on the iconic photograph of a young woman kneeling over a wounded student. And how it affected her life going forward. She wasn't a student or even a local, she was just traveling through. No connection to protest. She's lived a tough life since then, staying private and laying low. ☮️

[@jjb.4253]

I was rased in kent and my famly was there when it happed and the first time I remember lesening to this song was when i was 2 yers old

[@markrush5013]

LEGEND!

[@pbrucpaul]

Man, do I ever remember those day's. The college campuses went Ballistic after the bombing of Cambodia sanctuaries, while the troop's on that border were cheering it. Kent State met a Zenith with the media and those photo's were Powerful , as was the Anti-Vietnam war movement. This number really hit the nail on the head with that Melody and Lyric's

[@paulfox1210]

My favourite Neil song, CSN ain't bad either. Live acoustic at its best. CSN&Y x

[@antonioaugustobatista1849]

Grande musico

[@christiepopify]

love protest songs

[@HerrenGamingNews]

Nearly 1 year before my birth! 10/07/1992

[@gilhernandeziii4031]

These guys, need to set aside their grievances against each other and play music one more time for us the fans before their judgment day comes...

[@drugfwpmed]

Judgement Day is here. RIP Mr Crosby.

[@jayehrlich9430]

i don't mean it to be a downer but uh, it's one of my songs, what can i tell ya?? too funny! Niel looks great, a true talent!

[@jasonpeters9716]

Fall of 91... Neil was Godfather of what was happening. Alternative Rock Revolution

[@user-qk5iv7td8e]

I remember that awful day very well.

[@alanwebster357]

THIS RECORD SHOULD HAVE BEEN PLAYED AT NIXON'S FUNERAL?

[@PutDownTheBunny]

And Dylan's "With God On Our Side" at LB Johnson's

[@CheyennefromTaos]

And LBJs too 😠

[@josephboyer3849]

The video sound is not good, but I was there that day and the music was magic. Music filled the air in the park that day. I'm also an old soundman, so everyone with negative comments about the sound, I have to say, were you there?

[@Terminxman]

2:10 That's not from a bad mix

[@Keyboardman88]

Joe. I was at Ferris State College in Big Rapids MI when the shootings happened. 6 of us got into a friends VW bus and headed to Ohio. They stopped us at the city limits.

[@Keyboardman88]

Back then it all about seeing the musicians and hearing the magic they produced. No pitch correction, no special gimmicks...just good music.

[@olivaddavilo9614]

Terminxman - LOL! It takes all of two seconds to reach up and turn a tuning key to bring the string back into tune. Instead, Young chooses to leave the string out of tune as he continues to sledgehammer strum it repeatedly.

[@ulyssesfs]

Esses Caras são foda!!

[@grazianogambesi1987]

Big david...gratis voice...r.i.p.🎸🤟🙏

[@frankcalisi7637]

Yes I was 12 yrs old when this came out ; it was said then 😂that Neil had written this in the studio in about 15 minutes; they then performed and recorded this in less than a few hours ,, that must be some sort of music history ?

[@unicodjavlo]

That flag killed it

[@ScottFoor-jp7fo]

I love the flag

[@lisapearsallmyers8049]

I live in Ohio and it's still sad.

[@vgshwk]

Four souls that were magic on stage but troubled together offstage

[@colbyg1784]

I bet there was confusion on the tuning. On the record its double drop D but every string is tuned down another maybe 1/8 step or something. Not sure if one guitar was tuned to standard pitch and one guitar was tuned to how it was on the record.

[@akt56]

Four of them walking off the stage is symbolic.Besides,is it appropriate to take a bow when you've just sung a mournful song?Also,this was a memorial concert for Bill Graham,not business as usual.As for the performance,the audience felt involved,so it was a success.

[@djroxanne4429]

+akt56 they don't understand ,i agree with you..

[@thenigeriatypernointernets4922]

akt56

[@quartzimaging]

IWT. The event was planned on very short notice, obviously. None of the acts had time to rehearse so it is forgivable that so many of them sounded shabby. I remember CSNY sounding especially bad but it was great to see them together anyway. RIP Bill Graham and Friends.

[@kargad3]

Am i still trippin or would those guys have said no to a rebel flag flying in this video?

[@colesizemore3849]

Prob not at the time before people started complaining in 2009 or whatever. Prob didn’t think anything of it then lol

[@jonnybirchyboy1560]

@@colesizemore3849 That’s not true, Tom Petty flew a confederate flag during his tour in 1985 and instantly regretted it, just a couple years later he was telling people in the crowd not to bring any more rebel flags because it was becoming a problem.

[@lancem.zeigler6571]

Neil especially. Just listen to Southern Man an it will leave no doubt in your mind.

[@tomgardner8825]

yeah you're trippin'!

[@johnpiela5197]

this music gives me the chills and i think we in 2016, need this type of protest music now to send chills down the spines of the monsters who stole our government

[@PeckerBrown]

Welcome to Summer 2020.

[@antifafootmxn2788]

How do you steal what you never lost?

[@paperrocks]

Trump will rise again u fool

[@BunkerBlog]

"Stole" as in "elected"?

[@sandyallen5743]

I agree....now the mfrs called HUD are threatening seniors and Vets that we better stop smoking cigarettes in our slumlord apt housing..OR they're going to fuckin EVICT us!!! WHO the fuck do they think they are? They should mind their own fuckin business and LIVE AND LET LIVE!!!!! WHATS NEXT? Our internet ?

[@cathycarthy6271]

3 of my friends were at Kent State when this happened. One of them, knew the victim, and later went on the lecture about the incident.

[@nicholasheath9920]

what an important song for equality

[@marycraighead4786]

Amen to that

[@oliveraguilar1115]

Crosby be preachin ..

[@brianjames2549]

What can I tell you - not much has changed, hence the pathos! How many more?

[@ranabirgahir462]

WOW 🤩 LUVLI

[@dmaxhd1]

whats all you critics bands names?

[@nursemedic17]

:LOL

[@johncook7281]

Good point.

[@sandyallen5743]

Jealousy is ugly.

[@raymondbronk4136]

tears..........................

[@lorihill3531]

Neil's trying so hard to keep it together; the other three are asleep.

[@jaynelson8288]

ugh. Luckily Neil has long recovered.

[@tspriggsabq]

Binaca was Neil Young's inventions. After singing with David Crosby. DC got a free lifetime supply. JK. Love all four of you!

[@MeltedPearls]

#MemorialDay2017 #RememberThemAll

[@yourworstnightmare8745]

For those who says this sucks, well, what do you except for huge anti-war protestors, during the Woodstock gatherings, high as a kite, playing this? They were so high, they thought it sounded good, and to hear it now, is actually, just as good sounding as it was back when they made it.

[@grantnelson]

Good reminder to always tune your guitars before you start playing

[@oliverdrummond5146]

Sounds funny but still loving it

[@lorihill3531]

Steven Still's guitar is all wrong! What happened?

[@charlie-obrien]

The victims of the student massacre at Kent State, would have been just near or entering their early 40's when this performance took place. They would now be in their 70's after living full lives. But now all that has been left of them for us over the last 50 years is the tragic reality of 4 young people cut down in the flower of their youth. Why? Have we learned anything at all? God have mercy on us if we haven't.

[@beachdog67]

Well said.

[@garyroy6497]

0:15 that angle looks so cool

[@ScottFoor-jp7fo]

I was born in February of that year

[@terrywagner]

❤

[@heatherflint1936]

4)24)20👀 0hiO here ♥️

[@scottfoor6748]

I wasn't born thin but I lost my dad love u dad Robert L Foor staff sgt in air force

[@alainthors7410]

RIP CROSBY +

[@waxedtaters]

them boys protest war, rightly. lets see peace and love between them again.

[@edpas007]

Rip David

[@leosunrising]

CSNY best of all time. Although Zep best band ever too. Two very different styles.

[@user-et7gi5nq7p]

Nice)

[@felixmadison5736]

I was recovering from my third surgery at Fort Devens army hospital on that day, and I'll never forget it. There were about 30 of us GIs in the hospital ward watching the news on t.v. Having been in the hospital since being wounded in Vietnam in December of 1969, I couldn't believe what I just saw and heard. Getting shot to death by national guardsmen, (tin soldiers) at home here in America because they were peaceably protest against the 'conflict' in Vietnam was insanity. There were protests nationwide, but the crazy right wing nuts thought Nixon was right in our involvement. Reagan was governor of California at the time, and three weeks before Kent State, he said that if we have to have a bloodbath to stop the protests, then let's get it over with. The GOP hasn't changed much.

[@RayManzarekRocks]

Just think: If John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson hadn't put us knee deep in Nam quicksand, Kent State would have never happened.

[@clblanchard08]

Nixon kept it going on purpose in an attempt to secure reelection, which we all know didn't go so well for him.

[@sandyallen5743]

So true, brother.

[@salty2667]

Best sunglasses

[@who301tent415]

They were up there crying.

[@acorpulentman]

How many more?

[@zekelucente9702]

CSNY was the best because of Young’s songwriting, but the CSN harmonies were incredible and Crosby was a force. I saw Neil Young in ‘79 and CSN in ‘90.

[@davidlanham99]

God, tune the guitar!

[@nbcouch]

it's Stills, he's so far off...

[@helpus546]

This song is about 4students being murdered by national guard in my hometown Kent Ohio and you're concerned with tuning the guitar?! Priorities surely different then mine! Obama just refused to reopen the investigation although there is clear audio of commands to shoot! Which they always denied! 🙏🏻☮❤️

[@davidlanham99]

+Kristina Marie Open the investigation from 1970 lol? It's hilarious being lectured by kids telling me about this song, i remember good ole' Nixon. Too liberal, but a man's man.

[@helpus546]

+David Lanham I'm not a kid and if it was your family how tf would you feel?!?! There is audio PROVING nat guard given commands to shoot but nope Obummer refuses!

[@davidlanham99]

+Kristina Marie if they're not going to impeach Obama over losing Iraq two years ago, i doubt they're going to do anything about Kent State after 46 years. I just wish people would tune their guitars.

[@ladyfuschia4729]

See the mini series "The 60's" Kinda like being there.

[@seannorman9169]

Funny thing is,, We still have no idea how the shooting started and why they use live rounds??... 😧😧😧😧😧😧😧😧😧😧😧😧😧😧😧😧 To all four young student

[@StrivingTowardsWhatIsAhead]

RIP Bing Crosby

[@missmeww2]

Well this certainly age well. Apparently Neal has had a change of heart when it comes to freedom of speech.