May 29, 1969: Crosby, Stills and Nash Release Debut Album
The term “supergroup” gets bandied about a little too often these days, and while Cream is often credited as being the very first “supergroup” in rock, it can be argued Crosby, Stills & Nash were the first to truly exemplify its meaning.
They were three different musicians from three different notable ‘60s bands that each brought something different to the table in order to produce something bigger than they could alone.
That “something bigger” was the group’s self-titled debut, and with its two top 40 hits (“Marrakesh Express” and “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes”) Crosby, Stills & Nash used elements of folk, country and some ridiculous harmonies to cut through the loud, face-melting guitars of the time.
The influence of Crosby, Stills & Nash can be heard throughout the ‘70s through various singer-songwriters like Joni Mitchell and Jackson Browne and groups, like The Eagles. While the success of these acts doesn’t lie completely in the hands of CS&N, there is no doubt that this trio and album helped open the door and make it possible.
Erica Banas is a rock/classic rock blogger that loves the smell of old vinyl in the morning.
