Why Crosby and Nash’s Vocals Were Removed From The Stills-Young Band’s 1976 Hit “Long May You Run”

Before there was Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, there was Crosby, Stills & Nash. And before that, four bands helped define 1960s pop rock. David Crosby of The Byrds, Graham Nash of The Hollies, and Stephen Stills of Buffalo Springfield formed a group after discovering they harmonized well during a performance in 1968. Together as Crosby, Stills & Nash, they released a self-titled album on May 29, 1969. It generated two hits, “Marrakesh Express” and “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes”. Following this release, the new group anticipated touring and recruited Stills former Buffalo Springfield bandmate, Neil Young. In August 1969, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young performed together at the historic music festival, Woodstock.

The group released a second album, Déjà Vu, in 1970, which was their first with Young. It hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and generated three hit singles. They followed up with a live album in 1971, 4 Way Street. In 1974, they released So Far, a compilation of singles and B-sides that hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart. CSNY embarked on a stadium tour in 1974 and anticipated another album, but it never materialized. At the time, the guys weren’t getting along, so they aborted the tracks for the new record. Crosby and Nash continued working together, while Stills and Young focused on their own solo careers.

Then in 1976, Stills and Young decided to pick up where they left off with Buffalo Springfield. The two started working on a new set of songs together. Surprisingly enough, Crosby and Nash were interested in the material and decided to join. After two years, it appeared CSNY were now working on a reunion record.

How the CSNY Reunion Record Was Abandoned, Along With The Stills-Young Band Tour

Crosby and Nash were contractually obligated to finish their own record by a deadline. They left the recording sessions in Miami to finish their album Whistling Down The Wire, which was released in 1976. Stills and Young responded to this by removing their vocals and musical contributions from the Long May You Run tracks. In response to this, Crosby and Nash vowed never to work with either again. Ultimately, this wouldn’t be the case as a mere two years later, Crosby, Nash, and Still reunited and released CSN in 1977.

The Stills-Young Band released Long May You Run on September 20, 1976. It peaked at No. 26 on the Billboard 200. The album’s lead single, “Long May You Run”, peaked at No. 34 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and No. 28 in Canada. This would be the only release by the duo, as the supporting tour was a disaster. Tensions flared, which led to Neil Young’s tour bus unexpectedly heading in a different direction in South Carolina. He sent Stills a telegram to Atlanta, stating, “Funny how things that start spontaneously end spontaneously. Eat a peach, Neil.” Stills was then forced to finish the tour alone, and their friendship was tarnished in the years following.

Stills and Young have since mended their relationship and reunited many times. In April 2025, the two reunited at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles for the Light Up The Blues benefit concert. Together they performed the Buffalo Springfield classic “For What It’s Worth” and the CSNY song “Helpless”.

Photo by Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns