Did You Know...

By the time Cass Elliot and Joni Mitchell made the fateful introductions, all three men had significant careers under their belts. David Crosby, born in 1941 in Los Angeles, helped found the Byrds, then left after frequent affronts to his artistic integrity. Stephen Stills, born in 1945 in Dallas, had sung for the Buffalo Springfield, logging a Top Ten single in 1967 with 'For What It's Worth (Stop, Hey, What's That Sound).' Englishman Graham Nash, born in 1942 in Blackpool, was a founding member of the Hollies. Altogether, the trio racked up 15 Top 40 hits, including two #1 classics for the Byrds, 'Mr. Tambourine Man' and 'Turn! Turn! Turn!'.

Since all three had left stressful band experiences, it was not surprising that they maintained a loose association, or that the strife among them actually magnified itself as time went on. What did surprise all three was how exquisite their harmonies sounded from the first time they sang together at Cass Elliot's house (or at Joni Mitchell's, depending on whose memory you trust).

Choosing to go the folk-music route, the trio recorded an album, Crosby, Stills & Nash, which included two 1969 hits, 'Marrakesh Express' and 'Suite: Judy Blue Eyes,' written for Judy Collins. The trio's instant popularity led to their winning the 1969 Best New Artist Grammy Award.