The various squabbles and ego-clashes between the members of this notoriously volatile band are also explored in particular detail, including the reunion attempts — both successful and unsuccessful — over the years with Neil Young. What becomes clear when reading these accounts however is that the sometime friction between them actually was an ultimate factor in what gave the band its unique chemistry.
The competitive nature between Young and guitarist Stephen Stills is paid particular mind, revealing how the clashing egos of the two guitarists would urge them on towards greater musical heights, particularly on the concert stage. What also becomes clear in reading this very personal glimpse into the lives of these musicians, is that ultimately their friendship binds them together in a way that borders on brotherhood.
What fans of this band will probably find most interesting here however, is the way that Zimmer breaks down the various incarnations of the band — including both solo projects and combinations like Crosby/Nash and the Stills Young Band — down into the most minute details.
A passage about the strange solo tour Stephen Stills did with the Memphis Horns after the release of his second solo album was one I found of particular interest, as I was actually present at the opening night show in Seattle. Stills played the show, despite clearly being drunk out of his mind. To this day I remember when Stills announced that "I'm so drunk I couldn't hit Kate Smith in the ass with a bag of rice" to the crowd of about 3000. Zimmer tells this story, and so many more, in an engaging and easy-to-read, matter-of-fact style that literally puts the reader right there.
For both CSN&Y fans and students of American music history, Crosby Stills & Nash: The Biography (Updated 40th Anniversary Edition) is an essential read.
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