Graham Nash on music, David Crosby and Donald Trump

by Cindy C. A. Pereira, Correspondent - NorthJersey.com

 

 

The legendary Graham Nash is coming to the Wellmont Theater in Montclair on July 14, along with English rock guitarist Shane Fontayne.

 

Nash, an English singer-songwriter, was a founding member of the Hollies, a successful British band that rivaled the Beatles in the '60s.

 

He later joined David Crosby and Stephen Stills and eventually, with the addition of Neil Young, they became known as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and released seven studio albums and earned 27 platinum certifications.

 

Nash is now playing more intimate venues. When asked why he is coming to Montclair he said, “I like to play smaller places where I can see people’s eyes, where I can sense that I am communicating and we are making contact.”

 

Nash, who has been interested in music since about the age of 13 said, “There were a lot of kids that got a cheap guitar wanting to attract ladies at parties.”

 

That wasn’t quite the case for him.

 

“I had an incredible passion for music and my mother and father allowed me to do that instead of trying to force me to get a real job,” he explained.

 

He said although most youngsters might be persuaded to do whatever one’s dad or grandparents did such as working at the mines or the mill, he was encouraged to not go for the gold watch.

 

“You know... where you work for a company for 50 years, then when you get to be 65, they pat you on the head, give you a gold watch, and replace you with someone younger and cheaper.”

 

The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, Elvis, Little Richard and Gene Vincent were among the groups he listened to as a kid.

 

“I had been listening to American rock and roll through Radio Luxembourg. When the weather was good the radio waves would make it all the way from Luxembourg to Manchester.”

 

When asked if he was still in touch with Crosby, Stills and Young, he said. “I love Stephen and I love Neil, we’ve got a good relationship. It’s just my trip with Crosby right now. Recently he has treated me awful and I won’t stand for it.” he said about Crosby.

 

When asked if any current artists inspire him he said, “I was instilled with rock and roll fever when I was 13 years old and I still have the same passion,” adding “I don’t listen to a lot of people. I want to make Graham Nash music.”

 

I might start the show with "Bus Stop," Nash said, when asked what he would be playing. “I have hundreds of songs to choose from.”

 

He added that how he was feeling would dictate the setlist.

 

When asked if he had any idea of how he might be feeling in Montclair, his response was rather unexpected.

 

“I will be feeling pissed off, because I am totally [expletive] upset with the Trump administration and what they are doing with America and particularly to American women!”

 

Nash went on to disparage the president’s appointees saying we cannot normalize this presidency which is setting America back 50 years. 

 

While he may not have shared a setlist, Nash did say, “It’s hard to make a dollar lately and the fact that people come to see me is great. I want to give them value for their money. I go out of my way to make sure that when they are leaving they’re smiling.”

 

In what felt like an encapsulated life lesson, Nash said, “Life is so short. Time is really our only currency. Even Bill Gates can’t buy a second of time.”

 

Then, somewhat prophetically, he ended the interview inviting the audience to carpe diem.

 

“Just enjoy the evening because whatever we have done in all our lives -- everything -- which are trillions of actions -- brought us to that moment and we’ve got to enjoy it as much as we can.”