Graham Nash on missing David Crosby, dismay with America: 'I have a right to speak my mind'

Nine songs into a set that already offered “Wasted on the Way,” “Marrakesh Express” and a couple of other classics from the various permutations of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Graham Nash turned solemn.

He put down the guitar he had played most of the show and slid behind an upright piano.

It was time to address the death of David Crosby.

“He was my best friend for 50-odd years and I think we made some really fine music together,” Nash said quietly. “I will remember him every day of my life.”

As the spotlight shone on Nash’s snow-white crown of hair, he bent toward the keyboard and began to play "To the Last Whale: (A. Critical Mass/ B. Wind on the Water),” from 1975’s Crosby & Nash album, “Wind on the Water.”

Crosby, who died in January at age 81, was clearly on Nash’s mind as he played this April night at the Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia.

But in addition to the musical history being performed (“Our House,” “Just a Song Before I Go,” “Teach Your Children”) along with bandmates Shane Fontayne on guitar and Todd Caldwell on keyboards, Nash has another reason to trot his lean 81-year-old frame onto stages around the U.S. through July.

On Friday, Nash releases “Now,” his first studio album in seven years.

Its 13 songs radiate with melody whether he’s sharing biting political commentary (“Golden Idol,” “Stars and Stripes”), reminiscing (“Buddy’s Back”) or turning contemplative (“Right Now,” “A Better Life”).

Nash was forthright as he chatted with USA TODAY last month about his concerns for America, reuniting with fellow Hollies alum Allan Clarke and how he sees Crosby’s face everywhere.

Question: Your new album is so personal and you don’t mince words or thoughts. When did you start putting it together?

Answer: I’m very disappointed in America and particularly Republicans on their insatiable desire to please (Donald) Trump. I don’t understand it. There must be Republicans with brains, but they aren’t using them. I was almost 80 when I started the album. Once I get four or five songs I know I’m on my way. But I’m a great lover of vinyl and I wanted it to be out on vinyl so we had to wait a couple of months.

You have written about and lived through some tumultuous times in history, so does it make you weary to write a song like “Golden Idol”?

It’s just me trying to express what I feel. It’s very obvious what is going on and there are more “golden idols” than Trump. Mitch McConnell, Kevin McCarthy, Ted Cruz – there are a lot of them.

Do you worry about angering a portion of your fan base with a song like that?

Yeah well, I have a right to speak my mind. No one has to agree and no one has to listen. But I live in America and have since 1968 and I love this country. It has its faults, but it has so much more going for it.

On a lighter note, “Buddy’s Back” is a lot of fun. What was it like to collaborate with Allan Clarke again?

It was my pleasure. I wrote the song for his record. I was thinking about those days when we were the Hollies. We named ourselves after Buddy Holly. It was simple music. He wore glasses, he didn’t shake his ass like Elvis, whom I also loved. If you could play three chords on a guitar you could play his songs.

On “Right Now,” you sing “Here I am, still living my life right now,” which is a simple statement, yet quite poignant when you think of what you’ve lost.

I wanted people to understand that even at 80 you can still rock. Wasn’t it Mick Jagger who said, “You can’t trust anyone over 30?” And that was 50 years ago for me! I’m a little concerned that this country doesn’t seem to want to educate its children. It stands by while they’re shot to death by guns. I don’t understand why we can’t have sensible background checks or why anyone would want to use an AR-15, and I think climate change is going to be one of our biggest problems.

So now the inevitable David Crosby question. There was so much acrimony between you for years. Do you feel like it was cruel of the universe to take him right around the time you were starting to make amends?

The universe is a cruel place for sure. It’s been a sad year for me so far. I lost a couple of dear friends, but with Crosby, I’m beginning to really make the choice of trying to remember the good stuff because the bad stuff is not worth it. I want to remember the good music we made we made. I see his face everywhere. I was enjoying on YouTube a performance David and I did of "Guinnevere" on the BBC in 1971. He did leave me a voice mail I’ll never erase saying he wanted to talk. He wanted to apologize for shooting off his mouth about many things, including Neil Young and Daryl Hannah.

Did David tell you he had contracted COVID?

I believe he had it twice. David’s body was in bad shape and he did not take care of it. So whether it was COVID or the seven stents in his heart, who’s to say?

You performed for Joni Mitchell at her Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song concert in March. Have you spoken to her since that night?

I haven’t, but I speak to her as often as I can. I believe that Joni finally realized that night how much she’s loved. I think for many years she felt underappreciated, especially by critics. But I think that night she understood. And let’s give a shoutout to Brandi Carlile for bringing her back.

You’re still sounding quite mellifluous these days. What do you do to preserve your voice?

I have no idea. I don’t do anything but sing; no lessons or anything. Shane and Todd and I will sing a song before we go on stage and make sure we’re on the same page. I’m really fortunate. It’s one of the nice things about being a solo artist. I get to do what I want to do.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Graham Nash sees Crosby's face 'everywhere' as he releases new album