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Graham Nash

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Graham Nash was born in 1942 in Blackpool and grew up in Salford, near Manchester. As early as 1955 he sang in a duo with his schoolfriend Allan Clarke. In the early 1960s the two founded The Hollies, one of the most successful English pop groups. The group became known for three-part harmony singing and simple pop songs, influenced by Buddy Holly and The Everly Brothers. Nash often sang the middle sections and was lead singer on On a Carousel and Carrie Anne (1967), among others. He encouraged the group to write songs of their own.

Music and breakthrough

On a tour of America he got to know David Crosby of The Byrds and Stephen Stills of Buffalo Springfield. In 1968 he left The Hollies and formed Crosby, Stills & Nash with them. Their debut album brought a Grammy for Best New Artist. In 1969 Neil Young joined. Nash wrote many of the group's biggest hits, such as Marrakesh Express and Teach Your Children, which The Hollies had earlier turned down, and Our House, about the house in Laurel Canyon that he shared with Joni Mitchell. Later he worked a great deal as a duo with Crosby.

Influence

Nash has a light tenor voice. His songs are mostly simple and melodic. In California he became politically active, with songs against the Vietnam War such as Military Madness and Chicago, and later with campaigns against nuclear power. Within the often quarrelling group he was known as the diplomat who held everything together. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Our House by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and notice the harmony singing. Hear how the voices lie close together and form a single sound, with Nash's light voice as lead singer.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

See also

Categories: Artists