On This Day 1969, Crosby, Stills & Nash Released Their Self-Titled Debut Album 

In the early, mid, and late 1960s, Graham Nash, Stephen Stills, and David Crosby were all successful solo acts. However, by the time 1968 rolled around, they decided to forgo their solo careers and start something truly magical. That magical thing was Crosby, Stills & Nash, better known as CSN. Formed in 1968, CSN started in Laurel Canyon, California, after a chance encounter at a Joni Mitchell party.

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While at the party, the three discovered that their voices harmonized perfectly together. Consequently, CSN was born, and rock ‘n’ roll got one of its greatest supergroups of all time. Thanks to each member’s successful solo career, the anticipation surrounding their debut album was high. They delivered on that anticipation with the release of their debut self-titled solo album, which was released on this day, May 29, 1969.

CSN Was a Hit Right Off The Bat

CSN’s debut album was a sweeping and monster success, both in terms of chart and general rock ‘n’ roll influence. Regarding charts, the album itself peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and remained on the chart for 107 weeks. Furthermore, it hosted the two top 40 singles, “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” and “Marrakesh Express”. It has since been certified quadruple Platinum by the RIAA.

Concerning commercial success, the album also scored CSN the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1970. Though the impacts of their album expand far beyond any tangible milestones. In addition to the two top 40 singles, the album also includes iconic songs such as “Helplessly Hoping”, “Long Time Gone”, and the David Crosby masterpiece, “Guinnevere”. Matter of fact, Crosby’s “Guinnevere” helped introduce the music industry to the EBDGAD tuning. This ultimately helped inspire a plethora of different artists to utilize experimental tunings.

Other than those facts, many people have cited this album as one of the greatest albums of all time. Matter of fact, Rolling Stone ranked it at No. 161 on their “500 Greatest Albums of All Time List.” Following the release of this album, CSN became CSNY with the addition of Neil Young just a year later in 1969. Following that addition, the band split for the first time in 1970. Years later, CSN, without Young, released the other smash hit album, CSN. Though it all started on this day, May 29, 1969, with the release of their debut album, Crosby, Stills & Nash.

Photo by Andrew Putler/Redferns