Why Nash sang Bus Stop

MANILA, Philippines - It was about an hour before the Crosby, Stills and Nash concert started at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last March 16 and promoter Renen de Guia of Ovation Productions gathered about 20 music enthusiasts, including legendary disc jockeys, for an exclusive handshake and photo session with the visitors.

Joe Mari Chan, Danee Samonte, Long Tall Howard, Bobby Zialcita, Charlie Ysmael, Bob Magoo, Cousin Hoagy, Stoney Burke and Nonoy Tan were among the lucky ones herded to a lounge at the Araneta back-stage area for the reception. I managed to squeeze in, too, holding a copy of Nash’s book Wild Tales.

Renen laid out the rules of the meet-and-greet clearly before the celebrated trio — David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash — entered the lounge. No selfies, no requests for autographs. Ovation had a couple of photographers to take care of business so the promise was transmittal via Facebook or e-mail. We were brought in by batches. I was in the first group.

Stills and Nash with Ovation Productions’ Renen de Guia

Nash walked in ahead of the others and went straight to our queue, shaking hands one by one with each of us, until he was told by Renen of the arrangements. Then, Nash joined Crosby and Stills in a line fronting a tarp tattooed with Ovation’s logo. We joined them for pictures. I stood beside Nash, holding up his book. After the picture-taking, Nash volunteered to autograph my book but was advised not to. The protocol was not to do autographs during the meet-and-greet. Nash whispered to wait for him outside the lounge. I went against the rules and threw a quick question at Nash before exiting for the next batch to move in. “What took you so long to come to the Philippines?” I asked. He replied, “Yeah, I know, it’s crazy.”

Back in the ‘60s when the British Invasion took the world by storm, nearly every major act from that era made its way to the Philippines, including The Beatles, Dave Clark Five, Zombies, Herman’s Hermits, Freddie and the Dreamers, Peter and Gordon and The Searchers. The notable exceptions were the Rolling Stones, Kinks and Hollies.

When the reception was over, Nash found me waiting outside the lounge. His son Will came up, took my book and opened it to the title page. He also brought out a signing pen for his father. Nash wrote “Thanks, Graham Nash,” asked for my name and scribbled “Quinito.” As he walked to his dressing room, I struck up a casual conversation and asked if the group performed any songs by The Hollies.

“Occasionally, we do Bus Stop,” replied Nash who performed with the Manchester pop band from 1963 to 1968. I mentioned that if he sang it, the crowd would go wild. “Really?” he said. At that instant, Nash turned over to guitarist Shane Fontayne who was close by and said, “Shane, we’re doing Bus Stop tonight.”

Sure enough, in the second half of the show, Nash sang Bus Stop with Fontayne accompanying on guitar and no other back-up musicians. Bus Stop charted No. 5 in the US and UK and was a huge hit in the Philippines in 1966. Bus Stop wasn’t in the set list when Crosby, Stills and Nash began their Asian tour with five gigs in Japan starting last March 5. From Japan, they came to Manila then did a show in Singapore last March 19.  Bus Stop was retained for the Singapore gig. The group opens a 12-show US tour on April 29.

Bus Stop didn’t exactly bring the house down that night at the Araneta. The crowd was probably into the ‘70s sound more than the ‘60s. But still, a good number sang along, much to Nash’s delight. A much bigger number sang long verses of Our House and Teach Your Children, two Nash compositions, during the performance. Nash appeared to be surprised, pleasantly, how popular his hits were with the Filipino audience.

Nash, 73, is the leader and voice of the band even as Crosby, 73, and Stephen, 70, are stars in their own right. Crosby was with The Byrds and Stills, with Buffalo Springfield before they formed a “supergroup” in 1969. Age hasn’t been kind to Stills’ voice which is now croaky and a little out of control. But Stills’ guitar wizardry was evident from start to finish. Crosby can still belt it out with power, unaffected by cocaine abuse and serving time in prison. Nash’s harmony remains impeccable, no doubt sharpened by the three-part chorus which he turned into an art form with Allan Clarke and Tony Hicks during their Hollies days. Fortunately, he hasn’t adjusted his pitch to a lower level and can hit the high notes with little strain on the chords. 

At the Araneta, it was significant that Crosby, Stills and Nash performed on the Big Dome’s 55th anniversary. The celebration called for a big act and the “supergroup” was a perfect fit.  

Crosby, Stills and Nash turned out an unforgettable performance backed by Fontayne on guitar, Kevin McCormick on bass, Steve DiStanislao on drums and Todd Caldwell and James Raymond on keyboards. Nash introduced Fontayne as a crack guitarist who has performed with Bruce Springsteen and Sting, Raymond as the producer of Crosby’s new album Croz and Caldwell as the late Buddy Holly’s townmate from Lubbock, Texas.

First on the set list was a rousing version of Carry On/Questions then it was Chicago followed by Long Time Gone, Southern Cross, Just A Song Before You Go, Delta, Don’t Want Lies, Marrakesh Express, Critical Mass/Wind On The Water, Our House, Déjà Vu and Blackbird. After a 20-minute intermission, the band was back with Helplessly Hoping, Girl From The North Country, Bus Stop, Guinnevere, For What It’s Worth, Almost Cut My Hair, Wooden Ships and three encores, Love The One You’re With, Teach Your Children and Suite Judy Blue Eyes. Stills struggled for the most part with his vocals but had the crowd on its feet with Love The One You’re With and a redeeming rendition of Suite Judy Blue Eyes. Crosby was a steady rock-like presence on stage while Nash was the glue that kept it all together, his boundless energy and harmony mesmerizing an audience of young and old. The show went for nearly three hours and the big crowd could’ve stayed longer if the band obliged. That’s how Crosby, Stills and Nash resonated, never mind Stills’ croaky voice.