Stephen Stills is best known for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

Beginning his professional career with Buffalo Springfield, he composed their only hit “For What It’s Worth,” which became one of the most recognizable songs of the decade. Other notable songs he contributed to the band were “Sit Down, I Think I Love You,” “Bluebird” and “Rock & Roll Woman.” According to Richie Furay, he was “the heart and soul of Buffalo Springfield.”

After Buffalo Springfield broke up, Stills began working with David Crosby and Graham Nash on their debut album. Stills, in addition to writing much of the album, played bass, guitar, and keyboards on most of the album. The album sold over four million copies and at that point, had outsold anything from the three members’ prior bands: The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, and The Hollies. The album won the trio a Grammy Award for Best New Artist. Glenn Frey stated, “CSN hung the moon. They were like the Beatles for about two years.”

Stills has released over 10 albums and along with the rest of the band and Neil Young went on to record and release 8 studio albums and 5 live recordings.

Music correspondent Mal Reding caught up with Stills in his hotel room in Toulouse, France while the band were touring Europe as part of their Allies tour.

Whilst this conversation reflects on some aspects of the “Allies” tour it also focuses in some part on Stills’ long-standing political interests, which began when he was a student in the 1960’s.

Photo by Eddi Laumanns.