Joni Mitchell breaks up with David Crosby in the most brutal (and classic) way 

When you cheat on a woman multiple times and get caught (all the while thinking you won't get caught), you should count yourself lucky that all she did was write a song and sing it to you twice. Hubris.

Grew up with these folks. Hard getting old, watching them leave. Miss those days so badly.

Being 69 years old, I'm so glad I lived thru that time. It was definitely the greatest time for music.

The 'background' photos in this clip are amazing. Peter Tork, Mama Cass, David Geffen, and more. Great story too!

These were the best times for musicians, incredible lyrics and great talent . We’ll never see it again.

This misses a few essential points. Firstly, that Joni and Nash stayed together two years after meeting and loved each other very much, and that there was a CSN before there was a CSNY. And finally, Joni has fully recovered from her brain aneurysm.

Just a little clarification. They didn't form Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. They formed Crosby, Stills & Nash in 1968. They released their debut album "Crosby, Stills & Nash" in May of 1969. After the release of the album they realized they needed another player for touring. They reached out to Eric Clapton, he said no. Stills and Nash traveled to England to recruit Steve Winwood. He turned them down. Neil Young was suggested by Ahmet Ertegun, president of Atlantic records. Stills and Young had been band mates in Buffalo Springfield. Neil had already established a solo career and had relasesed two LP's "Neil Young" in November 1968 and "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere" in May 1969. Neil joined the band early in 1969 and their first album as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, "Deja Vu" was released in March of 1970. Simultaneously while recording "Deja Vu" Neil young was also recordng his third album "After the Gold Rush" released in "September 1970" Jimi Hendrix referred to CSN as “trippy Western sky music”.

Joni Mitchell has got me through some of the worst times in my life with her beautiful voice and wonderful words. My favourites are all her earlier albums, made when I was just a child. I was introduced to her in my twenties (I’m 57 now) and her music is the enduring love of my life, and her songs play in my head and on my lips when I am happy, too. I’m so glad she is recovered from her aneurysm - I will be devastated when her time to leave comes.

Laurel Canyon must have been to modern folk and rock music, like Florence was to the renaissance in visual arts. The singers and songwriters that populated that area in that era were truly magical. The music and harmonies that flowed, are timeless.

Joni's album "Blue" got me thru the toughest period of my life up to that time - when I joined the Navy at 17, in 1970. First time on my own, away from home - strange places - even stranger strangers. Her musical chronicle of transiting dark times of the soul gave me the perspective and hope I lacked, and needed desperately. I never met her, but saw her live a number of times - my favorite being at Phila. Academy of Music. When I moved to LA in '75, I did my own Canyon discovery thing in Sierra Madre, Topanga, and Bell - and those were some sweet, amazing times. I wholeheartedly agree with Crosby's (RIP) assessment of her, in every way - check out her live performance of "Woodstock" (live In-Studio 1970) - I can't think of anyone else in my lifetime who could write and perform like that. As for brutal, I'll go with her "The Magdalene Laundries". And giving credit where due - Bob Dylan owns that category for me; see "Positively 4th Street", and "Just Like A Woman". Thank You, Joni Mitchell - love you always.

Thank you for this beautiful tribute. It’s heart-breaking when a member of a cherished band dies, because you know they’ll never sing together as a band ever again. CSN&Y had the most exquisitely beautiful harmonies. They transported you to an intimately sacred space in time where it felt safe and where there was beauty & love.

I'd known David Crosby since we were kids preforming in the North Beach coffee houses. "David Crosby had one of the sweetest voices any of us ever heard - even people who did not want to talk to David wanted to sing with him." That's the best thing I ever said about David Crosby. RIP Brother....jt

I have always loved Joni and her music and paintings!!

RIP my Idol David...🙏🙏🙏 Your songs (CSN&Y) had been part of me since my teenage....you're always be remembered....😥♥️

Graham Nash wrote "Our House" recorded on the CSN album Déjà Vu (1970) describing domestic bliss living with Joni Mitchell, and I imagine that that must have been a difficult song for David Crosby to perform.

will always remember David the voice the harmony rip yr magnificent

David is brilliantly gracious about the whole thing. Respect.

I was around when these people were young and virile, bought many of their albums as original releases. I could never imagine how unsettling it would feel to see them growing old and passing away, one after another.

I recently saw Jim Messina of Loggins & Messina perform. He was a member of the Laurel Canyon scene, guitar player, songwriter, producer. Jim kindly came back on stage after the show for Q&A and was asked who was the most talented person you've worked with and he said Joni Mitchell who he said showed up 19 or so with David Crosby to work on her first album with 19 or so amazing songs...

Joni and Joan…the songs of my life. I’m 77 now. I cried when David died. The duets he sang with you re burned. Into my soul. Yours are my hymns. I love you for what you have shared with us. Thank you beyond words. 🙏🏼

Fifty years back, when I was young and carless, I skipped ahead of an old woman waiting to be served at a deli. She cracked me on the head with her cane and said, "You gotta be tough when you're old" Truer words more now than ever. When all your friends are gone, just memories, like an old song.

So well made, thank you so much for your work!

I was picking people out of all the photos...damn, I'm getting old!

As an FM DJ in LA since the late 1960s, I sort of grew up with them over the years, although not personal friends. Met them a few times, usually involving concerts or recording. Still love them all.

Thanks for the background Info! Rest in Peace David 🙏✨️

" I don't get along very well with her anymore but I will always love her." How many of us can say the same thing about people we've known and loved in our lives? I'm going to guess virtually everyone.

We are so privileged to have lived alongside these wonderful people. Their music is such a gift.Thank you and RIP David Crosby. ☘

Thank you! Ralph, That was a wonderful and interesting time to be alive to experience the talent that made us dream. Many thankfully are still with us, many still working to keep that flame alive from the spirit of the late 60s and early 70s. 8 track tapes, vinyl records, AM radio, Wolf Man Jack screaming with "50, 000 Watts of Boss Soul Power" with his power tower just over the border in Mexico to escape the clutches of the FCC. It was awesome! Thanks again for the story, it was a fun story. A lot better than the TV I have grown to detest.

It's hard losing the best of the best but we can be thankful for recordings as those will go on and on.

Terrific photos and video clips, well organized- love that b/w

I followed Crosby on Twitter and he often comes off like a real jerk. It was SO good to hear him give Joni her due. He didn't say FEMALE singer/songwriter, but greatest one of his time. That is so true. She's incredible. I found out through this video that Crosby died. How did I miss that?

Great video, very interesting to see all the connections between all those super talented people. Joni Mitchell is without doubt, a musical goddess.

You have a great voice for those kind of video content , long live your channel !

Loved Joni' s music. " hey Blue" says it all about Nash, especially the line about "... Acid booze and ass, needles guns and grass..lots of laughs... Lots of laughs..." Says it all. It was a cathartic lyric for Joni.

Hats off to Crosby for stating a fundamental truth. It is hard to think of a better songwriter, musician and singer than Joni Mitchell. She was also second to none as a performer. Heads and shoulders above Dylan as a poet, in my own view. I still worship her music. She's also tough as nails, more power to her for that.

Love Joni Have so much gratitude for his statement about her , so sincere and humble even though I agree for the most part, David and his other legendary bandmates weren't to shabby themselves , it's so incredible that all these artist were and are fortunate enough to have cross paths . He passed a few days after my favorite guitarist of all time Jeff Beck and a few weeks after the one and only Christine McVie it has been such a sad and difficult time in music history but a reminder of what these wonderful artist contributed to the world and for everyone to keep on keeping on with our own journey in music and in life bc this is the age of one of the most spectacular generations of musicians to start to transcend to the next phases and dimensions of all existence ,we will continue to have to say goodbye to these legends and just learn to appreciate what we once had and will always have recorded in the history of the art and universal language of music. what would life be without it ? !!!

Thanx for this. Cool how David still loved Joni "with all his heart" after all these years. Truly a wonderful man with a big heart. Missing you already Croz (as I'm sure many are). but you'll always be right here with me on my journey. Thx for all the great memories. ✌️

I was at a Graham Nash concert some years ago and he was still going on about Joni Mitchell breaking his heart so she could establish her own career. He said Crosby told him he had a friend he thought Graham should meet and it was true love when he met her. Funny thing, is my 1st love and I had split after a bad motorcycle accident at the same time his album Songs for Beginners came out and I would always get sad listening to it. Turned out those sad songs were about Joni dumping him.

So glad to have found your channel🔥

Rest your Soul in Peace 🌻🕊☮🌻🕊🎶🎸🌻🎶 David Crosby

What an era! When I moved to SF in the 80's, that vibe still hung in the air. Just everywhere, parks, the old victorian apts, the cafes, you could just imagine the scene. WOW! That would have been such an awesome time to be alive.

I had no idea this song was about David Crosby . WOW . And its always been my favorite song , but I first heard it sung by Bonnie Raitt in the 1970 s . never even knew Joni wrote it until years later ! I must confess that Bonnies rendition is and always will be the perfect fit for this song . Bonnie has lived it a few times, I can hear it in her vocals , she owns it . imo) 🙏🏼RIP David Crosby . He was the one who brought Joni to the rest of us , I feel . 🤩🕺🙌🏻🫶🏼🙏🏼👏🏼🥰

Thanks so much for the excellent content.

RIP David. You will be missed forever.

beautiful doc - thanks!

My heart is so much a part of David and SN&Y . I’m old now but my sons even appreciate the unforgettable feelings and songs of the Four guys that changes The Hippie Revolution!👍✅

Glad he recognizes she’s the greatest songwriter of all time. Period.

Blue is a great album. I am lucky to have grown up with this music, and to have had a music radio career. I have to give a shout out to an old friend who is missed….Gene Shay, a founder of the Phila Folksong Society.

I also wanted to say that David lived a long life for what he lived through 🙏 🙏

This was a fantastic listen thank you

I would not call it brutal. It was graceful, elegant. And more than he deserved. But at least we got Midway out of such grace.

RIP David, just days ago it seems. This video is how I found out. Joni is pretty much singular as a creative musician.

Rip David. It’s going to take me a long time to get over this , if I ever do .

When I saw Joni Mitchell with Van Morrison and Bob Dylan, she really stole the show! It was so lovely to see the three of them sing “My Back Pages” together. “Ah, but I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now…”

The music...the voice...the art...the uncopyable unique one of a kind style...what a gal...🖖

Joni was a genius! Plain and simple! Thank you Joni! You gave us so much music!

Before she knew any of them she was married to a folk singer named Chuck Mitchell. He was a good friend of my parents, a good person, and a really good singer songwriter in his own right. Hence the Mitchell of joni Mitchell.

Fabulous, thank you. ❤❤❤❤NSW AUSTRALIA 🌸🌺💝

Good video, and accurate. I've never been the biggest Crosby fan but his interview with Stern was hilarious, and his feelings about Joni, in spite of the fact that they no longer got along before Crosby died, are admirable. I gained new respect for Crosby from watching this video, and you gained a new subscriber.

man...time don't fly, it leap's and bound's....were does the time go?? Joni's words/music helped me see by listening...she is a genus hope to see her on tour soon

Its alway good to hear, that someone has put the story correctly and not the fake crap we see power days, thanks FB

Blessing to the world. RIP David. We will always be grateful to God for you.

Look at the picture at 5:46. Am I nuts or is that John Kay of Steppenwolf way down on the end? By the way, I grew up on Joni's music and I still love it today.

I saw Crosby's 2019 movie directed by Cameron Crowe. Crosby said "No one who ever made music with me will speak to me". The Question Mr Crowe left out of the 2 hour movie was to ask Crosby "WHY?" He did not. Crosby said he was able to help Joni after her long illness. He seemed to have made restitution.

Very much enjoyed this. Thank you for sharing.

Awesome, informative share, my friend! Packed full of great stuff! ✨💖

He’s right about Joni being the greatest singer songwriter of our time. She’s the best. It hard to decide between Blue and Hejira. I think Hejira because it’s more mature. When I think about who I’d want to live forever, she’s at the top of my list.

what a brilliant video. thanks.

It was very big of David to acknowledge his deep respect for Joni’s superior talent. That’s huge!

Neil Young didn’t join CSN until after the first album when they needed extra musicians in order to tour. This was because Steven Stills had played almost all of the instruments on the album - except drums. Steven Stills brought up Neil Young because of their relationship in Buffalo Springfield. Only after Graham Nash met Young and okayed the addition did he join CSN.

I always thought someone should write a book or make a movie about that time and it should be called Both Sides Now. Joni Mitchell and Judy Collins were both integral parts of the music scene in the late 1960s and early 1970s, both did popular versions of the title song and both were romantically linked to CSN at some point, Joni with David Crosby and Graham Nash and Judy with Stephen Stills. Stills reportedly wrote the song Suite: Judy Blue Eyes about Collins and supposedly Graham Nash was part of the inspiration for Mitchell's brilliant but sad A Case of You. What a time that was, we'll never see anything like that again.

Well done! I'm glad I found your channel. I LIVE for these stories.

Joni Mitchell is truly a major part of the soundtrack of my life along with Crosby stills and Nash

Watching Joni Mitchell at age 80 perform Both Sides Now at the 2024 Grammy Awards was so moving. A brilliant song , hope the modern day performers at the show took note of this masterpiece of a song and step up their game.

There are definitely some accusations in the metaphor of "That Song About the Midway", but the main point centers around wonderment and insight into a person who is still interesting to her even as she leaves him and there's also a lot of genuine sadness in the writing. The song ends with Joni envious of the free joy and fast life of the person described in the song, writing, "I envy you the valley that you've found", longing for that reprieve as she broods on her approaching middle age and no longer keeping up with such a fast and fun life. Not a kind song, but also, not an unmitigated jab. The song stands up well outside of the context of that breakup that informs the metaphors. For a comparison of a much weaker folk songwriter doing somewhat the same song stunt with a breakup, see Joan Baez's "Love Song To A Stranger" referencing Bob Dylan and "Love Song for a stranger Part 2" trying to somehow bring obligatory song and poetry to their horrendous breakup. Interesting, but the second song is nowhere near as strong read as pure poetry,minus the context.

Really interesting. A pity these beautiful people are gone forever. Some of them are still there but they are absent in a way they were then.

So good to hear about life and the past so much music it's great to hear

I am definitely going to listen to Blue today. Thank you for this video, She has always been one of our favorite musicians. 🌸🕊🎼🎹🎸

I’d like to hear Joni’s side of the story. David had many difficult relationships with many people

I believe Woodstock was in August of '69, not July. @ 3:05

love this thank you

What a tasteful, respectful presentation, thank you, Rob.

R.I.P. David Crosby andcall my favourite musicians who passed away recently.

That's one of my top 3 favorite Joni songs of all time

Really enjoyed this vid.

Thank you for this info.

I think the way she did this was done in good taste, if there is such a thing when it comes to something like this. Kudos to her. On another note, I actually had the pleasure of meeting Joni Mitchell. She was very kind and tipped me well in the restaurant that I was working in at the time. A beautiful lady, she is.

Music for me is like THE Time Machine. Not just "a" time machine. I'm just now 64 and though a kid in that era, I was well aware of all that went on since I was born & raised in LA. I am divided anymore as to climbing in to The Time Machine. I've done it so much over the years, but have seen the passing of so many now, and have so many memories of my own, created in those same years. I often find myself just wanting to forget it all. But don't want to either. And I think after we who were there, who keep it all alive within us, when we're gone, so will most of the memories and interest in them, be gone. Perhaps that's just as it should be? I don't honestly know. But I do know for whatever time I have left, thank God for it all. And RIP David Crosby. God bless us all.

God bless David he still had a great sense of humor

I always sing the words to That Song About Midway when I'm thinking about the love of my life...Joni must have loved David very deeply

I love Joni and her work. We lost one of our soul guardians and he will always have a special place in the hearts of the Kent State community. Farewell. David. ❤

Free spirited musicians performers falling in and out of love easily:. Don’t forget it was the times And Joni also cherished her own freedom and the possibility of the ‘new ‘ in life and love!! She didn’t want to be tied down by any relationship at all!!! Her lyrics reinforce this over and over.

My wealth is not measured by money but by my music library which has them all. So grateful to have lived through that era. Their music more than enriched, it saved my life.

Yeah David you said it perfectly: "I don't get along with her that well anymore but I do love her with my whole heart for what she gave us"

I think Song To A Seagull is one of the greatest debut albums ever. I agree with David's comment on where Joni stands, given her command of language, story telling, musicianship and vocals. But to announce a break up in front of everyone sucks.

Just to keep things accurate: Niel Young was not an original member of Crosby, Still & Nash and Woodstock was in August of of 1969, not July.

The photo at the 00:14 mark is priceless. Bonnie Raitt, Maria Muldaur, and Linda Ronstadt. Classic.

David Crosby is such a great guy - May he rest in peace!

Crosby wasn't her first. She was married to Chuck Mitchell in Detroit in June 1965. Chuck sang at my parents wedding in January '65.

0:15 Bonnie Raitt, Maria Muldaur and Linda Ronstadt in 1974