Neil Young left me a financial wreck

To the rescue: Crosby, Stills and Nash

Neil Young’s sudden change of heart over a Buffalo Springfield reunion left bandmate Stephen Stills with serious financial issues.

And only intervention by David Crosby and Graham Nash averted a personal disaster for their long-term collaborator.

Young reformed Buffalo Springfield to play his annual Bridge School Benefit show in 2010. It was the first time in 42 years the band had performed together. The following year they played a handful of shows, including a festival set at Bonnaroo, then plans were put in place for a 30-date tour to follow in 2012.

But at the last minute Young decided against the move, and began work on a new project with Crazy Horse, telling Rolling Stone: “I’d be on a tour of my past for the rest of fucking time. I have to move forward. I’d did enough of it for right then.”

Now Stills has spoken out about his take on the situation. He says: “We were supposed to work for most of the summer. It left me in a lurch for three quarters and ruined my financial planning. Also, 150 people got laid off that were supposed to work on the tour.

“We didn’t go to all that trouble for seven shows – but when Neil is involved in anything, you need a seatbelt.”

The Crosby, Stills and Nash tour which took place over the summer had originally been planned as a duet trek with just Crosby and Nash. The latter explains: “A Buffalo Springfield tour was cancelled by Neil. It left Stephen in a hole in many ways – friendship-wise, work-wise, financial-wise.

“When David and I heard, we went over to Stephen and told him we would cancel every gig and go out as Crosby, Stills and Nash. We were there for him because we love Stephen Stills. Not only because he’s a good friend, but because he’s an insanely talented musician.”

Despite Young saying there might be a future for Buffalo Springfield, Stills isn’t holding his breath. But he says: “Working with Neil is a privilege, not a right. I can’t be unkind about it.”