STEPHEN STILLS PARTNERS WITH IRVING AZOFF’S IAG
Stephen Stills has joined the likes of Linda Ronstadt, the Beach Boys, and bandmate David Crosby, by entering into “a new, multifaceted partnership with Irving Azoff‘s Iconic Artists Group (IAG).” According to Billboard, “The deal includes IAG’s purchase of a controlling interest in Stills’ intellectual property, including his music publishing catalog of 1,000-plus songs from his stints in Buffalo Springfield; Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young; Crosby, Stills & Nash; Manassas; the Rides and the Stills-Young Band, as well as his solo career. Among the classics the deal covers are ‘Suite: Judy Blue Eyes,’ ‘Southern Cross,’ and ‘Love The One You’re With.’”
The deal also gives IAG a stake in Stills’ band trademarks, name, image and likeness. Stills explained why he decided to go with Azoff — a friend for decades: “I waited for an Irving, someone that I knew and knew would cherish it. I got another contract from another company, and it was jail. I got to these advanced years, and I decided I would circumvent the estate fight.”
Azoff added: “You look at (the Tom Petty family) and some of that. But in our case, what we’re trying to help is for the proper estate planning, but also growing it.” (Billboard)
NEW NEIL YOUNG CONCERT FILM & LIVE SET
On August 5th, Neil Young will release his latest live set and concert movie, titled, Noise & Flowers. The project was culled from Neil Young and Promise of the Real‘s 2019 European tour, which Young undertook following the death of his longtime manager and confidante, Elliot Roberts.
Young posted on his official Neil Young Archives page: “During the tour, we had a poster of Elliot on a road case, where he always stood during all shows. Everyone who was with us felt that this tour was amazing for its great vibe. The Real and I delivered for Elliot. . . Truly a great collection dripping with the soul of our band as we played for our fallen leader.”
Highlights on the set include “Helpless,” “Rockin’ In The Free World,” “Winterlong,” “Alabama,” “I’ve Been Waiting For You,” and “On The Beach,” among others. (Rolling Stone)
GRAHAM NASH ON THE FALL OF THE AMERICAN EMPIRE
Graham Nash, who’s currently out on the road on a solo tour, spoke frankly about the State of The Union. The British-born Nash, who became an American citizen back in 1978, told New York’s The Hudson Independent, “Quite frankly, we might be witnessing the end of the American empire. Empires rise and fall. . . the Egyptians thought they were great. The Russian empire thought it was great. The British Empire thought they were great. And they all failed. There is so much division in the country. I’m not optimistic right now.”
He went on to say, “The great thing about this country is that you are able to speak your mind. I’m not even sure if any of CSN or CSNY would be able to do what we did had we lived in a different country, but we live in the United States and in the United States you are allowed to say what you think.” (The Hudson Independent)
Graham Nash klcks off his next string of dates on July 13th at Red Bank, New Jersey’s Count Basie Center for the Arts.