Three absolute musical legends were born on this date. The first, Sir George Martin, was one of the 20 people most responsible for the creation of what became known as classic rock. The second, John Baldwin, a/k/a John Paul Jones, played bass, organ, piano, mellotron, synthesizer, guitar, mandolin, and arranged many of the songs that we know so well from my favorite band of all time, Led Zeppelin.
The third person born on this date is a musician that I wish we could get for a Rock Legends Cruise. Stephen Arthur Stills turns 80 years old today. Like JPJ, Stills can play almost every rock instrument. When we were growing up Creem Magazine used to have a poll each year for best guitarist, best singer, best album, and other categories. Creem didn’t start until late 1969 so there never was a chance to vote on Most Valuable Player until 1970. Arguments could be made for MVP of 1967: Lennon? McCartney? Jimi? Eric? And arguments could be made for MVP of 1969: Page? McCartney? Pete? Duane?
But for 1968, IMO there is only one answer: Mr. Stephen Stills. In a single day, he laid down demos for songs he had written including Suite:Judy Blue Eyes, Helplessly Hoping, Wooden Ships, Change Partners, and Know You’ve Got To Run. He then wrote You Don’t Have To Cry, hooked up with Crosby and Nash, and cut the first (and best) unplugged rock album in history where he sang, arranged, produced, played all of the bass, played all of the lead guitar, played all of the keyboards, played all of the percussion, played most of the drums, and played most of the rhythm guitar parts.
He would never come close to this peak again. But what a legacy he created with that album. If you read this Stephen, please come on our cruise next year.
