Graham Nash beat the Beatles in a talent contest

We both first heard Graham Nash just over 60 years ago when the Hollies’ Just One Look was on the BBC’s swinging Light Programme and we’ve followed him ever since, not least his transformational shift in the late-‘60s from suburban Salford to the wood cabins of Laurel Canyon. He’s touring the UK in October, An Evening of Songs and Stories with Peter Asher in support, and looks back here at the first shows he ever saw and played, which involves …

… Bill Haley in 1958 – “he opened the curtains and said ‘See yer later, alligator!’, and I’ve never been the same since.”

… meeting his heroes the Everly Brothers when he was 18.

… the talent contest he won with Allan Clarke in 1959 beating Freddie Garrity, the future Billy Fury and Johnny And the Moondogs.

... the early days of the Hollies – “my acoustic was never plugged in”.

… supporting Little Richard the night he screamed at his soon-to-be-famous guitarist, “never play the guitar behind the back of your head again!”

…. making ‘Two Yanks in England’ with the Everlys, Reg Dwight, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones.

… playing Woodstock – “it’s hard to reach the back row when it’s raining and two miles away.”

… the songs he always plays and talks about onstage, Marrakesh Express, Our House and Teach Your Children among them.

Order Graham Nash tickets here:

https://grahamnash.com/tour-dates/page/2/

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