Graham Nash remains happy and inspired to create new music

Breaking up is hard to do, unless you’re Graham Nash. The rock icon divorced his wife of 38 years, Susan Sennett, in 2016. That same year he wrote and recorded “This Path Tonight,” his first solo album since 2002. Then he announced that his longtime band, Crosby, Stills & Nash, no longer would record or perform.

“I was on an emotional journey,” sasys Nash, a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, while calling from his Los Angeles home. “I was going through a divorce that had to happen. I wasn’t happy in my marriage. And then there was Crosby, Stills & Nash. I wasn’t happy in that situation either.”

Nash, 77, is blunt when asked why the band is history. “It’s a toxic situation and I don’t do toxic situations anymore,” Nash says. “You have to cut that out of your life. I still get along with Stephen (Stills) and I’m still friends with Neil (Young, who was part of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young).”

Nash has cut ties permanently with David Crosby, vowing never to perform with him again.

Nash remains vibrant and creative. “I have at least 12 songs percolating in my mind,” Nash says. “I know I’m three years from turning 80 but I can still make music and I very much want to be happy. I think the problem for a lot of people is that they aren’t happy at this age and will just live with it. I can’t do that. I have to be happy. I’m inspired.”

The British native with the light tenor was certainly inspired when he and his former bandmates were part of the fertile Laurel Canyon scene, which also included the Eagles and his former girlfriend Joni Mitchell during the late ‘60s and early ‘70s.

“There were so many reasons that period in Los Angeles, in Laurel Canyon, was such a gas,” Nash says. “We were close to recording studios, Hollywood and it was such a free time. It felt like you could try anything. I was constantly moved to write when I was with Joni.”

A mundane experience triggered the classic track “Our House.”

“A very ordinary thing led to that song being written,” Nash recalls. “Joni and I went to breakfast. We stopped in an antique shop. Joni bought a vase. When we returned home, the song came to life. ‘I’ll light the fire while you place the flowers in the vase that you bought today.’ Those are the lyrics and it was inspired by a rather ordinary thing that we did.”

Expect Nash to offer solo material as well as tracks from Crosby, Stills & Nash as well as The Hollies when he performs April 3 at Fletcher Opera Theater in Raleigh’s Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts.

“There will be a balance of songs,” Nash says. “I cover all of the bases.”

Nash intends to record a new album soon but he admits that he could be more than a solo recording artist. Nash has not shut the door on working with Stills and Young.

“If Neil came to my house with a song on cassette and he wanted to work with me, I would listen to him,” Nash says. “The same goes for Stephen. I want to be around people that make me happy and stimulate me. The lesson with this is that just because you are of a certain age doesn’t mean that you can’t be happy.”

Details

Who: An Intimate Evening of Songs and Stories with Graham Nash

When: 7:30 p.m. April 3

Where: Fltecher Opera Theater, 2 E. South St., Raleigh

Tickets: $54.36 and up

Info: 919-996-8700 or dukeenergycenterraleigh.com