Tim Hughes talks to legendary singer-songwriter Graham Nash - who is still on top of his game after five decades in the business 

Even by the standards of an international rock star, Graham Nash has lived life to the full.

During a career with the Hollies and with singing mates David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Neil Young, he has written some of the best loved tunes of his generation – songs like Marrakesh Express, Teach Your Children and Our House.

This Grammy-holding artist has worked with many of the greats, including Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, is partially responsible for signing Elton John and holds an OBE for services to music and charity. Oh, and he is a best-selling author and has a sideline as a highly successful photographer.

Now at the age of 74, he could be forgiven for settling down. Instead he has announced a divorce from his second wife, embarked on a whirlwind new romance – and written a new album - This Path Tonight - his first for 14 years.

And now the singer-songwriter - one of Salford's greatest sons - is back over here, from his adopted America, playing a series of select dates alongside guitarist and producer Shane Fontayne, which, on Tuesday, includes London’s Union Chapel.

“It’s incredible to be doing this,” he says. “I’m 74… how much longer can this go on?

“I have an incredible amount of energy; I don’t know where it comes from. It is 14 years since the last album, but in that time I’ve made 16 CDs and played 14 shows.

“I’ve been a busy boy!”

I caught up with Graham in London, soon after he flew in from his home in the States. “I always find it interesting coming back,” he says in an accent which is a curious combination of Lancashire and California.

“I have a definite love of this country,” he says. “I have lived in America for more than half of my life but have a hankering to find a beautiful little thatched cottage and leave the world behind.”

Laid back, and talking frankly of his past fondness for exotic cheroots, he barely seems to have changed since the heyday of flower power, when his music provided the soundtrack to a generation keep to ‘turn on, tune in and drop out’.

The hair may be shorter - and silver - but he still has those dashing looks - and, more importantly, that gorgeous honey-coated voice which soothed the beautiful people at Woodstock at the supergroup's second-ever gig back in 1969.

“I’ve lived an incredible life and it shows no sign of stopping," he tells me. "But then all the people we have lost this year thought the same way. It makes you think of your own mortality.”

He pauses to reflect again on the friends who have passed away – among them The Eagles’ Glenn Frey. He was not only a friend, but was of a similar age.

“I’m in good health – but you never know,” he says.

He sounds whimsical. Is he a religious man, I ask? “I’m a religious person but don’t believe in organised religion,” he says. “I understand its importance in people’s lives, and that’s great, but I prefer to pray to the spirit of the entire universe.”

So in a remarkable career, what is he most proud of? “I’m proud of being a human being that’s tried his best. It’s that simple,” he says.

“I’m trying to do my best in everything I’m doing. I’ll never make it, but I’ll keep trying.”

Surely this prolific artist with a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, must be satisfied with what he has already achieved?

“I don’t feel that way,” he says seriously. “I guess I’m a perfectionist. I’m my own worse critic.”

He is modestly proud of his new album though. “You never know,” he says. “It could have a shelf life of two minutes or 200 years. But it will probably last much longer than I will.

“It’s kinda weird,” he goes on. “It almost feels like it’s somebody else. I’m an ordinary person but I do something special with my time, and utilise it. It’s like a muscle; the more you use it, the better you get. If I was a plumber I’d be an amazing plumber after 50 years. People would be saying ‘look at that joint!’.”

He partly attributes his success to having the good fortunate to have been working in the 60s. “I’m a really lucky man to have been alive at the same time as people like Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Paul Simon and so many other incredible people - people who were pushing the envelope,” he says.

"Their music will be around for the next 100 years – and what songs were still in their minds? Things that we’ll never know that could have changed the world.

“I have songs in my head which haven’t gone into the studio – so imagine what they had in their minds.”

So have the songs on the new album been rolling around his head for years? “These songs are brand new,” he answers.

“I divorced my wife after 38 years and fell in love with a beautiful artist from New York City, and needed to get my feelings out by making music.”

I suggest to him that the finished product has a retrospective quality; the sense of a man looking back on his life and taking stock. He agrees. “It is also looking into the future,” he says.

“It has not been easy. Divorces are expensive and nasty but you know why they are expensive? Because they are worth it!”

He goes on: “I am thoroughly enjoying singing these songs, though, and people are really responding to this record. I seem to have touched a nerve in a lot of people, with other people going through the same changes I’m going through.”

So, with him once again in the midst of an international tour, has he given any thought to the question on everyone’s lips… will there be a reunion of Crosby, Stills and Nash?

“No… it’s over!”he says.

Why? “I’m not telling you,” he answers – before telling me. “It’s me and Crosby,” he says. “I still have a great relationship with Stephen though.”

So maybe the pair of them could work together as a duo? Or possibly they could enlist Neil to form Stills, Nash and Young?

“It’s an option I’ve been thinking about, ”he says. “We’ve been through enough changes in our lives. I have been doing a bit of singing with Stephen and our vocal blend is very different to me and Crosby’s.”

Oxford Mail:

Whatever happens, though,  he has no plans to retire. “A lot of people in their 70s settle down and don’t want to make trouble, but that’s a mistake.

“I don’t like being bored. I can’t remember the last time I was bored.”

He goes on: “It’s crazy out there, with climate change, terrorism and Donald Trump, so for a couple of hours come and see my show and have a great rocking time.”

  • Graham Nash plays the Union Chapel, London on Tuesday, May 24.
  • This Path Tonight is out on Graham Nash’s own Blue Castle label.