Every second counts for star who beat The Beatles

Hollies Hall of Fame legend aims to stay as happy as he can on ‘downward side of life’

When double Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Famer Graham Nash turns 77 next month, he’ll celebrate yet another milestone as one the most remarkable musicians of his generation.

Born in Blackpool and raised in Salford, he journeyed from a childhood in impoverished postwar England to the sunny uplands of LA’s Laurel Canyon after finding fame first with The Hollies then Crosby Stills and Nash, which gave him his double entry into the Hall.

He worked with Elton John when he was still plain Reg Dwight, beat a pre-Beatles Lennon and McCartney in a 1959 Battle of the Bands, and lived with Joni Mitchell while she carved her own legend.

“With two songwriters in the same house and only one piano, it got a little weird at times,” Nash remembers. “But I was always completely respectful to Joan. I think she is by far our greatest songwriter, apart from Bob [Dylan] of course, and John and Paul. She’s up there.”

He saw Mitchell, 75, who is still recovering from an aneurysm, at a concert in her honour last November. “She’s still having a little difficulty walking and she has to relearn a lot of things,” says Nash. “She wasn’t found for a couple of days so first of all we were very thankful she’s alive. I have a feeling she’ll be back as soon as possible.”

It’s over four years since Nash left Susan Sennett, his wife of 38 years, forfeiting his home in Hawaii to live in New York with 39-year-old photographer Amy Grantham. “I’m on the downward side of life,” he says candidly. “But I want to utilise every second the best way I can.”

Graham still keeps in touch with FIRST SUCCESS Graham (centre) with The Hollies in June 1965

his old associates in The Hollies and was saddened by the recent death of Eric Haydock – “a great bass player and a very funny man. He will be missed,” says Graham.

It’s a long time since now