Crosby, Stills & Nash to play at Saenger Theatre

Maricela Murillo, Contributing Reporter

The legendary folk band Crosby, Stills & Nash will play at the historic Saenger Theatre as part of its summer 2014 tour 8 p.m. Saturday, 45 years after its first concert at Woodstock festival in 1969.

The band consists of David Crosby, a former member of The Byrds, Stephen Stills, a former member of Buffalo Springfield and Graham Nash, a former member of The Hollies. The three joined forces in 1969 and released the band’s first self-titled album the same year.

Though its last album, “Looking Forward,” was released 15 years ago under the name Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, the band’s concerts still sell out, filled with people who want to reminisce about the counterculture movement in the ’60s and ’70s. In more recent concerts, some of the group’s biggest hits from more than 40 years ago, such as “Our House”and “Carry On,” have been contrasted with recent songs like “Burning for the Buddha” and “Back Home.” While the older music is more folksy and, in some cases, makes much subtler political statements, Crosby, Stills & Nash’s newer songs’ messages are just as poignant.

The Saenger Theatre is as rooted in history as Crosby, Stills & Nash. Opened in 1927 and designed by Emile Weil, the original venue had a ceiling with lighting that mimicked the constellations and was designed in an Italian Baroque style. It cost $2.5 million and took three years to complete. Before Hurricane Katrina hit, the theatre underwent its most recent renovation and, therefore, was not heavily damaged. It was restored to look like the original theatre. The lights in the ceiling were replaced with LEDs, the original architecture re-established, and the red velvet seats and curtains refurbished.

Though the band is not quite as old as Saenger Theatreits oldest member, David Crosby, the venue is a fitting stage for Crosby, Stills & Nash.

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