Ohio

The Zoo Crew is spinning the powerful protest anthem "Ohio" by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young from their live album 4 Way Street, and the Zoo Freaks are surely feeling its raw energy. Written by Neil Young in response to the Kent State shootings on May 4, 1970, where four students were killed by the Ohio National Guard during an anti-Vietnam War protest, the song was a visceral reaction to a national tragedy. According to Graham Nash in a 2013 interview with Howard Stern, David Crosby called him urgently after Young wrote the song, demanding they book a studio immediately. The band recorded it on May 21, 1970, at Record Plant Studio 3 in Hollywood, capturing the track in just a few takes with live vocals and harmonies. Released in June 1970, it hit No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, despite being banned by some AM stations for its anti-Nixon lyrics, which Crosby called "the bravest thing I ever heard" for directly naming the president.

Another layer of the song’s intensity comes from David Crosby’s emotional contribution. In the fade-out, his voice breaks through with ad-libbed cries of "Four!", "Why?", and "How many more?", reflecting his frustration and grief. Neil Young later noted in the liner notes for his Decade compilation that Crosby cried after the recording session, overwhelmed by the song’s weight. The track’s creation story is tied to a moment of inspiration: Young, staying with Crosby near San Francisco, saw photos of the shootings in a May 15, 1970, issue of Life magazine. He left with his guitar and the magazine, returning hours later with "Ohio" fully formed. The band’s decision to rush-release it, even at the expense of their charting single "Teach Your Children," underscored their commitment to addressing the moment, cementing their role as counterculture voices.

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young formed as a folk-rock supergroup in 1968, born from the ashes of other iconic bands. David Crosby had been ousted from The Byrds in 1967, Stephen Stills’ Buffalo Springfield dissolved in early 1968, and Graham Nash left The Hollies in December of that year. The trio first harmonized informally at a party in Los Angeles, discovering their voices blended seamlessly. They signed with Atlantic Records in 1969, releasing their debut album Crosby, Stills & Nash, which spawned hits like "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" and "Marrakesh Express." Neil Young, also a former Buffalo Springfield member, joined soon after at the suggestion of Atlantic’s Ahmet Ertegun to bolster their live sound, debuting with the group at Woodstock in 1969. Their intricate harmonies and politically charged songwriting quickly made them a defining force in the late-’60s counterculture.

The band’s chemistry, however, was as volatile as it was creative. Personalities clashed, and tensions—fueled by Stills’ substance abuse and Young’s tendency to prioritize his solo work—led to frequent breakups. Despite this, they produced landmark albums like Déjà Vu (1970) and 4 Way Street (1971), with the latter capturing their live prowess during a tumultuous 1970 tour. The group reunited sporadically over decades, with their final studio album, Looking Forward, released in 1999. David Crosby’s death in January 2023 ended any chance of a full reunion, but their legacy endures, with a 1997 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for Crosby, Stills & Nash, alongside individual honors for their prior bands and Young’s solo career.

For Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, the band’s official website is www.csny.com. You can follow updates on their Facebook and Instagram pages, though their X account is less active. Fans also gather at sites like 4waysite.com, a dedicated fan hub with discographies and tour histories, and the CSNY Fans Facebook group, where enthusiasts share memories and rare recordings. These platforms keep the spirit of CSNY alive, much like the Zoo Crew keeps the airwaves grooving.