Stephen Stills Change Partners: The Definitive Biography by David Roberts


Stephen Stills Change Partners: The Definitive Biography
Title : Stephen Stills Change Partners: The Definitive Biography
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : -
Language : English
Format Type : Kindle Edition
Number of Pages : 225
Publication : First published January 1, 2017

Stephen Stills is one of the last remaining music legends from the rock era without a biography. During his six-decade career, he has played with all the greats. His career sky-rocketed when Crosby, Stills & Nash played only their second gig together at Woodstock in 1969. With the addition of Neil Young, the band would go on to play the first rock stadium tour in 1974.


Stephen Stills Change Partners: The Definitive Biography Reviews


  • Louise

    If Stephen Stills fans are looking for a “definitive biography” they are still waiting.

    This book is like a catalog of recordings and performances noting the songs, who wrote them and who performed, produced and critiqued them.

    There are quotes (none footnoted) from the players, fans, and the music industry and press. The number of quotes, particularly from Stills, is impressive given that the author did no interviews.

    There are maybe 5 pages total regarding Still’s 3 marriages. I’m not sure all of his children are mentioned.

    I would not have stayed with it were it not a quick read.

  • Randall Wallace

    Stephen sums it all up with this one: “To become a decent lead player you’ve got to play rhythm first.” Stephen realized his best hits were his early ones which he attributes to being free and not trying to out-craft yourself or not “losing the point”. Amazingly, Stephen recorded all the instruments you hear on the first CSN record. Stephen says, “Graham doesn’t have a falsetto. He just sings really high. When we sing ‘Suite’ for example, I’m on top.” Pre-road Downs has that amazing backwards solo in it which Stephen worked out in his head beforehand. Helplessly Hoping is Stephen’s study in alliteration. Wooden Ships is exactly about that, written by Paul Kantner, David Crosby and Stephen Stills about the wooden boats they loved to be on in Florida. Bob Weir said after seeing the effect CSN’s harmonies were having on him and the audience, both he and The Grateful Dead got to work and spent a lot of time working on their vocal harmonies. Dave Mason said he would have never written “Only You Know and I Know” unless Stephen had taught him some cool open tunings. Listen to Stephen’s guitar and bass parts on Joni Mitchell’s ‘Carey’. Another helpful quote of Stephen’s “A wonderful thing happens when you turn 60. Some things just don’t bother you. You don’t care at all.” So true. If you are a Stephen Stills fan, you will be glad you read this book.

  • Richard Haynes

    Excellent book and very well written.

  • Pete daPixie

    The definitive biography as the front cover proclaims, has been assembled by David Roberts from countless media interviews, many other related music publications and the authors vast collection of all things Stills.
    The man himself has a low opinion of rock and roll biographies, so Mr Roberts has filled the vacant void. It has to be said that Steven Stills' musical career is quite a void to fill, spanning over fifty years. Personally I quite liked this book. Although some of CSNY sounds have remained in my collection over the years and Stills' 'Manassas' has long been a favourite, there are many gaps in my knowledge of the man himself. 'Change Partners' (2016) has adequately filled in many gaps, particularly his time spent as a member of the 'Surrey set' in England in the early 1970's.
    For a major rock artist to not have a publication of any kind on the bookshelves, it is inevitable that someone will publish something sooner or later and perhaps an avid fan is the next best thing to any official release. Although unauthorised and stitched together, which hinders the flow of the narrative, for those interested in the musical career of a great guitar man, here it is.

  • Allan Heron

    An enjoyable overview of Stills' career if short on any information or viewpoints that haven't been covered elsewhere.

    It's disappoiningly vague on the breakdown of his first two marriages, or his notorious behaviour during the 1980's. What happened to the Stills that was so out of it he was concinced he had been to Vietnam?

    As the only book that focuses solely on Stills' career it is of some value but you feel there's a better book to be written.

  • David Healey

    Dull as dish water.

  • Joe Nicholl

    Fun look at the music career of Stephen Stills...Easy read...not Great but it is an enjoyable read...If you're a fan of CSNY give it a read...3.5 stars!

  • Erik Steevens

    'There's something happening here ... in this book!!!
    I loved every letter of it, what a fantastic biography!!!
    Very well done David Roberts.