When it comes to the history of rock 'n' roll, Graham Nash was there.
He knew The Beatles before they were The Beatles. He is a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee with Crosby, Stills & Nash and The Hollies, and he was twice inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame as a solo artist and with CSN.
If you go
› What: An Intimate Evening of Songs and Stories with Graham Nash› Where: Walker Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave.› When: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 23 › Admission: $75 and $55 › For more information: 423-757-5580› Online: tivolichattanooga.com
He played at Woodstock to several hundred thousand people, and he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2010.
His works include "Carrie Anne," "Our House," "Marrakesh Express" and "Teach Your Children," which showcase his beautifully distinctive voice.
Even the 77-year-old icon marvels at what he has seen, done and accomplished.
"I think I did my best, can't be 100 percent, but you can try. It's been an astonishing life so far, but holy [bleep]," he said with a laugh.
"I've tried my best to be the best father and best musician I can. I'll never make it, but that is what I've learned. You make your choices and try your best."
If it seems like more and more musicians of his era are doing more interviews and sharing the stories of their lives, Nash said it's because they are.
"It's a good perception and a correct one. I'm loving playing these smaller theaters. You know I played at Woodstock doing 'Guinnevere' with one guitar and two other voices in front of 400,000 people and it was great, but these smaller theaters, I can see their eyes. I can see their reaction if I do a line particularly well. Fantastic."
Nash will be at Walker Theatre on Saturday, March 23, and he is bringing that same attitude to the show. He said he asked his manager to book into smaller venues in places he hasn't been to often or at all for this latest tour.
"I want people to know I want to be there. I'm not gonna phone in it. I'm gonna sing it with the same passion I did when I wrote the damn song, and it will be worth it to see them smile on the way out."
Nash has always been active politically, and has continued to voice his opinions. He now lives in New York "because I fell in love with a girl and followed her here."
He says this current political environment is like nothing he has ever seen.
"We made it through Nixon and Watergate and even Bush and the Iraq war, but this is very different. Nixon had a small heart and brain, but I don't think Trump has either. The people in New York have known for 25 years what he is, and now America is finding out."
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.