"Long May You Run" is a studio album by the Stills–Young Band, a collaboration between Stephen Stills and Neil Young, released in 1976 on Reprise Records. The album peaked at #26 on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold in the United States by the RIAA. It stands out as the only studio release from this duo, blending their distinctive musical styles and showcasing their songwriting talents. The album features a mix of rock and folk elements, highlighting tracks that resonate with themes of nostalgia and reflection.
Following the tumultuous Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young stadium tour of 1974, attempts to finalize a new album ended in frustration, leading to a split among the members. David Crosby and Graham Nash continued their partnership, while Stephen Stills and Neil Young pursued their independent careers. Notably, songs from the abandoned CSNY project appeared on various solo albums.
In early 1976, Stills and Young rekindled their collaboration, motivated by a shared desire to revisit their Buffalo Springfield-era guitar explorations. Initially, Crosby and Nash were included in the project, leading to hopes for a CSNY reunion album. However, when Nash and Crosby left the Miami sessions to finish their own album, Stills and Young opted to remove their contributions from the master tapes. This decision deepened the rift, with Crosby and Nash vowing never to work with them again, although they would later regroup with Stills for a different project.
Reflecting on their collaboration, Young remarked in a 1981 interview that their relationship had been productive, emphasizing the creative tension that drove their earlier work. Long May You Run ultimately became a testament to their musical history, even if it didn’t quite capture the same spark as their earlier endeavors.
