Crosby, Stills & Nash: Folk Rock Supergroup 6 Decades of Rolex

David Crosby

Belongs To The Ages

1941-2023

I am sad to report that legendary recording artist David Crosby now belongs to the ages. In my mind, David's passing represents the end of an era. So let's hop in The Rolex Time Machine and go back and explore his amazing career achievements.

The Dan Rather interview offers a great deal of insight into David Crosby's fascinating challenges in life, and we see him rocking his Rolex Submariner...

The screen shot below is from the Dan Rather 2015 interview seen above and notice both David Crosby and Stephen Stills are both rocking stainless steel Rolex Submariner models!?!! Talk about great minds thinking alike!!!

Crosby, Stills & Nash

Amazing Folk Rock Supergroup

with Rolex Keeping Their Time

Crosby, Stills & Nash was one of the most popular folk rock supergroups of all time, and as we will soon see, they have been wearing Rolex Submariner watches for four decades. They are pictured below in this first photo in 1969 just before they played Woodstock, and Stephen Stills (center) is wearing his trademark Rolex Submariner which you will see better later in this story.

Crosby, Stills and Nash were best known for their trademark sound which fuses magnificent vocal harmonies with amazing lyrics. All three band members have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and their music literally defended an era.

Judy Blue Eyes

Live at Woodstock 1969

Rolex Submariner

Crosby, Stills and Nash blew everybody's mind when they performed live at Woodstock in 1969, and their version of Judy Blue Eyes is just amazing!!!! As a matter of fact, Woodstock 1969 was the first time they ever performed together as a band, and in my opinion I believe it is one of the greatest live performances ever captured on film!!

An interesting point is that in Judy Blue Eyes, Crosby, Stills and Nash sing the last chorus in Spanish, and they sing:

Que linda me la traiga Cuba,

La reina de la Mar Caribe.

Cielo sol no tiene sangre alli,

y que triste que no puedo vaya,

Oh va, oh va, va.

Translated from Spanish to English they are singing:

"Oh, what beauty Cuba brings me,

The queen of the Caribbean Sea,

Sunny Sky has no blood over there,

And how sad that I cannot go,

Oh go, oh go, go."

The band members from Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young came from 1960s rock bands, The Byrds, The Hollies and Buffalo Springfield. They introduced their first album in 1969 to critical acclaim.

Down By The River

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

On and off over the years, Crosby, Stills and Nash have been joined by Neil Young as seen in the following 1969 video:

BBC Live Performance with Crosby & Nash

This next BBC Concert video was shot live in 1970 and it is really something else to see this live unplugged, acoustical performance!!!!

Stephen Stills is pictured below jamming with Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones

Steven Stills was a member of short-lived iconic band 1960s band, Buffalo Springfield who sang the famous 1967 hit titled 'For what it's worth' which you can watch below.

Stephen Stills is pictured below in 1972 sporting his Rolex Submariner

Stephen Stills is pictured again in 1973 wearing his trademark Rolex Submariner

Carry On

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Live At Wembley Stadium 1974

Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young are best known for their vocal harmonies and their amazing guitar playing. In this live video of Carry On, shot live at Wembley in 1974, these crispy-critters seriously rock out!!!

In the photo below, taken in 1982, we see Graham Nash on the far left with record industry super-producer, Ahmet Ertegn, and Stephen Stills on the far right.

Teach Your Children

Love The One You're With

Southern Cross

In this next photo taken many years ago we see David Crosby with his wife, and he is wearing his trademark Rolex Submariner.

Here is another photo of David Crosby wearing his trademark Rolex Submariner.

In this next photo we see actress, comedian, and talk-show host, Ellen DeGeneres with David Crosby. Ellen of course is a Rolex fanatic.

In this last image we see Crosby, Stills and Nash today. Their partnership has spanned over 5 decades with David Crosby and Stephen Stills wearing Rolex Submariner watches.

Marrakesh Express

Traveling Twice The Speed Of Sound


Woodstock We Are Stardust

The photo below of Steven Stills was taken in 2022 and shows him rocking his Rolex Submariner. That means he is now a member of the 50 Year Wearing Rolex Club!!! 

The image below of Steven Stills was taken from the recent Dan Rather interview that you can watch toward the top of this story.

In the photos below taken years ago we see Stephen Stills wearing his trademark Rolex Submariner.  It is amazing how many famous guitarists wear Rolex Submariner models.

Pete Conrad

Apollo 12 Astronaut


Pete Conrad

1970 Rolex Day-Date

They say when it rains it pours, and Nick Gould and I have been on a tear recently discovering more NASA Astronauts wearing Rolex watches, and we have some more crazy NASA Apollo Astronaut news coming up, so stay-tuned... 

The image below shows Charles 'Pete' Conrad Jr (foreground) command pilot and Richard F. Gordon., Jr, pilot in the Gemini 11 spacecraft in the white room atop Pad 19 awaiting the final minutes of the pre-launch countdown on September 12, 1966. Liftoff was at 9:42 a.m. (EST).

The next image, seen below shows Charles 'Pete' Conrad on September 15, 1966 exiting the Gemini 11 spacecraft minutes after splashdown.

Pete Conrad took the photo below on the moon during Apollo 12 and we see him reflected on Apollo 12 Astronaut Alan L. Bean's mirrored spacesuit mask.  Bean is holding a container with lunar soil he collected during the EVA on the moon.

At the time, the Apollo 12 astronauts leased matching Riverside Gold Stingray Corvettes with black winds and red, white and blue logos above the gills. Each astronaut also had their initials painted on the car.

Today's story showcases another NASA Apollo Astronaut wearing a yellow gold Rolex Day-Date, and this time it's Pete Conrad from Apollo 12, and it was discovered by Nick Gould!! The first photo below is where Nick ID'd the Rolex Day-Date on Pete Conrad's wrist, almost hiding in plain sight. This is a deeply profound image as it shows Apollo 12's Pete Conrad with Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11) and Neil Armstrong (Apollo 11) in Apollo James Lovell of Apollo 13's living room with James Lovell's wife, 2 daughters and mother as they watch the Apollo 13 fiasco unveiling live.

In this next photo we see Pete Conrad's official NASA portrait taken in 1971 and notice his Rolex Day-Date peaking out under his cuff.

This next photo from the NASA Archives says:

S73-24303 (May 1973) --- These three astronauts have been named by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration as the prime crew of the first manned Skylab mission. They are, left to right, Joseph P. Kerwin, science pilot; Charles Conrad Jr., commander; and Paul J. Weitz, pilot. Skylab is a three-part program consisting of one 28-day and two 56-day manned visits spanning an eight-month period. One day prior to the launch of this crew, the unmanned Skylab space station cluster will be launched and placed in Earth orbit. The first manned mission will last up to 28 days.

In these next photos we see Pete Conrad who was a crew member on Skylab 2, which was the first Skylab team to go to space and notice he is wearing his yellow gold Rolex Day-Date which matches his Skylab uniform. This photo was taken during Skylab 2 training in February of 1972.

Update: I heard from MoonwatchUniverse a

after I published this story and they confirmed that Pete Conrad was still wearing his Day-Date in May of 1973...a few days before the launch!

The video documentary from 1975 offers insight into the story of Skylab.



The next two photos were taken after Pete Conrad retired from NASA.

Don Headley's beloved Rolex Oyster Sank 78 Years ago on his wrist and he still wears it today!!!

...Rolex Three-Quarter of a Century Wearer Club...

Don Headley
82 Years ago, in 1941 his parents have him a Rolex Oyster

And he still enjoys his "priceless" companion today!!!
In a world filled with contention, polarization and challenges, we can take a break and enjoy a heartwarming feel-good story to warm and sooth your soul :-) British World War II Veteran, Don Headley shares his fascinating story about his experience aboard the HMS Bedouin 15th of June 1942:

"This was the (Rolex) watch I was wearing when the HMS Bedouin was sunk on the 15th of June, 1942 and now 78 years later it is still in working order."

Don Headley may be the record holder for the longest time wearing Rolex, which I previously thought belonged to Chuck Yeager. Don tells the touching story about how his loving parents gave the Rolex Oyster watch to him to commemorate his 21st birthday in 1941 (79 years ago) and he has been wearing and depending on it for more than three quarters of a century!!! 
That would definitely exceed King Harald of Norway wearing the same Rolex GMT-Master for over a half-century as well as golf legend, Jack Nicklaus rocking the same Rolex for a half-century! 

The case back features an engraving that reads:
J.T. Headley
30 Oct. 1941
FROM
MUM and DAD

Don mentioned he was somehow able to keep his Rolex while being a prisoner of war for 3 years thought the remainder of World War II.
In the video below Don tells the fascinating story of how he was a crew member aboard the HMS Bedouin Destroyer during World War II and his ship was escorting ships from Gibraltar to Malta, when an Italian arial torpedo sunk the Bedouin.

The HMS Bedouin Destroyer which Don Headley was aboard is pictured below.

The 1929 Rolex ad below showcases the Rolex Oyster as as the ultimate waterproof / aquatic watch. Our Captain Danny wrote a superb story about Rolex during World War II which I highly recommend checking out if you want to learn more about the role Rolex watches played.

Carroll Shelby: American Racing Pioneer and Icon

...Rolex Super Coolness...

Carroll Shelby

1923-2012

Racing Pioneer and Icon
Rolex GMT Master on Jubilee Bracelet

Carroll Shelby was not only an American racing legend, but an international icon of automotive design. Carroll Shelby began his automotive career as a race car driver, and went on to design some of the most iconic specialty sports cars in automotive history. In the photo below, we see Carroll Shelby pictured in 1987 sporting his Rolex GMT Master on a Jubilee bracelet.

Carroll Shelby is pictured below in 1966 leaning against his Ford Mustang Shelby GT350, and we see his AC Shelby Cobra in the background.

Kings Of Coolness

Pictured below, we see two Kings Of Coolness, Carroll Shelby and Steve McQueen, and in this photo, Carroll Shelby is delivering a Shelby Cobra to Steve McQueen.

In the photo below, we see Carroll Shelby at a car show sitting in his 1963 AC Shelby Cobra, and notice he is wearing a Rolex on his right wrist, which is something he and Steve McQueen had in common.

1966 Ford GT Mark II

The Ford GT40 was a super-high performance American-British racing car, which was originally built and designed in England, and later in the United States. It was powered by a series of American-made Ford engines, and it dominated the 24 Hours of Le Mans by winning four consecutive times in a row, from 1966 to 1969. The Mark II, which is pictured below gained Ford the first overall Le Mans victory in history for an American manufacturer.

In the photo below, we see the stable of Ford GT Mark 4 on display at the 1967 24 Hours of Le Mans, and in the front we see the Number 1 Ford GT which was driven by Dan Gurney, and  A.J. Foyt.

This next video overview from 1967 Le Mans, give an overview of what happened while showing all the Ford GT's on the track.

1967 Le Mans Race Winner

In the photo below we see American race car driver win the 1967 24 hours of Le Mans as he rockets past the finish line to take first place for Ford.

Carroll Shelby is pictured below, posing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in Le Mans, France in 1967 with his Ford GT Mark IV, Number 1 Car which had just won the Le Mans race.

...More Rolex Racing Super Coolness...

Dan Gurney & A.J. Foyt

1967 24 Hours of Le Mans Winners

Stainless Steel Rolex Datejust

Dan Gurney is an American race car driver, race car designer, and team owner. With an amazing career dating back to 1958, he is considered to be one of the living God's of racing. Dan is pictured below taking a break during the 1967 Le Mans race, with Carroll Shelby, who is wearing the checkered hat, and notice Dan is wearing his Rolex Datejust, while racing.

Dan Gurney is also pictured below after winning the 1967 24 Hours of Le Mans. His teammate for the race, A. J. Foyt is standing next to him. This photo is very famous, because Dan Gurney did not drink alcohol, so when they won, he shook-up the champagne, and popped the cork and poured it all over the place–a tradition that he started, which continues to this day. How ironic is it that the not only did Carol Shelby who designed the Ford GT Mark II wear a Rolex, but so did the two race car drivers who won the 1967 Le Mans!?!

In the photo below, we see a close-up of Dan Gurney's Rolex Datejust on a Jubilee bracelet

In the next image below, taken in 1974, we see A.J. Foyt being celebrated in a Rolex Day-Date ad.

A. J. Foyt is pictured below with Richard Petty on the 4th of July in 1975.

The Ford GT40 that Dan Guryney and A.J. Foyt won the 24 Hours Of Le Mans in is pictured below. By the way, this is the first and only time an All-American team, driving an American car has ever won the 24 Hours Of Le Mans!!!

White Gold Daytona Meteorite Dial with Arabic Roman Numerals

...Rolex Studio Shot Of The Day...

White Gold Daytona

Meteorite Dial with Arabic Roman Numerals

1958 Rolex Submariner Brochure

1958 Rolex Submariner Brochure

This is such a cool find! I originally discovered this fascinating 1958 Rolex Submariner brochure back in June of 2019 which features the Reference 6536 and 6538, but the most exciting detail may be on the back page as seen in the last image in this story.

I say it may be on the last page because after careful reading I discovered a fascinating discovery! Notice at the end of the last paragraph in the section on the left with white background the second to last words says:

     "The SUBMARINER is a strong and reliable wrist-watch the importance of which has already been recognized by those concerned in sea-going or sub-marine activities." 

What is significant about sub-marine'? There has always been a debate about whether Submariner was pronounced Submeriner, or Sub-mariner? My take is that according to this brochure that back in 1958 it was pronounced Sub-Marine-ER. Also, on the cover of the brochure, as seen above it says "A watch specially designed for all SUBMARINE and aquatic activities." This would ad further support to the fact the proper name is pronounced Rolex Sub-marine-er, not Sub-marin-er!!!

(Update: Nick Gould sent me a message and pointed out: "Did you notice the brochure shows a 6536 with no depth rating? Also, the brochure says the 6538 was the more heavy duty version. Makes sense as the 6538 has a big crown.")

In 2013 I discovered and published this same letter, which proves that Jacques Yves-Cousteau was testing Rolex Submariner watch prototypes in 1953, but I have never seen it printed on the back of a Rolex Submariner brochure as we see below!!! To learn much more about Jacques Cousteau and Rolex's conquest of the Ocean, be sure to check out my story on the Three Generations of Cousteau's!!!