Chris Stills
Encyclopedia
Chris Stills is the son of American rock musician Stephen Stills
and French singer-songwriter Véronique Sanson
. A musician like his parents, he has played with both his father and his mother.
When Chris was a child, his mother taught him how to play the piano, and though he also played drums, it wasn't until Chris was 12 that he picked up the guitar. On the road with Crosby, Stills, & Nash one day, one of the band's guitar techs put a spare guitar in the young Stills' hands. Upon learning some simple chords and a song, Chris was hooked. His parents divorced in 1978, and at 13 he went to live with his mother in Paris
. He attended the renowned American School of Paris
while there, and at 16 Chris wrote his first song, "If I Were a Mountain."
After graduating from high school in 1993, Chris moved back to the United States
, Los Angeles
to be exact, and worked as a roadie for his father. He lived in New York
for a few years, forming a band at one point with another American School
alum, Adam Cohen
, son of famed singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen
. Eventually, Chris hooked up with Atlantic Records
(the same label his father's band called home) And the then 23-year-old released his solo debut album, 100 Year Thing, in January 1998.
Growing up listening to Buffalo Springfield
, CSN
, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix
, Led Zeppelin
, and the Police
, Chris also drew influences from both parents (especially his father's folk-rock) to create his own blend of 1960s-inspired rock, folk, and blues on 100 Year Thing. Other influences came from Chris' experience playing over the years with acts like the Jayhawks and Alt. Country singer Ryan Adams
.
Chris's 2nd solo album simply entitled "Chris Stills", was released overseas in October 2005 after he was signed by then president of V2 Records
Alain Artaud. The record found its way to Canada and onto stateside shelves the following May 2006.
He also supported Richard Ashcroft
on a European Tour.
Recorded at the Studio du Palais, the live EP When the Pain Dies Down: Live in Paris appeared later.
Beginning in August 2007, Chris toured with Mandy Moore
in a small venue tour, opening for her in 15+ shows across the United States
and Canada
.
Chris played in France in 2009 the role of Julius Caesar in the blockbuster Musical Cleopatra.
Stephen Stills
Stephen Arthur Stills is an American guitarist and singer/songwriter best known for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & Nash . He has performed on a professional level in several other bands as well as maintaining a solo career at the same time...
and French singer-songwriter Véronique Sanson
Véronique Sanson
Véronique Sanson is a two-time Victoires de la Musique Award-winning French singer-songwriter, musician, and producer with an avid following in her native country.She brings a very personal vocal style to the singing of French pop songs: Her voice has a very strong vibrato.Unlike...
. A musician like his parents, he has played with both his father and his mother.
When Chris was a child, his mother taught him how to play the piano, and though he also played drums, it wasn't until Chris was 12 that he picked up the guitar. On the road with Crosby, Stills, & Nash one day, one of the band's guitar techs put a spare guitar in the young Stills' hands. Upon learning some simple chords and a song, Chris was hooked. His parents divorced in 1978, and at 13 he went to live with his mother in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. He attended the renowned American School of Paris
American School of Paris
The American School of Paris is a private, coeducational day school located in Saint-Cloud, a suburb of Paris, France. It was founded in 1946 shortly after the end of World War II by the combined efforts of the American Embassy and the American Express Company...
while there, and at 16 Chris wrote his first song, "If I Were a Mountain."
After graduating from high school in 1993, Chris moved back to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
to be exact, and worked as a roadie for his father. He lived in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
for a few years, forming a band at one point with another American School
American School
American School can refer to:American international schools* American School of Correspondence* American School * American Schools and Hospitals Abroad* Corporación Educativa American School...
alum, Adam Cohen
Adam Cohen (musician)
Adam Cohen is a Canadian musician, singer-songwriter, and frontman of the band Low Millions. As a recording artist, he has released three major label albums, two in English and one in French...
, son of famed singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
Leonard Norman Cohen, is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet and novelist. Cohen published his first book of poetry in Montreal in 1956 and his first novel in 1963. His work often explores religion, isolation, sexuality and interpersonal relationships...
. Eventually, Chris hooked up with Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
(the same label his father's band called home) And the then 23-year-old released his solo debut album, 100 Year Thing, in January 1998.
Growing up listening to Buffalo Springfield
Buffalo Springfield
Buffalo Springfield is a North American folk rock band renown both for its music and as a springboard for the careers of Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Richie Furay and Jim Messina. Among the first wave of North American bands to become popular in the wake of the British invasion, the group combined...
, CSN
CSN
CSN might be an acronym or abbreviation for:Companies* CSN Stores* Calvary Satellite Network* Centrala Studiestödsnämnden...
, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
, Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
, and the Police
The Police
The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For the vast majority of their history, the band consisted of Sting , Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland...
, Chris also drew influences from both parents (especially his father's folk-rock) to create his own blend of 1960s-inspired rock, folk, and blues on 100 Year Thing. Other influences came from Chris' experience playing over the years with acts like the Jayhawks and Alt. Country singer Ryan Adams
Ryan Adams
David Ryan Adams is an American alt-country/rock singer-songwriter, from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Initially part of the group Whiskeytown, Adams left the band and released his first solo album Heartbreaker in 2000...
.
Chris's 2nd solo album simply entitled "Chris Stills", was released overseas in October 2005 after he was signed by then president of V2 Records
V2 Records
V2 Records is a record label that is owned by Universal Music Group as of October 2007. The label was founded in 1996 by Richard Branson, five years after he sold Virgin Records to EMI....
Alain Artaud. The record found its way to Canada and onto stateside shelves the following May 2006.
He also supported Richard Ashcroft
Richard Ashcroft
Richard Paul Ashcroft is an English singer-songwriter. He was the lead singer and occasional guitarist of alternative rock band The Verve from their formation in 1990 until their split in 1999, and continues as a lead vocalist working with guitars and keyboards...
on a European Tour.
Recorded at the Studio du Palais, the live EP When the Pain Dies Down: Live in Paris appeared later.
Beginning in August 2007, Chris toured with Mandy Moore
Mandy Moore
Amanda Leigh "Mandy" Moore is an American singer-songwriter, actress and fashion designer. Moore became famous as a teenager in the late 1990s, after the release of her teen pop albums So Real, I Wanna Be with You, and Mandy Moore. In 2007, she took an adult pop-folk direction with the release of...
in a small venue tour, opening for her in 15+ shows across the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Chris played in France in 2009 the role of Julius Caesar in the blockbuster Musical Cleopatra.