Letting music speak his mind, singer/songwriter Stephen Arthur Stills (1945-) wrote For What It's Worth as a member of the singing group Buffalo Springfield in 1966. With time, the powerful song endured as a political anthem that helped define the turbulent 60s.

Three years later, the versatile artist wrote Suite Judy Blue Eyes for his girlfriend at the time, singer Judy Collins. He released the passionate song on his 1st album with the classic rock group Crosby, Stills, and Nash.

"There are three things men can do with women," Stills once explained, "Love them, suffer for them, or turn them into literature."

Stills was born on this day in Dallas, Texas. He discovered a passion for music while in high school, then travelled around the U.S. searching for his creative niche. He said he "wanted to be the Beatles" after watching Hard Days Night.

A soulful singer, the renown guitarist favored unusual instrument tunings. Along with Crosby and Nash (and sometimes Neil Young), Stills created legendary songs with three-part harmonies. The group made history at Woodstock and withstood decades of addictions and creative conflicts, solo efforts and reconciliation.

"And if you can't be, with the one you love, Love the one you're with," Stills wrote in the 1970 hit, a tribute to his restless generation.

About the distinctive literate quality of his music, Stills said, "Changes, that's what our stuff is about: emotional, intellectual, musical."

Speak your mind.