Neil Young (b. 1945)

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Biography

Neil Percival Young is a Canadian and American singer-songwriter. Son of journalist, sportswriter, and novelist Scott Young, Neil embarked on a music career in Winnipeg in the 1960s. Young moved to Los Angeles, forming the folk rock group Buffalo Springfield. His solo career, often backed by the band Crazy Horse, includes critically acclaimed albums such as Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere (1969), After the Gold Rush (1970), Harvest (1972), On the Beach (1974), and Rust Never Sleeps (1979). He was also a part-time member of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, with whom he recorded the chart-topping 1970 album Déjà Vu.

In Their Own Words (5)

I've seen the needle and the damage done.A little part of it in everyone.But every junkie's like a settin' sun.

The Needle and the Damage Done , 1972

A dreamer of picturesI run in the night.You see us together,Chasing the moonlight,My cinnamon girl.

Cinnamon Girl , 1969

See the lonely boy, out on the weekend,Tryin' to make it pay.Can't relate to joy, he tries to speak andCan't begin to say.

Out On The Weekend , 1972

Old man take a look at my lifeI'm a lot like you.I need someone to love meThe whole day through.Ah, one look in my eyesAnd you can tell that's true.

Old Man , 1972

There is a town in north Ontario,With dream comfort memory to spare,And in my mind I still need a place to go,All my changes were there.

Helpless, from Déjà Vu (1970) , 1970

Timeline

The story of Neil Young, told in moments.

1969 Event

Joins Crosby, Stills & Nash. They become Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Their second show together is Woodstock. He refuses to be filmed during their set. The supergroup dynamic is electric and combustible. He leaves and comes back. Leaves and comes back. The pattern holds for decades.

Was refusing to be filmed at Woodstock the first act of defiance? Did the supergroup dynamic with Crosby, Stills & Nash feel sustainable? Is leaving and coming back the pattern of your life?

1972 Event

Releases Harvest. "Heart of Gold" hits number one. The album sells millions. He immediately recoils from the success. His next albums are deliberately abrasive, lo-fi, and commercial poison. He calls it the "ditch trilogy." He'd rather be honest than popular.

Was recoiling from the success of Harvest deliberate? Did the 'ditch trilogy' feel like honesty? Would you rather be honest than popular?

1979 Life

Records Rust Never Sleeps, bridging acoustic folk and distorted punk. The closing track, "Hey Hey, My My," contains the line "it's better to burn out than to fade away." Kurt Cobain quotes it in his suicide note. Young carries that weight.

Does Kurt Cobain quoting your lyrics in his suicide note weigh on you? Was 'it's better to burn out than to fade away' a philosophy or just a line? Did Rust Never Sleeps bridge folk and punk intentionally?

2022 Life

Demands Spotify remove his music over Joe Rogan's podcast spreading vaccine misinformation. They remove Young's catalog. He doesn't blink. He's 76 and still picking fights with anyone who deserves one.

Was demanding Spotify remove your music the principle worth the cost? Is picking fights at 76 the same thing you've always done? Does anyone who deserves it escape your attention?