One of the real giants of the music scene in the late 60’s, Neil Young flew mainly below the radar focusing on non-popular music as opposed to popular…or “POP” music.
Born on 12 November 1945 in Toronto Canada, Neil had a problematic childhood struggling with his health, suffering from all of epilepsy, Type 1 diabetes and polio. By the age of six his health had deteriorated to the extent that he could not walk. Over time Neil recovered from his ailments, and mainly through his mother’s encouragement he nurtured an interest in music
Following his parents divorce in 1960 Neil went to live with his mother in Winnipeg. During his school years he was more interested in music than academia, playing in numerous bands before forming his first band the Squires. This was in 1963 at the age of 18. Like other musicians featured before him, Neil Young dropped out of school to pursue a career in music.
During this time while playing on the Canadian folk circuit he was exposed to fellow Canadian musicians, including Joni Mitchell, The Guess Who and Stephen Stills. He briefly got involved with a band named The Mynah Birds but the band disbanded before completing an album for the Colombia label
Bloody hell….. I am glad he did not stick to that stuff
In 1966 he and Bruce Palmer hopped into Young’s Pontiac Cadillac and drove the long road to Los Angeles. In LA he again bumped into Stephen Stills, and along with Bruce Palmer, Richie Furay and Dewey Martin formed the band Buffalo Springfield. In December 1966 they released an album by the same name, with “What it’s worth” making the Top 10 on the US charts.
A considerable improvement on The Mynah Birds …. I am still scarred from listening to that .
By 1968 strain within the Buffalo Springs ranks meant Neil Young once again went off on his own, signing with Reprise Record label where he released his first solo album simply called “Neil Young”. Reception was lukewarm. His second album using Crazy Horse as his backing band “Everybody knows this is nowhere” highlighted the definitive sound of Young’s voice.
Neil was still in contact with Stephen Stills, and soon hooked up with Stills, Graham Nash (formerly with The Hollies) and David Crosby (formerly of the Byrds) to form Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Performing at Woodstock (MAN, what a concert that must have been!!) they were propelled into the mainstream. Their debut album Déjà vu ensured their fame.
Sweet Judy Blue Eyes performed at Woodstock
It's getting to the point where I'm no fun anymore
I am sorry
Sometimes it hurts so badly I must cry out loud
I am lonely
I am yours, you are mine, you are what you are
You make it hard
Remember what we've said and done and felt about each other
Oh, babe have mercy
Don't let the past remind us of what we are not now
I am not dreaming
I am yours, you are mine, you are what you are
You make it hard
Again Neil Young could not cope with being part of a band (my opinion) as there was once again contention and he struck out on his own.
Neil Young finally delivered on his promise, and started producing music which won him legions of fans throughout the world (including yours truly) ……. Album ‘After the Gold Rush’ had three hit singles ..including Southern Man, a condemnation of racism which raised some ire in the southern states
Southern man
Better keep your head
Don't forget
What your good book said
Southern change
Gonna come at last
Now your crosses
Are burning fast
Southern man
I saw cotton
And I saw black
Tall white mansions
And little shacks.
Southern man
When will you
Pay them back?
I heard screamin'
And bullwhips cracking
How long? How long?
His second album was his best work and is truly a classic… in the full meaning of the word. HARVEST, which contained numbers such as “Needle and the Damage Done”, “Old Man” and for me, the very personal “Heart of Gold”.
Performing live to an intimate audience, both Old Man and Heart of Gold
There is so much to Neil Young’s life and music that I could do three separate posts. I will now include a track from each of the following decades to illustrate how his music changed with the times…. Moving between folk, country and rock. Neil Young was never boring.
Hawks and Doves from 1980’s
1990 and for me one of his best numbers …. Crank it up .. Keep on Rocking in the Free World
Bonus track…My My Hey Hey with Crazy Horse in 1991, a tribute to Johnny Rotten of The Sex Pistols
I just love the lyrics
Like Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan, Neil Young is still very active in music. He has founded a foundation for disabled children which is ably supported by charity performances from Pearl Jam, Paul McCartney, Beck, Bruce Springsteen and others.
Again full justice not done to a music legend… need to do books not blogs. Thanks for reading and hopefully listening !!! Until tomorrow….
I am featuring artists from the 60’s and 70’s from diverse genre’s over the next few months. If you love music … FOLLOW and take the journey with me..it is going to be one thrilling ride !! Furthermore I will only be featuring artists from MY vinyl collection, and I shall start all of the posts with a photo of an album cover to authenticate
Credits: www.metacritic.com/music
http://www.biography.com/people/neil-young-9539612#synopsis
Album covers (my own)
Check out the previous Music Legends
Leonard Cohen
The Doors
Bob Dylan
The Rolling Stones
60’s Protest Artists
Janis Joplin