Comment of the Moment: A Roadtrip and Note from Neil
The Neil Young Comment of the Moment is something very special and helps explain why Neil's music means so much, to so many.
From the tour opener in Albany, we had a very heartfelt comment from Doug from Warsaw N.Y.:
I had great 4th row seats for Albany but was unable to attend because my wife (Barbara) passed away on 5/6/2010. I was back and forth about whether to go or not to go.
I decided not to because the 570 mile round trip would have been to much for me and I wanted to be sure to be rested for tonight's show at Shea's in Buffalo. The last time my wife saw Neil was at Shea's on 11/30/07. My wife had been on the liver transplant list for 5 years. She died waiting at age 56. Needless to say Her passing zapped my excitement for the concert and I didn't think I would get it back.
After reading about Hitchhiker I started to feel the excitement again. 13 hours and counting until I see Neil for the 33rd time. I have the best seat in the house. 15 seats in Front PIT Row AAA, I have seat number 8. That puts me about 2 feet from the stage, dead center. I paid 1200.00 for the Front row PIT tickets and drove up to ST. Cathrines Ontario to retrieve them.
Unlikely Neil will hear of my wife's passing but Her favorite song was Harvest Moon. We attended the 1992 Saratoga Springs Solo concert. Can't wait, I plan on discreetly getting some close up pics, hopefully it won't piss Neil or anyone else off.
Doug from Warsaw N.Y.
So what happened to Doug in Buffalo? Well, hang on, and keep on reading.
Here's Doug's report on Neil Young in concert in Buffalo:
Buffalo was a very special night for me.
I got there early hoping to see Neil's bus again. The 1948 Buick Roadmaster tops built into the roof line really make impress me. Not sure if I told you that my Dad had a Buick Dealership until 1971. My grandmother's last car was a 48 Roadmaster. I was hanging around the bus while Neil was doing the sound check.
I didn't think Neil would come out after the sound check but He did. There were a few fans holding there pens out and much to my surprise Neil signed 3 autographs. I asked Him if He could do 1 more and He said No that's it. I said Neil my wife passed away on 5/6/10 and I would really be grateful. He asked me, are you the guy who posted on the website, i said yes, thats me. He knew my name, He took my ticket envelope and wrote, To Doug, Love Neil Young.
I went back to my car and just cried.
I could feel the presence of "GOD". I don't know why my wife had to suffer so long or why "GOD" called Her home first instead of me. I am grateful for the good times we had, and the not so good. Some things are just humanly imposable, I couldn't bear the thought of losing Her, or GOD calling my number first and leaving Her behind.
It was a perfect concert from start to finish.
I was 2 feet from the stage directly in front of Neil's chair. I was close enough to see His eyes welling up with heart felt emotion. Out of respect I refrained from taking pics. I lost my resolve and took 1 pic just before the end of the last encore " Hey Hey , My, My (electric).
As a final touch Neil ripped the strings on "Old Black". And if by chance you read this Neil, I would just like to thank GOD for making you, and you for all the that you've given us for all these years.
Doug S. Warsaw N.Y.
Thanks Doug & bless you.
More concert reviews from Neil Young's "Twisted Road" Tour.
by thrasher@PermaLink: 5/21/2010 05:39:00 AM
22 comments
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22 Comments:
Doug, I don't know what to say, I'm just so touched.....
Thank you for sharing this and thank you, Neil!
Love
Liza
Doug, I don't profess to be a religious person, but to be touched by the hand of two "Gods" , well...
One definitely works in strange ways and mine is not to reason why.
Please stay strong for Barbara and cherish those memories that are so dear to you..
Treat Neil as your medication,your solace in this time of need..the wheat are your family..a place to liaise,to just talk and confide.
What is it about the Month of May?
Liza, I'm thinking of you, as it is also the first anniversary of my father's death..
They say 'time' heals..but the wounds cut deep..to all that have lost a love one, I feel for you
I find therapy in Neil's music and certain songs pull on my heartstrings too i.e. 'You and me' from 'Dreamin' man'.
Hang in there Doug we are all here for you
luv doc
That is the most touching story I've read on here, Doug.
I don't know what else to say.
Thanks Doug, thanks Thrasher, thanks Neil.
Davie from Scotland.
Doug
So glad I had the opportunity to meet you before the show (by the equipment truck with the Neil sillouhette) - So happy the show was so meaningful to you as it was to me too. Long May You Run!
Brenda
Doug, sorry to hear about your wife's passing, my condolences.
I'm glad to hear what a special experience you had at the show.
That is what music is for. The best music is for the soul. It speaks to you on a different level....that can't be put into words. It sooths you by pulling you in and makes you remember the best times or forget the worst, if just for a short time. Music can bring you to the highest highs and reach you at your lowest lows. Its such a fleeting thing and makes us remember how temporary everything is...a moment, a day, a life, even a song is just a few minutes. The best music grabs you by the lapel and says "listen now because now is all you have"
With all the bullshit in life, we forget how fast it all goes by by. A song can remind us. That's the best therapy in my opinion.
Hope this makes sense.
Peace.
Doug, that is one of the best stories I've ever heard! I'm so sorry for your wife's passing. I'm so glad you got to meet Neil and have him know exactly who you were and do one last autograph for you! I'm so happy to hear about that!
And Thrasher, it's good news that Neil stays up to date on your site! I haven't commented on here for a while but I do check it at least 5 times a day and I love reading all the concert reviews. I'm going with my dad to see Neil in D.C. on Monday. It'll be my second time since the CSNY 2006 tour and I am so excited (I'm only 19 now). Hope the rest of the shows are amazing and to whoever posted the Albany recording to download thank you very much! I've been listening to it nonstop!
Hope everyone else has enjoyable concert experiences on this tour and I hope the crowd in D.C. will be more respectful to Jansch, the man is amazing. Also, does anyone know if Jansch played "Needle Of Death?" That song is so touching and to hear where the tune from "Ambulance Blues" came from live would be something.
"and to whoever posted the Albany recording to download thank you very much! I've been listening to it nonstop!"
Please tell me where that is, I can't find it? If we could get Buffalo that would be the best as I was there. THANKS in advance from the 'Old Man'
Here ya go. It was posted on the Albany review thread.
http://www.2shared.com/file/QxxYhY_H/ny2010-05-18flac16.html
Just click on the 'Save file to your PC: click here' part, and NOT the button.
Beautiful, Doug. Thank you.
"Life carries on in the people I meet, in everyone that's out on the street..."
Wow, this is truly a wonderfull and touching story. Neil's a great man, not only in his work but also in the way he treat people. I've been inspired by him to pick up a guitar and owe so much to him just because of that, I've been trough tough times the last years and still am actually and music and especially that guitar are the only things that can really make me feel better and every time I play it I feel like paying a little bit back to Neil. Stories like Doug's make me want to pay him back even more.
Lots of strength to you Doug!
"There's a kiss at the end of the rainbow
More precious than a pot of gold"
Michael McKean & Annette O'Toole
"We should find perfect existence through imperfect existence. We should find perfection in imperfection. For us, complete perfection is not different from imperfection. The eternal exists because of non-eternal existence."
Suzuki Roshi
Hang in there Doug and keep on the sunny side of life. And thanks so much for sharing your story...I am much inspired by your strength and honesty.
Your Friend in Neil
Mr Henry
Doug, thank you so much for bravely sharing this very emotional story with us. I`m not good with words but, as Jimmy McDonough says somewhere in `Shakey`, amazing things sometimes happen when Neil`s around and you were certainly touched by his magic.
Thank you also Thrasher for making this site so good that Neil himself takes the time to read it.
If anyone doubts whether Neil cares about his audience, just remember this story and the `Harvest Moon` stories from last year.
And thank you Neil just for being you.
love, Jill
Awesome story. I too had a wonderful experience in the second row center in Albany. The best word I can find to describe my experience is rapture. I feel so much better since that show. Perhaps the heavens did open that night and their was a direct energy connection. I don't know if it was because of the holiday or just timing in my life, but something just clicked in me that night. Thanks, Neil. .....CT!
Traditional Chinese Medicine says sound is the original healer. Musicians especially are conduits of healing energy.
Hi Doug. There is nothing anyone can say really, but know that I get how things are. My wife and I saw Neil in aberdeen (Scotland)in June last year. In October she and my father both passed away on the same day within hours of each other, totally unrelated deaths. So, my thoughts are with you and yours. There are things that will get you through and Neil is one of them. I have a crazy horse tribute band here in the uk and it was almost a year before I could manage to do a show let alone pick up a guitar but it will get better
David
That's a great story all around Doug, although your particular circumstances are heart breaking I know. But it just goes to show you that "A little love and affection, in everything you do, will make the world a better place..." It doesn't take much to "Find someone who's turning, and you will come around." It could be listening to music, a wonderful memory of something that used to make your wife happy, a kind word here and there from someone who is sympathetic to what your going through, or even a heartfelt gesture... Keep looking for all the love and support that is there to be found, starting out with all of us who share so much in common where it comes to Neil. Glad you made the concert, I bet the happiest person of all is your wife. Take care and hang in there.
Greg M (A Friend Of Yours)
Doug, I was there along side of you when Neil gave out the three autographs. I asked Neil for an autograph signed to Nicolette. He paused and thought for a moment and as he signed, I explained that it was for my daughter. (We did name her after Nicolette Larson who many know was a close friend to Neil.) My wife, and daughter Nicolette and I shared this special moment with you in the parking lot after. It was a night to remember for all of us. The autograph will be a keepsake in our family for years to come. We were happy to have shared this night with you and especially thrilled that you finally connected with him after so many years.
God bless you and may you always know that in a most spiritual way, your wife was standing there with us all.
Bill
To David James - that is just so dreadfully sad that you lost two family members on the same day. It`s difficult enough going through the grieving process after one bereavement.
But as you know, with grieving comes gradual healing and I`m so glad you can play guitar again now.
Good luck with your Crazy Horse tibute band! Neil`s a healer to me, without a doubt.
Love, Jill
hey Jilly everyone seems to have a favourite Neil cliche lyric they like to use as a moral and when it comes to seeing Neil's live concerts, I think you said the ultimate lyrical cliche....Don't be denied!
luv doc
P.s. didn't make London unfortunately for our 'on the beach' liaison...Iceland volcano :1
Doc: no score
Hey Doc! I think one of the amazing things about being a Neil fan is that there`s always a song/album/phrase for every mood and every emotion you feel. Because he opens his heart to us so truthfully it`s easy to connect with his words and apply them to your own situation. Gosh, that was a bit wordy for me!
Shame you couldn`t make the trip Doc, our human endeavours soon collapse when Mother Earth starts Rumblin`! Lovin` the new songs!
luv, Jilly
I simply want to tell a similar story. When Neil played the acoustic Greendale concert in Antwerp, i heard that a friend of someone in the audience died in an accident a few days before he could go to the concert. At the end of the first part, the person in the audience dropped a note on the stage in front of Neil. When Neil came back for his second set he said during the concert "This is a song for a friend of mine who had a ticket but couldn't come" ... and then he played Tell Me Why, as requested on the tiny note ... i assume this says it all ....
Went to Wallingford to see Neil again; no regrets on this inspirational night except that the letter I gave him via TM wasn't signed. Hope you got it, Neil, hope you read it because it came from the heart. The concert is still playing through my head and if I could get myself to Nashville I'd see you there . . . If you want to reply you can find me at canonchethorsefarm.com. My daughter Eliza's there with her horse, Ben, who wanted to tell you how much she loves singing Human Highway with me when I play it on my guitar.
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