A statement by Billy Talbot (from comments below):
All four of us in the Horse are extremely disappointed in this turn of events. We've never had to cancel a show before. After being together for 40 years, we know there's no way we can play without Poncho, or any one of us. The four of us have to be there for it to be NYCH. If there's any way that we could have played these shows, we would be there. This is an extremely hard twist of fate for us to accept.Thanks Billy! We all love the "unified passion". Keep ridin' that crazy horse.
One of the reasons that we love what we're doing and it rocks so much, is the fact that we respect that it comes from the four of us. A unified passion.
Crazy Horse's Frank "Poncho" Sampedro
Cleveland, OH, Oct. 8
Photo by thrasher
UPDATED: From Press Release - August 20, 2013:
HAMILTON: September Seventh Entertainment Limited announced today at a press conference that that the Greenbelt Harvest Picnic will be offering partial discounts to Picnic ticket holders in light of the cancellation of Neil Young & Crazy Horse on Monday. Picnic Founder and Producer , Jean-Paul Gauthier, also stated that more acts are being added to the Picnic line up which will also include a second stage in the centre of the show field. This year’s line up includes Emmylou Harris, Daniel Lanois, Arkells, Whitehorse, Basia Bulat, Trixie Whitley, Rocco DeLuca, Harlan Pepper, Pegi Young & The Survivors and Ohnia:kara on Saturday August 31st at Christie Lake Conservation Area in Dundas, Ontario. Gates open at 11AM and show starts at 12PM. The event serves to celebrate the importance of the Greenbelt, local farmers, art, the outdoors and the eat-local movement.
Gauthier stated, “We are persevering with the 2013 Greenbelt Harvest Picnic despite the cancellation of Neil Young & Crazy Horse by offering ticket purchasers a partial refund of $40”. Gauthier added, “We will be announcing new acts in the days leading up to the Picnic and fans can expect another great event despite the disappointing news”.
Ticket buyers will be receiving refunds at point of purchase. Ticket buyers who purchased through TicketMaster will be contacted by TicketMaster. Ticket buyers who purchased from consignment locations, can pick up their refund beginning Saturday August 24th at 10AM. All buyers must bring photo ID and their tickets to receive their refund.
SSEL also announced today that Harrison Kennedy has been added to the lineup. Kennedy is a multiple Juno and Maples Blues Awards nominee and multiple Hamilton Music Award winner. Kennedy was a member of the Detroit based band Chairman of the Board. In 2013, Kennedy released the album, Soulscape.
Gauthier also announced today that the Greenbelt Harvest Picnic Pre-Party with Pegi Young & The Survivors at This Ain’t Hollywood on August 29th is completely sold out.
Original post
The news that Neil Young And Crazy Horse's are canceling the remaining N. American Concert Tour Dates hit fans hard. Very hard.
Much anguish and despair. See a sample of some the tweets flying about:
I hope Neil Young will remember Nelson County don't need him around anyhow... pic.twitter.com/jipXaiaSiD
— Becky (@FelixNadarism) August 20, 2013
If Crazy Horse can't make @ottawafolk, why doesn't Neil Young do some of his acoustic stuff? It is supposed to be a folk festival.
— Tom MacGregor (@MacGregorTom) August 20, 2013
@danlanois Hey Dan, I paid an ENORMOUS amount of money to see Neil Young. I am not rich and I want a full refund!!!!!!!!!!!
— Derby Kirby (@derbykirby) August 20, 2013
A press conference is scheduled this morning at 11:00 AM by the Greenbelt Harvest Picnic, Christie Lake - Dundas, Ontario organizers.
All that aside, as happened earlier after the Europe Tour Cancellation, much discussion of "The Show Must Go On!". Many Comments on Thrasher's Wheat -- and elsewhere implored Neil to play. Somehow, some way.
Solo acoustic. A trio. A substitute. Let Poncho play keyboards.
Well, not to repeat ourselves again like deja vu all over again, but this is Neil. Shakey. His way or the highway. That's the Neil deal.
There was a bunch of chatter about what would Bruce Springsteen do? But Neil's not Bruce. And not to sound all sanctimonious, but that's why there are Bruce fans and Neil fans. And if you don't get it, you don't get it.
Get well Poncho.
And thanks Ralph for setting us all straight.
"We will play again" and I will be there. Great news! Fuck the doubters.
ReplyDeleteI love this guy who is for some reason yelling at Daniel Lanois, as if he's somehow behind it. WTF
ReplyDeleteAny word on Farm Aid? Any chance this will still be a Horse show or are we just suppose to assume it will be Neil solo?
ReplyDeleteThanks Ralph! BRING ON THE HORSE!
ReplyDeleteAnd about the Stones: I was just listening to Brussels Affair 1971 (download from Stones site). Man, they were awesome and when I listen to it I have to say that I can't even see the Stones without Mick Taylor.... Well, that's history, but, hell, what a great live band at that time. Maybe even better than the Horse... okay, okay, I will stop.
So good to hear the Horse is still running and that it's only Poncho who fucked up this tour...
BSM
Looking on the bright side of all of this, as Ralph says, The Horse will ride again.
ReplyDeleteThat's very good as many felt that this was it for the Horse. Back to the Barn and put to Pasture.
With these cancellations, it seems certain that NY/Lookout Mgt will need to make good on all of this. So maybe a whole another world tour next year? Maybe another CH album?
If that's what comes, someday we'll look back on this much like the "Ham Sandwich Affair" back in '97.
I feel like I've been repeating myself endlessly on this point over on Facebook so I may as well say it here too: I had tickets to four of the cancelled shows, on both sides of the Atlantic, but I absolutely understand and respect Neil's decision to cancel, disappointed though I am. To sub someone else in would be literally adding insult to Poncho's injury, and in any case he's an irreplaceable member of the band (as they all are). So I wish him a full and quick recovery, and I look forward to seeing Crazy Horse again in the future, in all its ragged, glorious entirety.
ReplyDelete(And by the way, there are those of us who are Neil fans AND Bruce fans, by the way...).
Well said jen... i was lucky enough to see them on this tour...great memories of all of them...wouldn't have been the same if poncho wasn't there.. still feel bad for you and all the other's..but, as he said.. They will ride again
DeletePhew! At least we are not waiting for Danny Whitten to get better
ReplyDeleteWhen did Ralph Molina decide that the NYCH would tour now or again in the future? Neil makes the decisions and I'm not sure he's covered himself in glory on this. Ralph may not know it but they've been out to pasture. Not even a field of opportunity.
ReplyDelete7The issue is not about Poncho getting hurt and I hope he gets better but the show cancelations. Unfortunatly when you have a track record of blowing off shows and tours like Neil has then youre going to get these reactions
ReplyDeleteWith close to two weeks to the next show Neil could have chose to bill the shows as Neil Young and no
crazy horse, He could have chosen to do that. And in todays social media world the word would be out in minutes. Neil chose to cancel the shows. In the process a lot of people get burned I respect Neil's decision but don't agree with it on many levels. You can bet a lot of promoters and venues will take note. But that's why they call him Shakey right?
oLo
They're all pushing 70 F'n years old for god's sake. Leave em' alone. Ralph's right.....crap happens. They may not be back...who knows? Sure, it sucks, but taking it personally is such a huge waste of valuable mental energy.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand the cancellation, but... partial refunds for Harvest Picnic? Partial? Neil + CH were the *headliners* of that festival. I think there are going to be MANY people (myself included) who are not interested in going to this festival now that Crazy Horse won't be there. It's only fair to offer full refunds if people don't want to go. I have no interest in paying $100 to see some bands that I'm only marginally interested in. I was OK with seeing them while waiting for Crazy Horse, but I would never choose to pay $100 to see them on their own.
ReplyDelete"Social media would get the word out"? Really dude? Then why did so many people whine about excessive feed back on this site? People would have hung him out to dry no matter what the decision.
ReplyDeleteSetz
"Really Dude" why not keep to the
ReplyDeletepoint of the discussion. the decision to cancel the tour was Neil's and we can agree or disagree
Neil could have easily done a two hour acoustic performance. He chose not to. A lot of people getting burned along the way.
as a long time neil fan i find the whole discussion of playing solo or some other form purely outrageous. no one goes out on tour with a back up plan if someone gets hurt. this whole tour has been about crazy horse its simply wishful thinking that neil would do any thing different than he did if you dont think they feel as bad as any of us your not following along , i respect the decision and will be ready for whatever comes alomg next. to all the doubters that have bashed this tour and neils recent productivity dont spook the horse you just might step in shiiiiiiii... keep on on rockin neil and crazy horse!!!
ReplyDeleteA part refund is fraud, nothing else, this was the headline act,
ReplyDeleteDid you hear the adverts in the last months
This part refund is B.S
A part refund is fraud, nothing else, this was the headline act,
ReplyDeleteDid you hear the adverts in the last months
This part refund is B.S
I have just been shit on,
ReplyDeletesome people must have lots of $
Bitterly disappointing, but was prepared for this news. Not angry at Neil or the band.
ReplyDeleteWas heading up from Austin for the Port Chester show, with visions of it being one of the all time greats in such a small venue.
Oh well, I'll just hang out in NYC and make the most of the weekend.
I just hope the Horse gets to ride again, seems a crappy way to fizzle out on this chapter.
Thanks Billy! We all love the "unified passion". Keep ridin' that crazy horse.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and we all hope too see you guys down that road one more time.
Come back to London in the next 6 months, and all will be forgiven!
ReplyDeleteI think as wonderful as it is to hear Billy & Ralph assure, it always comes down to: gosh, Neil - just make a simple statement, you're the one as always calling the shots; perhaps something like - "Let Ralph heal, the horse will ride again"....but as we certainly now full well, Neil's not like everybody else blah blah blah - following him is like the old doctor joke - "Gee doc, it feels so good when I stop"....anyway, Neil - a little good will goes a long way, you're gonna have a whole lotta really nice folks falling all over themselves, ecstatic and happier than pigs in shit - go ahead, just do it - a simple statement, that is all - paul dionne
ReplyDeleteA unified passion.
ReplyDeleteThanks Billy.
After all these negative internet reactions it's feels good to get a reply from the Horse. Thanks again guys.
BSM
@Paul D - we hear you. It would be nice to hear something direct from Neil.
ReplyDeleteRemember "Buffalo Springfield Again"?
Sometimes its a song years after the fact. Maybe "Crazy Horse Again"? or "CSNY Again"?
Anyways, we think many see this thru the lens of show biz/celebrity mgt. If NY operated that way, then we'd see a more traditional response to the situation.
So it surprises us to a degree by how flabbergasted so many are by how this is all going down.
This is somewhat classic Shakey. It's just all part of the journey.
The Horse play as one. The best days are yet to come :)...
ReplyDeleteI'm fully with you, cosplusisin. I have tickets for Arrington, that I bought from the Neil Young presale site and I'm definitely not travelling 1000 miles to see anyone else. I work hard for my money. Arrington better not try offering sleazy partial refunds. I will be demanding a full refund, though I may not get it, knowing the sleazy scamminess that is rock ticketing. Anything less than a full refund is outrageous.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear the comments from Ralph and Billy tonight. Anyone who saw the shows in Europe (and undoubtedly in the US and in Aus/NZ before that) would have seen how much the guys were enjoying themselves and how much they'll have been disappointed with the cancellations. Those of us who had shows cancelled will be hopeful of getting to see the guys again (whenever that may be!) ...... And that most definitely includes Poncho!
ReplyDeleteNext NYCH record 'Gone Out To Graze' as Stills said Neil is wilfully erratic and wilfull. A fork in the road and no way back.
ReplyDeleteThis refund process for the Ottawa show is crappy... They got my visa ... Just put the cash back ... I have ti send the tickets back and before a 8 day deadline ....wtf ??
ReplyDeleteboo hoo hoo,
ReplyDeletecry cry cry
what a drag it is getting old. man.
sorry seams to be the hardest word.
Get well soon all you horse and lovers.
sometimes love....it's a bitch.
Gotta think Pegi's gigs will be well-attended as people hope for a Neil sit-in.
ReplyDeleteAlready posted a comment on Facebook as reply to Billy at the Rusties-group....... I'm so thankful to Ralph and Billy for getting in contact with us - the fans that have been following The Horses trail on that awesome ride since last year - in that state of disappointment. Their words come straight from the heart! What about a personal word from you Neil?
ReplyDeleteI simply want to say that "La Johnson" is extremely disrespectful with his chosen moniker. But beyond that, every single one of his comments are damning with very faint praise.
ReplyDeleteAre you a fan or not? It seems all you do is chime in with negativity on a consistent basis.
That's all...
No disrespect intended quite the opposite, not negative just giving a balance to the debate. On the site Neil appears to be able to do no wrong - just giving another view to this 'ride the horse' nonsense. There's more to this story than meets the eye.
ReplyDeleteI'll change it so don't worry - who really cares?
^ Typical troll. Takes a dead man's name while claiming "no disrespect." Like all trolls, pisses in the wind thinking it's a statement of some sort.
ReplyDeleteLa, you've been saying the same thing for years. "On this site, Neil can do no wrong!"
ReplyDeleteWith all due respect, you've beat the crap out of that fallacious Horse for a long time now, and it's a patent exaggeration.
Thrasher must have gotten blue in the face years ago from asserting over and over that people have the right to share whatever feelings they have, then getting angrily attacked as a Neil Cultist every time he argues back from the positive.
It's fine when people disagree, but if some folks would take the whole "Neil can do no wrong on this Nazi Website" logical fallacy off the table, that would facilitate a much more reasonable discussion.
Exaggeratedly accusing Thrasher, and others who tend to look at the positive side of things, of blindly fawning, is more an ad-hominem attack than a helpful addition to debate.
Some of us are more open and positive, and others are more cynical and negative. It's okay, and always has been.
Sorry - this just gets under my craw.
Anyway, carry on folks.
P.S. It sucks when you buy a ticket and the show gets cancelled, and it sucks if you can't get a full refund. But it's not Neil's fault if the festival promoters are trying to salvage the show. Also, it would be great if Neil did a 2-hour acoustic set, but I would bet that it takes a lot more than 2 weeks to get a long set list together and rehearse it enough to make it sound great. I'd rather Neil take a break than rush a gig and dishonor himself and his fans by playing a rushed, little-rehearsed acoustic set.
Just want to say get well soon--things happen for a reason--sometimes we find out later sometimes it isn't revealed to us at all in this lifetime.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the music and remain positive.
Personally I wondered how they could remain as enthusiastic as they did playing the same set list over and over and over again, so I know there is something deeper going on between all four of them that we don't see. I respect that and just am grateful for all they have given us...their hearts and soul and now an example of personal loyalty and friendship to each other as true artist and comrades.
Thanks to everyone.
@Matt - thanks.
ReplyDelete@LAJ - Over the years, your comments have consistently offended the regular readers of this blog.
In your comment above, you indicate you do this to give "balance to the debate". Please spare us the rationalization because we recognize it for exactly what it is -- trolling.
Furthermore, as has been requested multiple times, you've refused to change your handle. As noted, using the handle LA Johnson is very disrespectful of LA's memory & contributions to NY. And to use the handle to trash all that is Neil, this site and his fans is beyond reproach and we will no longer tolerate.
As suggested by many, you are hereby banned.
If you have questions or would like to post a complaint, go to Comments Policy.
As a Port Chester ticket holder, I'm definitely disappointed with the cancellations, but I was lucky to see them 4 times last year. I was really hoping to see Surfer Joe live, but what can you do? Things happen. I'm sorry to those who have lost travel and lodging expenses.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait too see what Neil's next move will be, and if it will include the Horse.
- vertigone
Thrasher:
ReplyDeleteRe: this creep calling himself "La Johnson"?
I have been holding myself back, trying to keep myself from making a nasty, personal, ad hominem attack on this disrespectful sack of shit. As the internet saying goes, "Obvious troll is obvious"...
I am certain that this creep will try to return under a different screen name, merely to stir up more shit and for what?
Keep up the great work, Thrasher, and this is a community but it would not be a community without YOUR efforts; I applaud you for your very liberal sense of tolerance.
But by all means, please ban these shit-fuckers with extreme prejudice as necessary.
Apologies for the profanities.
PEACE & LOVE
-- Eric in sunny FLA
See ya LA. Poncho gives his regards. See picture above.
ReplyDeleteThanks Thrasher!!
The Troll is gone!
ReplyDeleteNo more disrespect to the memory of the real LA Johnson.
Thank You
Thank You
Thank You
A blog like this is like an open party at someone's house. The host is very gracious to set the event up, provide refreshments and a steady stream of new material, and just go through the hassle to keep it going, despite the occasional drunken crasher and ill mannered guest. Thrasher has been astoundingly tolerant of these boors, all in trying to maintain the very open and generous spirit that animates the community. Thanks, Thrasher, it is appreciated.
ReplyDeleteSuggestion Neil-- some acoustic Les Noise and All Along the Watchtower. People are paying LOTS of cash taking planes taking time off from work to see you.
ReplyDeleteGotta say, good move in removing the troll. When you have one person making the experience of visiting TW miserable for 99% of the others, that person isn't doing the community any favors. Way to go, Thrasher. Two thumbs up.
ReplyDeletePeople still don't get it.
ReplyDelete"Why doesn't Neil do this? Why doesn't he do that? Why doesn't he do what I think he should do?"
Thankfully, he follows his own muse, and his own path. Headlining
an entire festival as an acoustic solo act, when people had been expecting Neil and the Horse would have been a huge letdown.
One of the downsides of the internet is that when people get disappointed about something, they get to whine and moan to the WORLD that may be watching, instead of just to their small circle of friends and family.
If a huge storm came through and they evacuated the grounds of the venue for your safety and cancelled the show, whould you still be complaining that you didn't get to see Neil and the band? Some of you probably would.
Get over it folks!
Wow, I hate to admit it but have to agree with you removing LA thrash. My comments sometimes piss people off too, not trying to piss people off(at least I don't think so), just saying my view; however, I think some people just want to cause a stink...everytime.
ReplyDeleteThrow your hatered down
Dug
Oh ya, Feel for the people that got screwed on this tour. I seen the Van show so I can only imagine your pain if you invested time, money, and soul into seeing the horse just to get screwed.
ReplyDeleteIts a tough psychedelic pill to swallow and I get the frustration; However, thats show business. Shit happens, you will all survive this.
Dug
Though it sounds like there are some who want an apology/explanation from Neil Young himself, he already has done so, on August 8, in Neil Young Times-
ReplyDelete"August 8, 2013
For immediate release:
Due to an accident involving Crazy Horse, the remaining dates on the Neil Young and Crazy Horse tour of Europe and the British isles have been cancelled. We are sorry for any inconvenience this causes to our fans or the Festivals where we were scheduled to appear. As you must be, we too are disappointed at this unfortunate turn of events.
-- Neil Young and Crazy Horse"
What more does anyone want? The specifics of refunds and touring again are technical, legal, and certainly far from settled or clear, so there's no point in getting into that. Aside from this statement, it seems that the next person to give any longer response would be Poncho, who probably feels pretty bad about the whole episode, in addition to the pain of the injury itself. Give the guy some time and space to heal.
If you ever heard Les Noise Neil does a mean solo act and it ain't all acoustic. The best version of Like a Hurricane (on Youtube) is when he played in 82 in Berlin without Crazy Horse. Fans that have followed Neil over the years know he is great with Crazy Horse and without.
ReplyDeleteThis is it for Crazy Horse. At least for a while. Within a month we'll get a report that Neil is working on something else. I really hope Ralph, Billy and Frank don't wait around like Richie Furay is.
ReplyDeleteDuring the Greendale Tour Young played the whole Greendale set with only Billy And Ralph even though Poncho was there to play the ending Crazy Horse portion. It would not have been impossible for Crazy Horse to continue touring especially if Nils Lofgren was available.
ReplyDelete