A Look Back at Neil Young Appreciation Society (NYAS)
Welcome to "Wheat of the Moment"!
"Wheat of the Moment" is a new feature here on Thrasher's Wheat as Neil Young’s 2017 self imposed touring sabbatical continues (updated here and here), and we continue our journey into the past of the TW Archives.
In addition, we recently, we posted the sad news that there will be No Bridge School Benefit Concert in 2017 . In memory of all of the Bridge School Benefit Concerts we've attended over the years, here's a posting of our thoughts on Remembering The Warmth & Love of Bridge School Concerts .
In the meantime, enjoy the "Wheat of the Moment"!
Here's a recent letter received by Kevin Driver in Morro Bay, CA.
Hi Thrasher,
With Neil going somewhat quiet for 2017, your recent Blog posts that have aimed to fill the gap have to me at least proven quite the antidote. So it accord to me earlier today as I was going through my Neil “Boots” section (Mr. Young you might want to stop reading if you are around) and in the spirit of looking back let’s not forget the contribution the NYAS has made over the years to not only other fans but also to Neil in helping to get the word out.
To put this in context I first came across NYAS back in 1981 when attending Neil 1982 Transband Tour stop September 26 at Wembley. This was my first Neil show having become a fan around the mid 70’s. I did not get the chance to see him in ‘76 at Hammersmith so I was quite keen to get to this show. Walking in to the arena through some waist height white iron gates where long thin strips of paper with details of NYAS. Just fill them in with a simple membership fee and viola you got the late great Broken Arrow magazine.
I let my membership lapse in 1985 as that year I left England for Chicago however I never lost my interest in Neil. Even though I was not an official member of NYAS any more I still kept a close eye on them by being able to purchase Broken Arrow at my local Tower Records (those were the days), and on through the years via Hyperrust and then yourself Thrasher. Thrasher you are the last of a distinguished tradition of getting Mr. Young activities out there and keep up your great work.
Anyway back to the point at hand like I said as I was working through my Neil stuff I came across two publications that I think warrant a mention.
The first piece you and fellow Thrasher Wheat readers might enjoy is a NYAS publication titled “Neil Young”. This is not an official Broken Arrow magazine and a quick look at the current NYAS web site has no mention of it. I’m not even sure I remember where I found it whether here in the US or back in the UK but I include the cover and the first page. This was obviously way before the internet and finding stuff like this was invaluable to help with getting good Neil content.
The second piece is another official NYAS publication which I found at Tower back in the late 80’s (if I remember correctly) authored by two famous NYAS participants Bruno Fisson and Alan Jenkins. This book specializing in “unofficial” content I find special not only for its content but how the NYAS community help get it published by utilizing a very ahead of its time crowd sourcing funding system, where NYAS subscribed to the book. I guess you could say they pre-ordered it and those involved where noted in the back of the book.
So long live NYAS and you too Thrasher and thanks for all the great Neil content over the years.
Kevin Driver
Morro Bay, CA.
Thanks for writing Kevin! Wonderful memories to share! And trunks more to come.
Labels: broken arrow, neil young, nyas
by thrasher@PermaLink: 9/02/2017 04:00:00 PM
7 comments
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7 Comments:
Yes sad that Broken Arrow Mag folded, I remember getting the hand out at Wembley arena and joining the next day and still have my membership card (175). It held lots of useful information for it"s time, show reviews, song listings, photos of our hero etc.
How times have changed and moved on, oh well.
Nice flashback article. Use to go to Tower Records for the fanzine magazine until they started selling out or just not getting them in. So, I subscribed till the end. Loved the indepth articles,boot reviews and talbes of the set lists for the tour. Getting the magazine was like buying a new NY lp. And bought the boot book which was my go to for NY shows. Miss the days that use to be.
Hi Kevin,
And thanks for looking back more than 30 years ago !
I didn’t know I was "a famous NYAS participant"…
I also didn’t know that I would be co-founder of a "crowd sourcing funding system" ... It was especially the idea of Alan Jenkins.
But sure I’m still (and always was) a Neil Lover.
The hairs of my arms always stand when I listen to his music.
But now it happens that tears come to my eyes !
Hello Alan, where are you ?
Best from eastern France to everyone here.
Bruno Fisson.
BA was a brilliant read - it would be interesting to see how it would have reflected the last few years of Neil's music and life.
1st, thanks again to Kevin for the "Wheat of the Moment"! We feel it's very important to honor the NYAS's contributions to the Neil community.
And if anyone else out there has any potential "Wheat of the Moment", please do not hesitate to harvest, bale and send to market for all to enjoy the bounty.
@ downbutnotout - Hang onto that card. Wow, a triple digit card. You just never know what it might turn out to be good for someday.
@ David - the days that used to be can still be the days that are and will be.
@ bruno - hey, great to see you drop by
And congratulations on pioneering a "crowd sourcing funding system". Only a few decades ahead of KickStarter, etc. Well, typical of Neil fans. So far ahead of the curve that we're just considered weird.
And we hope we never lose that "hairs of my arms always stand when I listen to his music" feeling either.
Just had a moment last night listening to HitchHiker. So intimate that, yes, it brings tears to our eyes, as well.
No words on Alan's whereabouts these days. Or Scott's for that matter.
Unless Scott is the Scotsman?!
All the best to eastern France!
@ Andy - good question. Well, never too late to try and re-start NYAS. We understand the membership database is still intact and looking for the right volunteer,
I came to this thread kinda late but nonetheless am a Rustie who dearly misses the Broken Arrow fanzine.
Thought Alan did a masterful job of taking over the reins and then Scott as well.
My wife gave me a subscription in 1990 and I was with it until the very end.
Can't find my card research get now but know it will show itself someday again.
I also have the BA "On a Journey thru the Past" book which has highlights from the first 50 issues.
Enjoy the memories
Thank you to the NYAS, Broken Arrow, and Alan Jenkins for first publishing my research on Neil Young`s time in Winnipeg and his Canadian years. Broken Arrow devoted issue no. 23 entirely to my Squires story. Doing so helped me launch my music his writing career. Kudos to the NYAS. I still have all my copies of Broken Arrow.
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