UPDATED - The COVID Years: Neil Young Asks Spotify to Remove Music Over Vaccine Disinformation, Then Retracts Letter
Spotify is removing Neil Young’s catalogue from its service after the artist published —then took down — an open letter with an ultimatum: deal with the vaccine misinformation coming from Joe Rogan’s podcast, or lose his music
The Hollywood Reporter | http://thr.cm/gcBgAybUPDATED: As figures, no sooner do we publish post below, then Neil Young issues statement.
SPOTIFY - IN THE NAME OF TRUTH / THANKS FOR STANDING WITH ME
Neil Young on Times-Contrarian | NYA:
"Before I told my friends at Warner Bros about my desire to leave the SPOTIFY platform, I was reminded by my own legal forces that contractually I did not have the control of my music to do that. I announced I was leaving anyway, because I knew I was. I was prepared to do all I could and more just to make sure that happened.I want to thank my truly great and supportive record company Warner Brothers - Reprise Records, for standing with me in my decision to pull all my music from Spotify. Thank You!
Spotify represents 60% of the streaming of my music to listeners around the world, almost every record I have ever released is available - my life’s music - a huge loss for my record company to absorb. Yet my friends at WARNER BROTHERS REPRISE stood with me, recognizing the threat the COVID misinformation on SPOTIFY posed to the world - particularly for our young people who think everything they hear on SPOTIFY is true. Unfortunately it is not."
As noted just earlier this week, the man definitely puts his money where his mouth is.
And -- for better or worse -- that, our friends, is respected in today's cynical world.
ORIGINAL POST:
As you may or not be aware, Neil Young published a letter on his website Monday afternoon
demanding that Spotify remove all of his music.
Neil Young: “I am doing this because Spotify is spreading fake information about vaccines — potentially causing death to those who believe the disinformation being spread by them. Please act on this immediately today and keep me informed of the time schedule.“I want you to let Spotify know immediately TODAY that I want all my music off their platform. They can have [Joe] Rogan or Young. Not both.”
The original NYA post was removed but not before setting off a bit of a firestorm here on TW comments and elsewhere.
Per Rolling Stone's Andy Greene: "Representatives for Neil Young and Spotify have yet to comment on the matter, and we’ll see if Rogan decides to address it on the next episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, but Young’s complete catalog remains on Spotify for now. That could, of course, change at any moment."
Very ironically, this lack of clarification from Neil Young has created a vacuum being filled with "Neil disinformation". Primarily, a lot of "Neil who?" "Does anyone on Spotify even listen to Neil?"
The following podcast will not be everyone's cup of tea. However, this type of thinking is out there. Ignore and scroll on, as you please.
"It's Neil Young's Free World, Not Joe Rogan's" | CNN
"It's Neil Young's Free World, Not Joe Rogan's" | CNN
From "Neil Young: No 2022 Tour Plans "Until my bus is electric"" by Richie C.:
Well, there's good news and bad news.Very unfortunate, indeed. So much credibility built up over decades at risk. Or not? Is there a scenario where Neil's latest contrarian move actually builds his credibility?
The good news is that Neil is being talked about by the masses today more than I have seen probably since he performed "Imagine" at the 9/11 concert.
The bad news is that I have NEVER seen such negativity towards Neil Young as I am today at this moment. I remember in the 80's how disrespected he was, but that was because of his musical choices. Today I am seeing personal attacks on Neil the likes I have never seen. If you all don't believe me, go to YouTube RIGHT NOW and type in Neil Young and see what pops up. It really isn't pretty.
I think Neil made a huge mistake here, and the firestorm could really do some serious damage to his legacy. If I was Neil, I would be calling Joe Rogan TODAY to try to book an appearance on his show, so the two of them could discuss the issue. It might be very entertaining, Rogan is actually a pretty chill guy who likes his bourbon and weed. There is actually a lot of common ground between the two gentlemen, at least the Neil I used to know and love.
Of course, Neil might want to avoid all of that. Rogan is also a very intelligent guy with a very open mind about things, and is always ready for a good argument. If all Neil has are Dr Fauci and Joe Biden talking points to bring to the table, Rogan will steamroll him.
If Neil won't do that, he should make some kind of public statement to try to do some damage control. Because believe me, some serious damage has been done.
To be clear here, we definitely support truth and reconciliation. And we -- of course -- support freedom of speech. And we respect the artist and their work and how they choose to monetize. But we are also very strong proponents of #disCERNment.
So how about Freedom of Speech in 2022? From Crosby, Still, Nash & Young Freedom of Speech Concert Tour in 2006:
Or how about those Monsanto Years and GMO's?
The Monsanto Years by Neil Young + Promise Of The Real
(see Comment of the Moment: First Listen: Neil Young + Promise Of The Real, 'The Monsanto Years'
)
Art by Micah Nelson
(Zoom Cover)
Art by Micah Nelson
(Zoom Cover)
Labels: #disCERNment, neil young
by thrasher@PermaLink: 1/26/2022 03:26:00 PM
94 comments
>> Pre-Order on Amazon.com << 
Human Highway
Concert Review of the Moment
This Land is My Land
FREEDOM In A New Year
*Thanks Neil!*
![[EFC Blue Ribbon - Free Speech Online]](http://www.thrasherswheat.org/gifs/free-speech.gif)
The Unbearable Lightness of Being Neil Young
Pardon My Heart
"We're The Ones 
Thanks for Supporting Thrasher's Wheat!
This blog 
(... he didn't kill himself either...)
#AaronDidntKillHimself
Neil Young's Moon Songs
Civic Duty Is Not Terrorism
Orwell (and Grandpa) Was Right
What's So Funny About 
94 Comments:
I have heard more negativity towards Neil Young in the last half day then maybe since the 80's when it was his musical choices that were criticized. This is much more personal and much nastier.
I've already seen at least 4 podcasts that are totally raking Neil over the coals, and the insults in the comments sections of these podcasts are even worse.
Damage control, Neil.....time for some serious damage control.
Neil has just posted on NYA that he will be losing 60% of all his streaming revenue by getting off Spotify - he’s making a massive statement here at a huge personal financial cost - a lot of podcasts will be aired - a lot people will probably burn his records - who knows maybe his record label will try to sue him again??? remember the hate he got during the last CSNY tour? He’s standing up for what he believes in - ie it’s just another day at the office as far as I can see
And what’s it all for? He doesn’t want people to get really sick from covid or worse yet die!
This note’s for you
What happened to 'turn off the news'? 'turn off the television'?
I couldn't care less about what social media 'says' about any topic including Neil Young
I DO care about his incredible song catalog.
ughhhh....Elliot would never have allowed this to happen
Exactly. I stand with Windy on this.
Always about "who is winning" with these guys. Neil said they couldn't have both. And he did what he did. These guys yapping... it's all about the views for them. The likes. The subscribers. Calling themselves the buzz word of the self appointed, "authentic". Streaming is a scurge. Now I am yapping. I go with the artist, not the mouth. Good for Neil. His post today is just. He took himself elsewhere. Good for Neil.
There are millions of people this side of the Atlantic who heard of Neil Young and who like his music. They never heard of a second rate comedian sing the needle and the damage done, obviously catering to an audience whose equivalent hereabouts has been demasked as a small minority of egoists, blaring out loud whenever they are given the chance to do so. Typically here they accuse everybody else but themselves of being dictators, while through their opinion and refusal to get vaccinated they are dictating rules to our everyday lives in a pandemic that could have been over this summer had they stayed home and their trap shut.
I wish I was in the position to act like an independent Neil Young does, instead I go to school five days a week testing and sorting out super-spreader students and parents to prevent this structure from breaking down, that is desparately needed to keep up relevant other sectors of society and economy. Parents cannot stay at home and tend to sick children and work at the same time.
The slow-wittedness and narrow-mindedness even on this blog sometimes are just breath-taking.
this whole thing makes me sick. Imagine, for a moment, being a disabled child- totally at the mercy of parents and school boards in the US. And the school board and parents side with "anti-masking." This places the disabled child in serious and immediate danger (underlying conditions). why would we ever do such a thing? A judge just reversed the ban on mask mandates in Iowa for this very reason. Because of clowns like Joe Rogan children ARE endangered.
Oh No. Neil was my #1 listened to artist on spotify in 2021. Having all his albums there was so great. Gonna miss him.
Social media is killing our culture. Remember how much more interesting the world was before the 2010s?
Neil's fucking stupid.
I'm with team Neil here. He is on the correct side of history.
I've only ever seen Joe Rogan criticized by people who've never actually listened to any of his podcasts. Those who have know perfectly well that what takes place in there is rational discussion with zero agenda for or against anyone. And that clear lack of agenda is the exact reason why the podcast is so popular. Even Neil reacted only because "200 doctors signed a petition to ban Rogan from Spotify". Newsflash, the list was public and very few of those 200 were practicing doctors, but mostly researchers, medical assistants, nurses etc. So who's buying into 'misinformation' here?? And Rogan has never once advised anyone to do or not do anything. He simply stated that his doctor prescribed Ivermectin, he took it and got better in a couple of days. It wasn't even a big deal until media started spreading MISINFORMATION that Rogan was taking horse dewormer. The 'mass hypnosis' agenda was brought forth by his guest, not by Rogan. And all the guests he's had on the topic have been more than credible authorities on the subject. All of Robert Malone's claims about vaccine have actually proven to be accurate, as they should, since he was massively involved in developing the bloody thing.
If history serves us fans well, there should be some good songs coming forth from all this. I could care less how the masses access them. I will know where to go get them and how to share them.
I was a fan of Joe from his first LP when he was just a comedian, and a damn good one, and released "I'm Gonna Be Dead Someday". It was hilarious, and I thought he was the best Stand-up going. Fear Factor was a dive. Joe Rogan Questions Everything was horrible. He bores me concerning the UFC. I listen to his podcast for various guests after they are over and I can fast forward etc. His acceptance of Alex Jones makes me vomit. He also supports the use of LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, and DMT toward the exploration and enhancement of consciousness, as well as introspection. He was the presenter in the 2010 documentary, DMT: The Spirit Molecule. His song,"Voodoo Punanny", is a hit in my book. His tentatively titled book - Irresponsible Advice from a Man with No Credibility - really is accurate in a lot of ways, and he knows it. He is generally irresponsible in researching his info, though, and has apologized for it.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2020/09/18/joe-rogan-uncharacteristically-apologies-for-spreading-misinformation/
Joe has more responsibility now that so many crazies listen to him. It would do him well to accept that responsiblity. It says that this blog does not allow anonymous comments, but Unknown is pretty anonymous, if you ask me, and this is the heading of an email I got about that comment. "Anonymous has left a new comment on the post "UPDATED - The COVID Years: Neil Young Asks Spotify to Remove Music Over Vaccine Disinformation, Then Retracts Letter ": --------- so go figure. To assume that those that critisize Joe have never heard his podcast is just intellectually irresponsible and academically nonsense. "I've only ever seen Joe Rogan criticized by people who've never actually listened to any of his podcasts." How is life in a vacuum? People know what he doing, and when he is spreding misinformation they quote him. I am not anonymous, and stand by my post.
I hope they improve the NYA app on android devices. It always crashes on my phone so I use spotify to listen to Neil.
I'll go with Neil anyday over some rambling comedian talking about Covid.....glad I have NYA and Amazon. I would have never listened to the podcast anyway.
Meanwhile, I’ve been having an almost transcendental time with Chrome Dreams II this week. On a Neil kick all this month, I feel more in love with this music than I have in a while. You can buy a recording but not the experience. And all these externals don’t weigh much against the experience.
I completely understand spotify’s decision. I also understand and respect NY’s prerogative. Only thing I feel sorry about is the possibility of some spotify listeners losing their experience. But there are other places to get the music, free even. It’s good to have those choices!
Mr. Rogan clearly has a large, devoted online base, so there will be a wave of nasty reactions. Social media is a universal amplifier—you can every syllable from everyone in real time. In the long run, though, history will remember Neil Young more clearly and significantly than Joe Rogan. That’s not even a slight, just basic perspective in my opinion.
Having made my position clear, I am leaving this subject behind. It has burned too much energy already.
“Don’t forget love.”
dear Aer Steffen,
The only reason I write as 'unknown' is because I use Thrasher's Wheat as an (excellent btw, thank you) news source, and have never felt the need to engage or follow the comment section before. So I've never bothered to find out how to register, create a handle or whatever is required to not be 'anonymous'.
I did feel like writing now, because I figured this was going to be the only forum or platform out there where it would be Rogan getting crucified for this and not Neil, and for all the wrong reasons.
If you are capable of discussing this in civil manner without going into personal insults about vacuums etc. you can contact me at hietalaarto67@gmail.com , which includes my full name and I stand behind every word I wrote because I only wrote basic, very checkable facts in my earlier post, including the fact that most of Rogan's critics don't listen to the podcast, but repeat the quotes that the media reps have picked out for them to shout out, often falsely, by claiming Rogan's guests' words as Rogan's, or simply by lying, like the claim he suggested everyone take Ivermectin for covid. Even Neil fell for the misinformation about 200 plus doctors signing a petition, that was debunked the next day, while hundreds of physicians and health care experts also stepped in to Rogan's defense on the matter.
I will also add that the Forbes link you posted shows the other reason for Rogan's massive and rapidly increasing popularity, the unthinkable fact that when he is wrong he is upright enough and ready to admit it. This is so refreshing in any media that people love it. He's also been corrected several times during his podcasts by his guests, and has changed his views accordingly. That's what real people do,no?
I will also keep supporting, buying and loving Neil's music, as I have for thirty plus years now. But to be honest, he has certainly never been the person to go to for opinions on social issues, politics, or human relations especially. And neither has Joe Rogan for that matter. But I also still believe in the old saying that "the truth does not mind being questioned. A lie does not like being challenged".
Peace and be well
A man that stands by his principles, which I can respect. I will continue to use Spotify since it's my prime source for listening to music at work or on the road (when I'm biking or traveling by train) and for checking out new music that is not Neil Young. If I want to listen to Neil Young's music, I will listen to him on NYA at work or on the road or CD when I'm at home.
Now, do I agree with Neil Young on this matter? No, but that's OK. I feel that just because Spotify allow Rogan to speak his mind on this matter, it doesn't necessarily mean that Spotify agree with or support Rogan's point of view. Banning him from Spotify won't do any good. What would be better is to allow him to do his podcast, the contents of which are not in violation with the American constitution, BUT add a disclaimer that Rogan's views are not those of Spotify on that some of his claims are not supported by the WHO, etc. etc. The same way we shouldn't take down statues of historical figures because they did something bad (while trying to do good), but should rather provide information about what he did wrong as well.
In the Netherlands, the East India Company (in Dutch: VOC) allowed the Netherlands to grow and prosper in what we call the golden age. Now unfortunately, slaves were used on the many trading ships the VOC used. But rather than taking down the statues of the people in charge at the time, we chose to educate people on the matter, that this wealth came at a cost by starting to add this sort of information on the sign next to the statues.
Finally, I don't believe what Rogan says. I'd rather listen to scientists from the WHO, CDD (or in the Netherlands RIVM) and adhere to government policy in the battle against COVID. So I got jabbed twice and got a booster. Unfortunately, it still didn't prevent me from testing positive after both of my children got infected at school, but I do believe it's helped me from getting very sick. I only had a bit of a sore throat, not much more.
We'll see in due time if Neil's off of Spotify for good this time.
glad to hear you get the easy version, Harm. I got off pretty easy as well after getting two jabs. But of course the jabs didn't prevent us from getting the virus because the vaccine was never able to work that way. It was designed to prevent people from getting life-threatening complications, and clearly it is working very well to that end, but the idea it could stop the spreading was never even remotely possible. This was made public a year ago by several scientists that got immediately blackballed by the scientific community for simply telling what turned out to be true later. The same virologists and scientists also made the claim months ago that having carried the virus should give you excellent immunity. This is why I personally decided to skip the booster, because it was suggested by medical professionals who have yet to lie about anything, unlike Fucci, the WHO or national health authorities. And low and behold, the excellent natural immunity has now just recently been confirmed to be true.
You are of course better off not believing anything coming out of Joe Rogan's mouth, but if his guest is a previously widely respected scientist who played a large part in developing the mRna-technology like Robert Malone, and whose claims about the vaccine have all turned out to be accurate so far, that conversation just might be worth listening? We can only pray that the worst possible scenarios Malone's predicted will not come true as well.
be safe,
Art
When is Neil going to apologize for spreading misinformation about GMOs?
Amen to that
LOVE YOU NEIL
As I do not stream music I do not care about those platforms. However one telling fact, Spotify paid Rogan $100m for his podcasts back in 2020. If only they paid musicians their dues in royalties for what is an art form. A podcast is merely somebody, generally a nobodies, view on something or other. Apparently Neil had around 6 million streams a month on Spotify for a pittance in royalties.
God help us now this guy is doing it with the science around climate change:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/27/word-salad-of-nonsense-scientists-denounce-jordan-petersons-comments-on-climate-models
Jordan Peterson has been making this claim on climate change for years now.
What a convenient time for media to finally pay attention.
Thanks Neil to remind the world that Science and rationality were and are the keys to humankind's evolution. We are with you and the light of the Science will shed light on these Obscurantist people, which want to use people's irrational fears to make money.
+1
Neil slowly evolves into an Idiot. UK, and germany presents extramortality since the beginning of vaccination. I Do Not know about the US and other countries though. The Mainstream supresses this fact successfully but serious statistics and knowlegde about the method of counting covid and vaccination cases prove that! Seems Neil seems to promote covid as wrecking ball for getting more climate neutral. Countless Companies went down and out. Neil is a small minded old man
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Maybe you can find a platform which charges you 50 usd per month and pays the artists a lot more than what Spotify does.
That is correct
Hey Niel last i checked we have a right called freedom of speech. So you want to sensor people from there views on things. Why should you have the right to free speech but others can't? Your washed up I can see now why CSN kicked you out of the band closed mind. What a joke!
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@ Medward Neil Young? Apologize
for his stand on GMO’s? On the 5th of Never. Paid Trolls please don’t post comments. Roundup causes Cancer and IBS. Monsanto was allowed to do its own safety research by the FDA, which traded employees back and forth with this Evil Corporation. Research Fraud thrived. “The mice don’t grow tumors within 90 days Gosh, that’s impressive.
Neil Young was on the Right Side of History with his stand against Monsanto. We shall see what opinions can do vs Science once again. Global Warming is set to bring a living Hell to Earth even while some easily-duped flag wavers rally around this politician or that politician and continue to deny the obvious reality that tipping points have already fallen. We will all love to see the day very soon that the Empire crumbles and the people realize their Government has failed them.
Also, to say the Democratic Party is “Radical Left” is such a joke. The DNC is a bunch of sellout whores just like the Republicans. Neither will take a meaningful stand against Global Warming. Both are governed by Corporations such as Big Oil, Wall Street, Big Pharma, and the War Machine. This is why we don’t have universal Health Care in the US, which pretty much means we all have not been protesting enough. There is no representative Government. It works for the 1%.
But Trump fans get a special place in Hell. Alan in Seattle
We will all LIVE to see the day…. Freudian slip.
Bloody hell who got into Neils ear...
As Neil even listened to any of Rogans podcasts. He has such a wide range of guests on. Some fantastic some terrible. The difference he is willing to listen.
Freedom of speech appears dead in this nanny state world. Neil has this one wrong.
And the only people it hurts aside from himself is us fans who listen to him on Spotify daily.
Did you also buy a Pono? 🙂
He should call Klaus Schwab for a duet.
Neil rocks. He saw misinformation being spread and he took a stand. It’s hard for an ordinary artist to make any money off Spotify, but the big acts pull a lot of streams. It’s a big statement to make, although Neil doesn’t have anything to lose other than the stream revenue. People should not be listening to Neil Young records (or any other music) on Spotify. Other services charge the same but provide actual quality audio instead of the watered-down bits hawked by Spotify. We all know Neil wants you to Feel The Music. He should have yanked his catalog from that platform years ago. The only downside would have been us missing out on this, another history-making rock and roll moment.
Here is a link to the letter that Neil Young refers to on NYA with the headline "Spotify In The Name Of Truth."
https://spotifyopenletter.wordpress.com/2022/01/10/an-open-letter-to-spotify/
"270 Doctors, Scientists Call Out Joe Rogan’s COVID Misinformation" is the headline on Huff Post.
The letter is interesting and it brings up the treatments that would have made an EUA impossible with a vaccine that are being used in India and Japan with great success. If you haven't looked up the beautiful history of HCQ (Trump trigger) and what President Jimmy Carter's did with ivermectin (mectizan is trade name he uses now) this would be a good time to do so. If you have ever been to a country with malaria you would have taken HCQ and it has been around since 1946. People in the Peace Corp often took HCQ for years on a daily basis.
https://www.cartercenter.org/health/river_blindness/index.html
In the Joe Rogan interview with Dr. Malone it was mentioned that President Joe Biden went to India to make sure they suppress ivermectin talk as a cure for CV19? That would be interesting to have a real journalist fact check.
The information age sure is a bit messy in terms of discernment.
I am currently going through his entire catalog together with the Long May You Young podcast. Up to Storytone now. Most of my listening have been on Spotify as its a family account and other services/piles of CD’s/LP’s is in my budget now. The move doesn’t make much sense for this norwegian fan who don’t care about Rogan at all. Last time it took him 1 year to come back on the platform. Hope it is shorter this time.
Edit: «not in my buget right now»
I've been a hardcore fan since 1968 when I "discovered" him as a college freshman in Fargo. Neil is a player, not an interloper. The headline should be "Neil Young Puts His Money Where His Mouth Is". Good for you, Neil! That's why many of us have stuck with you through all these years.
Is Neil also going to take his music and videos off of youtube?
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There are a lot of new names on this blog, showing up here for the first time in the history of the internet. Welcome!
There is a lot of antiVAX hatred being directed Neil's way. But why does anyone see any value to come here so that they can express THEIR own opinions, solely on the basis that they think it is wrong for Neil to express HIS own opinion?
Neil Young was born in Toronto in 1945. His family moved to Omemee, Ontario, and he contracted polio in 1951, two years before the polio vaccine was introduced.
I think he has a motivation that 99% of the people talking about him will never understand. And that is just another reason why the internet is a very dark place.
https://www.nme.com/news/music/artists-criticise-spotify-ceo-daniel-eks-investment-in-ai-defence-tech-3107864
Apparently Neil doesn't believe Joe Rogan should be able to express his opinion.
Is Lookout Management pulling Neil's music from Youtube? There's a lot of opinions on that platform too & they aren't all in lockstep with the Fauci cult although Youtube/Google does their best to stifle free speech as well.
Considering Neil quit Facebook for "false information regularly supplied to the public", and now this over Rogan, one can logically surmise that Neil thinks he knows what the truth is on any given topic & all other opinions should be shut down and silenced.
That is fucking sad & totalitarian by nature which is what the political left has always been in every country & culture around the world.
The left doesn't care what you do as long as it is mandatory. And whatever they disagree with, they want to ban.
When you live in a bubble & are only surrounded by those who agree with you, any disagreement becomes foreign/alien/other & we just can't have that now can we?
All hail Lord Fauci!!!
All hail creepy Biden!!!
All hail masks that don't work to stop the spread of COVID!!!
All hail war in Ukraine!!!
All hail pipeline construction shutdowns in North America while allowing them from Russia into Germany!!!
All hail action on climate change!!! lol
All hail judging people based on their skin color & genitalia!!!
All hail 'science' unless you point out that chromosomes prove males cannot be females and vice versa!!! Then you're a trans-bigot lol...
Trump bad! Democrats good!!
All hail the government!!
sigh
Comparing a Polio shot to these Covid shots is apples to oranges and you know it. Neil is advocating suppression of free speech, something he and Frank Zappa fought Tippy Gore over in the 80’s. He also, in his letter, implied that young people are gullible and would fall for COVID “lies” told by Joel Rogan. If that’s his benchmark, I guess he was all wrong about Vietnam and Kent State, or maybe he was smarter back then, than today’s youth by his standards. Tell it all, and free speech will sort it out, NOT our corrupt Government!
It’s about “free speech”, something he WAS a strong advocate for. It’s too bad he can’t see that.
Mike
Who gives a shit about what a bunch of meathead Rogan fans say about NY on the interwebs. Jesus Cruz. Were you the lead of the drama club at that continuation high school you went to ? Ol Neil will not only survive this he may garner more fans for doing what he thinks is doing right. Just simmer on down. To me this is exactly Neil Young behavior like weve seen for 54 years now. Will it be remembered yes. Does it impact his legacy, F no.
Wow! Great insight WSANJOSE01 ..... great use of logic, consistency and deep thought....I hope you are not the average Neil Young fan.
Modify Spotify
The holocaust didn’t happen. Climate change a hoax. The election was rigged (only the presidential). The capital mob were patriots not insurrectionists. Conspiracies are all around, working against us, including vaccines.
Podcast hosts are “authentic” have the answers. They know more than those that have studied in the discipline. Don’t need inconvenient items like facts. Their opinions suffice.
We “established” the wealthiest country in world, a democratic republic built over 250 years. But now we’re being propagandized that isn’t worthy, it’s a swamp that should be turned over to the likes of Donald Trump.
Up until the internet age, information was sourced, vetted, verified by educated and responsible professionals and by organizations that stood by and defended their content.
Now we’ve got podcast fools yakking endlessly spouting quackery. Tech companies don’t accept any responsibility. It’s all about the money, and anger, like sex, sells.
We’ve become the Tower of Babel. Putin loves it. Lies, misinformation, disinformation, are lauded under the banner of free speech. Free speech doesn’t include yelling fire in a crowded building.
You can have your podcast host imbeciles; I’ll keep rocking in the free world with Neil Young.
@ Jonathan : You did get one thing right. Trump may start less wars on average than the Democratic Party. I am willing to call out both parties for being pro war. You seem to think that one party is good, the other bad. I am telling you that they mostly are exactly the same. They just keep us arguing about bibles, guns, or the modern arena fight: vaccines vs I evermectin. Even a blind pig finds an acorn every once in awhile. Good job. Alan in Seattle
Thanks to Neil, this is the first time that I have heard of Joe Rogan. *facepalms*
The only people who are really affected by this are his fans. Luckily I am also a subscriber to NYA (and have most of his catalogue on CD and LP), but none of these match the convenience of Spotify.
@Grey Rider, thank you, the Tower of Babel, precisely. I could present a pristine mathematical proof, deduced from axioms, and Joe Rogan or some similar sort of fool would give "his own opinion." I cannot stand it any longer, I will miss a lot of you for a bit, unplugging, I'm busy as hell anyway, working on water quality research, but I am sure that methane and nitrous oxide emissions from agriculture is a "matter of opinion." Methane has no bad consequences and nitrous oxide is not from human activity, all a "matter of opinion." If I could, I would head to Europe right now for a drink with Dionys (if he drinks, otherwise I would buy him dinner).
Neil says he's not about censoring, he's just speaking his truth. And his truth is that if the messenger is so bad, he must be stopped.
Neil's wrong, of course, and he's fooling himself - of course it was censorship he was demanding, and that's never the right side to be on.
@ Clueless in Seattle - way to get it wrong as usual as I despise the GOP...I enjoyed your absence after your little temper tantrum - why are you back? Don't you have an intersection to block or something?
Kneel Young, you destroyed your legacy. You wish you had been a Stasi agent, but you were born in the wrong place at the time. You should learn a thing or two from the likes of Van Morrison and Eric Clapton, two real human beings. Rust in Peace.
Robi666, a duet with Klaus Schwab would be wonderful indeed, a great oportunity for a big reset in his career. But I'm thinking that a triplet with Schwab and Gates would be even more epic. Greetings from a heartbroken Spanish ex-fan of the Canerican hypocrite.
@ All - thanks for most everyone's comments here.
Obviously, a highly volatile time here. So please everyone, be mindful and respectful to all and their differing opinions. We're supporting Freedom of Speech/Press as best we can @ TW.
In the meantime, a recent posting to RUST by Mike "Expecting To Fly" w/ his permission:
***
Is it possible that Neil Young actually unintentionally increased the spread of COVID misinformation? Consider this: Neil Young by his actions taken this week provided what amounted to free publicity for Joe Rogan. Many people who had never heard of him now have through national news outlets that covered this story. Now many more people will be exposed to whatever is being said on that podcast (bad!) And now people that want to listen to Neil Young on Spotify cannot do so (also bad!)
I applaud Neil's intentions. Along with my family, I am vaccinated and boosted and we try our best to follow CDC guidelines and I think if more of our fellow citizens would do so, we would have this pandemic under control.
I think Neil is trying to do his part to make this so but (and I say this with no hard evidence to back it up) it may have backfired.
Mike
Expecting To Fly
Thrasher,
This site may be getting more traffic today then Taylor Swift's.
Don't think I agree with Mr. Expecting to Fly. Believe best to call it out. Ignoring perpetrators doesn't work. Silence not the answer.
If invited would like to join Abner and Dionys for dinner and drinks in Europe!
Final note, Barn documentary very good, enjoyed it much. ****
Grey Rider, would greatly enjoy to have you. See you all in a few weeks.
I am a troll? No, I am a music lover. Not a "listen to somebodys pathetic opinion, based on mainstream excreta" guy
#Abner & Grey Rider
Feel yourself invited (add European seriousness about invitations) whenever it's convenient. Today we can offer you a selection of beers from Munich, also white, red and rosé wines from Germany, Italy, Spain, France and also a red from Bethlehem. On the stronger side we will have to make do with a number of single malts, the Scots are not to blame for Brexit after all. The other spirits available are reserved for cooking purposes, ointments and medical applications.
It's unlikely when your first name is derived from the Greek god of wine and ecstasy you are living a dry life. Here's to you guys!
Just some food for thought. Some folks here are saying that Neil is giving Joe Rogan some much needed free publicity, and that Rogan should be thanking him for it.
On YouTube, Neil's channel has about 450,000 subscribers. Joe Rogan's channel has close to 12,000,000 subscribers. Like him or not, I don't think Rogan needs Neil to help him get listeners.
The most positive thing I can say about Joe Rogan is that there have been times when I've really enjoyed what he and his guests have to say, and there have been many times when I couldn't stand what he and his guests had to say. In other words, the guy has a real open mind and is willing to discuss all kinds of things with all kinds of people. I really believe that Rogan would totally be open to have Neil on his show so they could discuss their differences politely and respectfully. Here's hoping Neil understands this, and is willing to take the plunge. Maybe both men can find common ground, which would be a wonderful thing to see in today's world.
@ Richie - thanks for the thoughts here.
As you suggest, Neil going on Rogan show would be good for a number of reasons, which you mention.
And we would be willing to fly in Jonathan and Alan in Seattle to be part of the studio audience.
@ Dionys - very generous. and while we're suggesting flying our readers around, we could send them your way as well?!
If that doesn't work for you and your guests, can thrashette and thrasher stop by?
we sort of need a break...
Rust in peace :-) Van morrison and clapton are Rock and roll. Neil isn't
@ Jonathan : Why am I here? I live here.
You hate the GOP? But you Love Trump?
You and I have some things in common. We both go on idiotic rants.
Have you ever heard the phrase “If you spot it, you got it.” Maybe that’s why I get under your skin. Kindred spirits and shit talkers.
But yes, I am more likely to protest, and you are more likely to attend a Q Anon convention. Cheers mate.
Your brother, Alan
I find it interesting that people will share their opinions on this thread, but don't want to give anyone with a different opinion the time of day. It takes all kinds to make up this world. We are not all alike, yet we need to coexist. If you want someone to listen to you, then you should have an open mind and listen to what they have to say as well. Neither Joe Rogan nor Neil Young need our opinions. They are both multimillionaires and very successful in their own right. The sad part to me is how social media has gotten to be such a hateful place with people anonymously attacking others because they can.
Life is too short to be so angry.
Peace and happiness to all of you!
Bravo Grey Rider. So well said. Jonathan you made me smile which I thought impossible.
@ Old Dan : Good point!
@ Everyone
@Thrasher
@ Jonathan : Maybe One of Us should get Voted off the TW Island? That will cut down on costs for Thrasher's suggested in person showdown. Besides, airfare will burn so much Carbon. No need to burn it. I feel the need to move to rely on carbon neutral travel. So I say, let the TW fans vote one of us off the Island.
You were first to disrespect me and you continued with repetitive Diss after Diss, over a period of time before I responded.
We are at odds. We both love Neil Young and TW, right? You wage war, I wage war. You say I am incoherent. You think I am a crazy Progressive Environmentalist / whatever. You love Donald Trump somehow? Ok. I don’t. I am very concerned about Global Warming and you are not. I don’t know you but I wish we had never “spoken” here. I regret my part in our conflict. Do you?
You stated in this blog that you "avoid sharing much because you tend to be an Assh*le on line.” I now reluctantly agree. I’d rather call you brother and coexist, or just coexist. Not speaking to or about each other would be good. But you are not gonna turn down the Hate, it seems.
You became intolerant and hostile over my Tech issue with my phone posting twice each time, now resolved by TW Tech Support info. You have your other reasons for disliking me and my writing. You became a hater. You would not let it go.
Part 1 of 2
Part 2 of 2
For my part, i have returned barbs and met some negativity with more of it. I have regretted it. I have not enjoyed it. I love this blog and it blows my mind I am in a cyber war with you here. But society is divided, people are hostile. And so are we.
I am willing to accept you for who you are and both of us can remain here in more positive atmosphere, I want that too. But if one of us should go, perhaps we should let the dedicated TW readers and sharers decide. Do you respect the TW readers enough to let the vote decide? You would want this to be a safe place of refuge for Neil Young fans, right? Why not just Wage Peace on the blog? Surely we could bury the hatchet. Wars end.
In the past I have been verbose & posted a lot. I especially tried to post more when Thrasher was not able to do the blog after his tree situation, & the Prolonged period of time he was tied up.
I invited & urged other people to post during this difficult time for Thrasher, wife, and fans of him and his blog. Not many posted. Amazing only 1% of TW readers post!
@ Jonathan, our conflict has brought toxicity to the Epic TW blog, a web site which people consider akin to a Holy Shrine for Hardcore (and Soft Core) Neil Young fans. I intend to share less in the future, if I am welcome here.
I could not do a good job with the blog like Thrasher does. And he maintains his positive attitude under pressure from us. I was so complimented when he said that he would want someone like me to run the blog in the event he was unable to. I felt very proud and grateful for the compliment.
But if both Jonathan and I are Man enough to put it to a vote, If that is what is needed, I say, let’s do it. Vote one of us off the island. Another idea, we could have it be an option to vote BOTH of us off the Island!
@Thrasher? How to keep it honest? This should not be like the Democratic Primary. Perhaps we could limit voting to TW fans who have posted once in the last year.
But Jonathan and I would need to agree on our honor on this blog, in the eyes of the TW Universe, that we will drop the anti social attacks, and hostile rants, retribution, trouble making, sharing outside of TW (and drawing negative publicity to TW and non-fans). If TW votes on kicking Johnathan or I off the TW Island. Or, Lets bury it and put it to rest. Together or apart. I am willing to abide by a fair vote.
I say, regardless of outcome of a Vote, that we both promise (to ourselves) that from here on out, we will try to make our posts more positive in nature, less inflammatory, especially towards the individual and the group. In short, whoever remains should be willing to behave a bit if they are to be "appreciated" by fellow TW fans. There are some of you that have taken a dislike to me, and I regret that. I have made a few missteps, overshared, gone down a few rabbit holes, talked about Neil cracking open the Heavens with Old Black one too many times, or twice at a time! Talked about saving Earth. Oil Pipelines, The kind of stuff Neil is concerned about.
I'd rather read someone else's writing about Neil Young's music, etc. I appreciate what so many of you all share. Great stuff from Ian, newcomers, and regulars.
@Thrasher : what do you think? I prefer peace and coexistence but if he and I cannot agree to that, for the betterment of all of us, let’s weed one out. Hold a vote?
But if it’s a vote, the winner should pledge to try harder to get along with people on the blog. I am willing to do that for sure.
Perhaps we can show a little grace as we grow older.
Your Brother in Seattle, Alan
PS- I stand with Neil Young in his decision on Spotify, and I am impressed with his record company.
I have read the debate, made my own, very small contribution. What I cannot understand is why anonymous posts are allowed?
What Neil Young gave up when he exited Spotify:
https://soundcamps.com/spotify-royalties-calculator/
Glad President Jimmy Carter didn't refer to Ivermectin as horse past that he gave to so many people in Africa for free over the years.
Poncho was right when he said Neil should focus on music and stay out of politics
https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/david-crosby-support-of-neil-young/?fbclid=IwAR39Bi2YT2BrqStKrOSl3U0SJzDnfHX5T5VRPattPu19h3iDxOYfu7UD_hU
Far out, man. Even Croz backs Neil now! If you don’t, you ain’t rock n roll, sorry!
This Note's for You Part II
Ain't singin' for Spotify
Ain't singin' for Rogan
I don't sing for nobody
Makes me look like a joke
This note's for you!
@ G-Man - ok, good question on anonymous posts here.
this is a bit complicated but since you asked. When the blog originally launched comments in 2003, TW allowed Anonymous comments. As in unregistered walk ups could speak freely.
Then came LWW and it was no longer prudent to support Anonymous comments. That's when we implemented the CAPCHA validation has another tripwire.
So then you had to register to comment on TW. That registration was tied into G+.
But then G+ went away. So those G+ registrations comments from ways back, now display as Anon b/c their G+ ID platform has been shutdown.
So what we will try now is another category of Blog membership. This shouldn't impact regulars.
Incidentally, we're running 3rd Party Comment S/w, so can't really adjust anything custom for TW.
peace
Dear Thrashette and Thrasher,
Please accept my apologies for not having addressed you in the first place, this being your digital home. So, yes, naturally, you are welcome to Munich. Exchange rates $ to € are favourable at the moment, flights DC - Munich cost 500$ via Denmark for September 15 - September 30 this year (at the time of the Oktoberfest 2022, if the pandemic allows for that) Plan at least a week for Munich and Upper Bavaria, see everything from the last ice age remnants to the "Topography of Terror (1933 - 1945)", from the alpine mountains to lakes and high plains.
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how exactly is posting as "G-Man" any different from posting as Anonymous?
I may be too young to understand the logic here.
Arto
Rogan is an ass clown who watched people eat bugs as him claim to fame, burn Spotify burn
@ Alan in Seattle - thank you for sharing here on TW.
Regarding voting you or Jonathan off of TW Island...
Our initial reaction here is that is NOT what we want to do at all. We don't want to make this blog exclusive or slanted one way or another.
We support freedom of speech. Not anything goes, but as long as polite, respectful, we're generally open to just about any perspective.
As we have said to both of you over the years here is, that we think you guys are being totally played by the Divide and Conquer crowd. Seems to be working perfectly as far as we can tell here on TW comments.
Most likely you guys share significant demographic similarities including love of Neil music. So how can 2 guys so similar be at each other's throats?
Well, likely, disinfo comes into play here. Not that we have any data on your info feeds, but this is known as the "FaceBook Effect". Look into if you haven't.
Essentially, what has happened is that over the years you guys have put so much out on the internet that the algo's have you pegged. And once the algo's have you pegged, then you're a ripe target for disinfo/manipulation/D&C (Divide and Conquer).
Solution? Either stop tagging your thinking. Or use great powers of #disCERNment.
Don't get played by Big Brother & Big Sister.
we speak from direct experience, trust us.
and we still do want to get the 3 of us together someday for a beer or 2 or 5. Maybe when Neil tours again ...
peace
I use Spotify and will continue to do so. If I decide to listen to Joe Rogan that's my right. I've had my shots. Personally I don't trust the drug companies. Maybe you do. What if your wrong. I had friends like you that just fly off the handle. We consider them nut cases. Your days of influence are over. Your music still touches me and always will, especially when you were Young.
Oh, and I forgot to mention that serious news outlets, both in print and digital, private and public, across Germany, Austria and Switzerland not only report on this at length but basically appear to support Neil Young's position, as do most comments on their receiving end. The comments expressing the opposite position typically use vocabulary and argument that have been criticised extensively on this blog already, they take on roles as if they lived within a constitutional frame-work American style. Ironically the German constitution was conceived in 1948 under the vigilant guidance of America's greatest generation.
In my country the majority decides what is considered to be responsible use of free speech. We believe that otherwise we would have loud extremist minorities jumping around and we have been there before: suddenly the totalitarians were a majority.
So, not many have a problem with Neil Young having decided to go and play elsewhere. Admittedly I do not know about the echo chambers these other commenters seem to frequent.
@ Dionys - thanks, appreciated. no apologies. likewise, open invitation if you ever visit Washington DC
Snopes says the "Freedom Convoy" of truckers and farmers in Canada is using old videos with a few thousand trucks at most. CBC has reported the "Freedom Convoy" have raised 6,391,910 million on GoFundMe with 82.1K donations and GoFundMe released 1 million for fuel costs of the truckers already.
The truckers are set to arrive tomorrow but what they are going to do isn't real clear in terms of a siege or how many trucks are involved per the media covering it. They are under an extreme cold warning for tomorrow in Ottawa.
https://weather.gc.ca/city/pages/on-118_metric_e.html
Hard to say what is going on but Joe Rogan and Elon Musk has chimed in...here is one of dozens of CBC reports on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SQgy71jZ1w
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Hipgnosis Songs Fund was founded by Merck Mercuriadis, who has managed artists including Elton John, Iron Maiden, Morrissey, Beyoncé, and Nile Rodgers.
Hipgnosis Songs Fund acquired the catalogue of Neil Young in 2021.
In October 2021 The Blackstone Group, an alternative investment management company, announced that it would partner with Mercuriadis to invest $1bn US to acquire song catalogues and music rights. It also announced that Blackstone would take an ownership stake in Hipgnosis Song Management.
In August 2020 Blackstone announced the appointment of Jeffrey B. Kindler, Former Chairman and CEO of PFIZER, as Senior Advisor.
Hmmm..Blackstone. So these are the people that own Neil Young's music....what a difference a few decades can make. Gives a whole new meaning the next time I listen to this...
"Amazon
You had so much and now so much is gone
What are you gonna do"
Warren says Blackstone worsening climate change in new private equity salvo
https://www.politico.com/news/2019/12/16/elizabeth-warren-blackstone-086197
UN accuses Blackstone Group of contributing to global housing crisis
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/26/blackstone-group-accused-global-housing-crisis-un
As a lover of NY and his music for over 50 years I am surprised and disappointed he has chosen the 'establishment' over truth. Anyone who has been awake over the last couple of years must surely recognise that the 'truth' is a far more complicated idea than that which governments and msm put out. Of course many vulnerable folk have died with this virus but the average age of deaths in the UK is 81.5 I believe, which is older than the average life expectancy. Neil has, with his crass letter now got all his wheels off the track. Your man Fauci has lied, Pfizer is fighting the release of the information which allowed the FDA to approve the gene therapy's use and I would love to know how Frank Zappa would have thought of the removal of personal freedom - which certain 'conspiracy' types have been talking about for years.
Sorry Neil, I love you but you are out of touch, mis-informed and I would never have thought of you as a supporter of censorship.
Plus, the Barn film is a struggle for me - it looks like Nils, Ralph, Billy etc. are just humouring an old man..... Im sure it was fun and good luck to you - I think one or two reasonable tunes came out of it but ..... For me it was overall weak.
I would love to see you live again in the UK but recognise it is a long shot. I will always believe in your muse and would never want to take away your right to say and do anything you choose..... But when you choose censorship and fear of an alternative opinion to your own you no longer have my respect.
I will still listen to Losing End, Will to Love, Red Sun, Little Wing, Ramada Inn etc. with the love and depth they resonate in me but come on man wake up and get a grip!
Neil goes on the Freedom of Speech tour in 2006 and fought Tipper Gore over censorship in the 80s. Incredibly sad he now adds himself to the list of censorship advocates who think other people are too stupid to think for themselves. Tipper is most likely very proud Neil has sat down at the arbiters of speech round table. After all, it’s incredibly dangerous to let people listen to whatever they want, it’s just not safe.
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