First off, Neil Young is 77 years young today, November 12. So Happy Birthday Neil!!!
image via Rusted Moon
As noted on Neil Young's 75th birthday, his outstanding moral character
can be demonstrated with his efforts for The Bridge School (USA) and Farm Aid (USA), as
just two examples.
@ Bridge School Benefit Concert 2011
Photo Gallery by By Jay Blakesberg Photography
Farm Aid executive director CAROLYN MUGAR (center), w/ DAVE MATTHEWS, JOHN MELLENCAMP, WILLIE NELSON and NEIL YOUNG (from left).
2008 - Mansfield, Mass., Photo by Mark O'Stow
We know that Neil Young is a humanitarian rebel with causes.
Neil Young
MusiCares Person Of The Year - 2010
In 2011, Neil Young was honored with the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award at Canada's Juno Awards.
The award honors a Canadian artist whose humanitarian contributions
have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada and recognizes
Young's compassionate legacy behind events such as Farm Aid, Live 8,
and Bridge School Concerts.
As we have noted previously,
rarely -- if ever -- has a single artist supported so many causes, for
such a sustained period, raising considerable funds and awareness while
reaching out to millions and millions around the world. When reviewing a
listing of benefit concerts
that Neil Young has played over the years, one is struck by the sheer
diversity of causes he has supported over his 45+ year career.
One could contend that no other artist has made such an impact on causes
involving social justice -- or a better moral character. As we
documented in 2010, The Charitable Mr. Neil Young Keeps On Giving & Giving & Giving.
Neil Young
MusiCares 2010 Person of the Year
In 2010, Neil Young was honored as the 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year in Los Angeles, two days before the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards. An impressive roster of musicians lined up to honor Young which included Booker T. Jones, Jack Black, Jackson Browne, T Bone Burnett, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Sheryl Crow, Everest, Patty Griffin, Josh Groban, Ben Harper, Emmylou Harris, Elton John, Norah Jones, Lady Antebellum, k.d. lang, Dave Matthews, John Mellencamp, Ozomatli, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Leon Russell, James Taylor, Wilco, and Lucinda Williams.
Here is just a partial list of benefit concerts that Neil Young has played over the years that we posted on the Rust list back in 1994. And the diversity of causes is particularly striking. Of course, the two primary beneficiaries of Neil's generosity have been the Bridge School Benefit Concerts and Farm AID. The Bridge School concerts began in 1987 and are to benefit the school for children with severe speech and physical impairments. The Farm Aid concerts began in 1985 and benefit the small American family farm. Farm Aid is the longest running event of its type in music history.
Neil has performed annually at both the Bridge and Farm AID shows and has raised considerable sums for these causes. The performances at these two annual benefits are well documented.
The Farm Aid 4
Dave Matthews, John Mellencamp, Willie Nelson, Neil Young
You get the idea. He's got a heart of gold.
Pegi & Neil Young at Bridge 2005 Concert
photo by Craig Abaya
Happy Birthday Neil Young!!! Long May You Continue To Run & Run.
So Happy Birthday Neil!
Long may you run. It's all just a magical ride. enjoy.
A Neil Young Birthday Tribute
by Ian
Dear Neil, Happy Birthday! Long May You Run! Thanks for all of the music, and NYA, the shows, and the rest! I hope you come to Seattle / Boise again to play live shows. My Rusty friends will converge and pass the Peace Pipe. And we will enjoy the show!
ReplyDelete@. Thrasher: It’s funny how, as I hear the new Neil Young songs like Love Earth or the Stray Gators version of Don’t Be Denied…
At first it sounds to me maybe not quite right. Then, after several more listens, I have an entirely new perception of the song.
And next thing I know, the new song is a classic.
It’s a great time to be a Neil Young fan on this dying planet.
Fight to protect Earth. Save the critters, and the Humans!
Your Brother Alan in Seattle
Seventy seven and there's so much more.
ReplyDeleteWhat can any of us say? Happy Fuckin' Birthday to a great Canerican! Thinking that I'm still one of the few who was able to ask you about that time you lived with the two monkeys...at the film screening in Austin.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday uncle Neil, you and I have traveled a mighty long way through this life, and although we’ve never met, I feel that I know you well. Have a wonderful day and keep the music coming to those who love what you do.
ReplyDeletePeace 🙏
Words cannot describe the gratitude that I feel towards our musician Hero at this time of his Birthday.
ReplyDeleteNeil, I am so impressed by your drive to create, new and original Art, all one song? No, so many songs. And with “songs like movies” you managed to dream up a universe or two! You have enriched my life for many decades and I thank you for that! It has been a fun journey so far, some ups and downs for all, as we travel again around the sun. I am thankful to be here with you all!
I am not a religious person but so am more than willing to imagine The Great Gig in the Sky, with all dearly departed friends in music / visual Art / painters, etc. … All Art warriors present. Hendrix, & all the rest. Daily jam, all Access!
Neil, take solace: you have torn the roof off enough times with Old Black to leave behind Gravitational Waves! But more is what we always want. And you have more. As Jeff Tweedy said, “it’s easy to take it for granted that there will always be another Neil Young album.” As sure as the the sun will rise, I will cherish hearing your music. Thank you SO much!
“Your Brother Alan in Seattle”