First off, Neil Young is 78 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 for decades 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.
Also, check out Scotsman's 2023 posting on Neil's birthday @ Patreon.
A Neil Young Birthday Tribute
by Ian
Dear Neil, Happy Birthday from Kat & I! We always enjoy gifts on this day, sonic ear candy, thanks to you!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy this day & the Love you have, from your family, & from your fans! We are plugged in, ecstatic with your music Art.
Coastal was awesome! See you in in the PNW & Boise pretty soon, “God willing.”
Your Brother Alan in Seattle
Happy Birthday to the best in the world. Here's to the next 78!
ReplyDeleteScotsman.
@ Thrasher : a very nice Birthday tribute to our music hero. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteBrother Cousin Alan
As a point of interest, November 12th also marks the release of Neil's first (self-titled) solo album in 1968. That makes this year the album's 55th anniversary, for those keeping track.
ReplyDeleteThe timeline sometimes gets confused, since the album was re-issued the following year with a different mix.