(Click photo to enlarge)
Here is an Open Letter to Neil Young by "Winterland Stories" author/photographer and Rustie Chris Horn.
Poster: Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse
Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio - February 25, 1970
Open Letter to Neil Young
Neil,
On behalf of Jim Tarbell and the Cincinnati community - Please Return to Music Hall.
Jim staged your February 25, 1970 concert to overwhelming enthusiasm.
The show ran well past the scheduled finish and the audience shouted for more - Jim Tarbell proclaimed from the stage…..
“As sure as I’m standing here, we will do it again”
Please consider returning to the magnificent Music Hall after these 56 years.
Do it for Jim Tarbell - he’s still standing
Impresario of Cincinnati
‘Mr Cincinnati’
He told me the other night during the Tarbellpalooza! book signing at Arnold’s - 2/21/26 - “people I speak with…..the concert still resonates to this day.”
You performing Music Hall - I will be remembering another music impresario who had an impact on his community Bill Graham.
Maybe stop in before Farm Aid.
Chris Horn
Cincinnati
2/25/26
Tarbellpalooza!:
“A Merry Medley of Memories By Friends of ‘Mister Cincinnati’”
Curated by Greg Hand
Issue date 11/13/25
Tarbellpalooza!: “A Merry Medley of Memories By Friends of ‘Mister Cincinnati’”
The tales recount Jim Tarbell’s immense impact to Cincinnati including its music scene - a few examples.
Grateful Dead
Hyde Park Teen Center 11/30/68
Ludlow Garage
1969 to 1971
Neil Young and Crazy Horse
Music Hall 2/25/70
(Listen @ Neil Young Archives Timeline Concert)
Jim Tarbell signing books
Arnold's Bar & Grill: Music - Dancing - Festivities
Cincinnati, OH - Feb 21, 2026
“Music will probably always remain an important part of Tarball’s life, he likes to play harmonica and spoons occasionally…..And he still dreams of staging a reprise of one of the greatest concerts he has ever presented - a young Neil Young enchanting the sold-out crowd at Music Hall in 1970. The show featured both a solo acoustic set and an electric one with Crazy Horse, and Young had a charming, winning stage presence. The crowd at the end wouldn’t leave, nor would they stop shouting for more, more, more. Tarbell takes the stage to dissuade them from staying, to little effect. And he finally says, “As sure as I’m standing here, we will do it again”…..Tarbell dreams of staging a big festival - “Tarbellpalooza”…..”“The big windup of it would be Neil Young at Music Hall,” Jim Tarbell, 83 says a glorious smile on his face. “How wonderful would that be?”
Jim Tarbell & Chris Horn
A copy of Tarbellpalooza! was sent to Lookout Management in hopes it may be delivered. It contained a note by Greg Hand and Chris Horn.
Ticket Stub: Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse
Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio - February 25, 1970
image via Sugar Mountain
Thanks so much for contributing here Chris! What a great effort to make that "hippie dream" happen.
We know that if Neil, Jim & you make it happen, we'll have some eyewitness reports from Cincinnati. Best of luck and keep us posted on any developments. Hopefully this will motivate Neil to get back on the road.
ps - Once again, it was great working together on "Winterland Stories" awhile back. We promise to get those image links fixed ... someday...
good luck with that
ReplyDeleteIt's a hippie dream. Why not?
DeleteHighly recommended live shows in March on the US West Coast by The Third Mind. This is a psychedelic supergroup with Dave Alvin (founder of The Blasters) on lead guitar w Mark Karan also on guitar. They alternate rhythm & lead spectacularly well.
ReplyDeleteJessie Sykes is the singer, & vocalist / guitarist for band Jessie Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter. Mark Karan is a Bob Weir associate.
Together they make great live shows with their improvisational music. Their songs are related to folk, Motown, & “Acid Rock” which was born in the song “East West” in 1966 by Mike Bloomfield on guitar for the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. The Third Mind covered East West on their debut album. They covered Morning Dew. They will throw a “Dark Star” into their live jams. By now they have 4 albums and a live album.
They are in Nevada as well on this mini tour. See dates & locations:
Your Brother Alan in Seattle
Tour dates : https://www.thethirdmind.net/tour-dates
ReplyDeleteNo LA gig?! I call party foul. Victor Krummenacher and David Immerglück from CVB also in the band. Sounds like a fantastic ensemble.
DeleteAn open letter to Chris Horn: Thank you for taking the time to share this story. People like you and Jim Tarbell deserve a round of applause for making a positive difference & adding to our historical experience. Regards!
ReplyDelete