What's It's Like To Be The Opening Band for Neil Young and Crazy Horse? Ask Everest

Everest
Photos: Dominic DiSaia Photographs
(Click photo to enlarge)
Ever wondered what it's like to be the opening band for Neil Young and Crazy Horse?

Anyone remember those crazy stories of Sonic Youth opening for the 1991 Ragged Glory Tour? (If not, see here and here.)

Or, just ask the band Everest. From The Vinyl District "Everest Ascending: Ambition, self-doubt, and on the road with Neil Young" by Jennifer Carney:

Russ Pollard, lead singer and principal songwriter for the band - “[Neil Young and Crazy Horse] have seen everything for the last forty years. They’ve seen it all and done it all, so the fact that we’re even sharing a stage with them is an accolade. Sometimes you’ve gotta remind yourself of that. Any band would put themselves in this position to open for them.

“When we go onstage and play three-and-a-half songs in Madison Square Garden, it’s the most empowering thing I can ever feel in my life.”

...

Elliot Roberts, Neil Young’s long-time manager - “Ultimately, the songs are what drive a band and touch an audience. I think eventually, if Everest just keeps hanging tough and stay in it, ultimately their songs and their sound will be recognized. It’s very hard—there’s so much out there. You really have to be very patient.”

“You know, an image to me is something that comes very naturally. You don’t go, ‘You guys need a few tattoos and some piercings and it’s all gonna be great.’ You really work with what you have and the people who you have and you hope that you can guide them to where they at least have the best chance to succeed. And that’s really all you can do; from then on, it’s up to the fates whether your music touches somebody or doesn’t touch them. All you can give them is the best possible chance to succeed. That’s it.”

Everest with Neil Young and Crazy Horse
Photos: Dominic DiSaia Photographs
(Click photo to enlarge)
More from The Vinyl District "Everest Ascending: Ambition, self-doubt, and on the road with Neil Young" by Jennifer Carney.

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Photo of the Moment: Everest and Neil Young & Crazy Horse

Everest and Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Bridgeport, CT - 12/4/12
Photo by Dominic DiSaia
(Click photo to enlarge)
A nice photo of Everest and Neil Young & Crazy Horse from the
Bridgeport, CT concert on 12/4/12.

More on Everest's Russell Pollard and Neil Young.

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