Johnny Depp Gets A "Broken Arrow" Tattoo

Johnny Depp with "Broken Arrow" Tattoo 

(Click photo to enlarge) 

Johnny Depp has recently had a "Broken Arrow" tattoo placed on his wrist, per his Instagram account.

For Neil Young fans, there is no mystery on the meaning of a "Broken Arrow" tattoo.

 

Neil Young - 1966 Broken Arrow Magazine: May 2012 Photo by Nurit Wilde 

Of course,  "Broken Arrow" is the title of one Neil Young's most beloved and enduring songs from the Buffalo Springfield era and "probably the most formally arranged track of Young’s career."

Mike Gee summarizes the meaning of the song "Broken Arrow":

"AND in the end that's what Broken Arrow is about - roots. Spiritual, home, emotional, soul roots, about recognising those roots, about getting in touch; freedom is within as well as without. On Broken Arrow, Young and Crazy Horse bring it all on home. Cleverly split in two, the electric evokes the spirit of times, that bugle call to understanding; the second half evokes the spirit of knowing where you are and who you are. Both are equal parts of the whole. And look at the album artwork - in itself a message, a statement and a philosophy.

 

Broken Arrow Magazine #134 - The Final Issue
Photo by Uwe Grahl | Facebook 

Broken Arrow Magazine was also the title of the Neil Young fanzine
published by the Neil Young Appreciation Society.

Within Native American cultures, the sign of two crossed arrows is used to represent an alliance, while an arrow broken in two is a sign of peace.

John Nowland
Broken Arrow Ranch's Redwood Studios
Photo by Audio Technology

 

"Broken Arrow" is also the name of Neil Young's legendary northern California ranch.

The Stray Gators, 1971
Tim Drummond, Jack Nitzsche, Neil Young, Kenny Buttrey, and Ben Keith
Broken Arrow Ranch, September 1971
Photo by JOEL BERNSTEIN
(Click photo to enlarge) 

Broken Arrow Ranch

via Neil Young's "Homefires" | NYA     Neil Young
Broken Arrow Ranch ~1971
Photo by © Henry Diltz
(via BLENDER GALLERY)
 
Broken Arrow: The Neil Young Tribute   

Neil Young Tour "Broken Arrow" Roadcase
   Johnny Depp as William Blake 

See "Dead Man" Film Blu-ray Reissue [Criterion Collection] w/ Neil Young Soundtrack

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A Look Back at Neil Young Appreciation Society (NYAS)

Broken Arrow Magazine
Published by Neil Young Appreciation Society

Welcome to "Wheat of the Moment"!

"Wheat of the Moment" is a new feature here on Thrasher's Wheat as Neil Young’s 2017 self imposed touring sabbatical continues (updated here and here), and we continue our journey into the past of the TW Archives.

In addition, we recently, we posted the sad news that there will be No Bridge School Benefit Concert in 2017 . In memory of all of the Bridge School Benefit Concerts we've attended over the years, here's a posting of our thoughts on Remembering The Warmth & Love of Bridge School Concerts .

In the meantime, enjoy the "Wheat of the Moment"!

Here's a recent letter received by Kevin Driver in Morro Bay, CA.

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Hi Thrasher,

With Neil going somewhat quiet for 2017, your recent Blog posts that have aimed to fill the gap have to me at least proven quite the antidote. So it accord to me earlier today as I was going through my Neil “Boots” section (Mr. Young you might want to stop reading if you are around) and in the spirit of looking back let’s not forget the contribution the NYAS has made over the years to not only other fans but also to Neil in helping to get the word out.

To put this in context I first came across NYAS back in 1981 when attending Neil 1982 Transband Tour stop September 26 at Wembley. This was my first Neil show having become a fan around the mid 70’s. I did not get the chance to see him in ‘76 at Hammersmith so I was quite keen to get to this show. Walking in to the arena through some waist height white iron gates where long thin strips of paper with details of NYAS. Just fill them in with a simple membership fee and viola you got the late great Broken Arrow magazine.

I let my membership lapse in 1985 as that year I left England for Chicago however I never lost my interest in Neil. Even though I was not an official member of NYAS any more I still kept a close eye on them by being able to purchase Broken Arrow at my local Tower Records (those were the days), and on through the years via Hyperrust and then yourself Thrasher. Thrasher you are the last of a distinguished tradition of getting Mr. Young activities out there and keep up your great work.

Anyway back to the point at hand like I said as I was working through my Neil stuff I came across two publications that I think warrant a mention.

The first piece you and fellow Thrasher Wheat readers might enjoy is a NYAS publication titled “Neil Young”. This is not an official Broken Arrow magazine and a quick look at the current NYAS web site has no mention of it. I’m not even sure I remember where I found it whether here in the US or back in the UK but I include the cover and the first page. This was obviously way before the internet and finding stuff like this was invaluable to help with getting good Neil content.

The second piece is another official NYAS publication which I found at Tower back in the late 80’s (if I remember correctly) authored by two famous NYAS participants Bruno Fisson and Alan Jenkins. This book specializing in “unofficial” content I find special not only for its content but how the NYAS community help get it published by utilizing a very ahead of its time crowd sourcing funding system, where NYAS subscribed to the book. I guess you could say they pre-ordered it and those involved where noted in the back of the book.

So long live NYAS and you too Thrasher and thanks for all the great Neil content over the years.

Kevin Driver
Morro Bay, CA.

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Thanks for writing Kevin! Wonderful memories to share! And trunks more to come.

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Broken Arrow Magazine To Cease Publishing - The Final Issue for NYAS?

Broken Arrow Magazine #134 - The Final Issue?
Photo by Uwe Grahl | Facebook
Much to our dismay -- and many others, as well -- the latest issue of Broken Arrow Magazine, published by the Neil Young Appreciation Society seems to be the final issue.

Longtime Broken Arrow editor Scott Sandie has included a letter to readers in the latest issue which reflects his current thinking on the publication after 13 years and 52 issues (of 134 total) at the helm. Scott and his wife Jo have put in countless hours into the labor love we know as "BA" and they are to be humbly thanked. We can certainly understand the toll it takes to produce content year after year for "only the joy and satisfaction of sharing Neil appreciation with our fellow fans".

So enjoy the break Scott & Jo! To quote, as someone once to wrote us: "It is alright to say goodbye. You have done some folks a great service for a long long time and we appreciate the effort you have shown. Whether you choose to continue or just hang it up and get on with your life is up to you. Just know that we have appreciated your efforts. As for us? We still see the vista. We still hear the muse. We continue. Godspeed. Thank you. Mahalo."

From another Society member, Bernie B. Shakey:

"....I just want to thank you
For all of the things you've done
I'm thinking about you
I just want to send my love
I send my best to you

That's my message of love
For all the things you did
I can never thank you enough

Feel like I'm falling
Falling off the face of the earth
Falling off the face of the earth...."

Prior to the Internet age, being a Neil Young news junkie was one tough slog. If you desired to discover something, you couldn't simply turn on the computer, pull up Google and type in a few key words - "Neil Young / Tour Dates / Boston"

Results: Zilch!

There was really no World Wide Web to speak of in the 1980s and early 90s; sure it existed, but it was mostly beyond the grasp of many of us. And even if you did happen to use it, there was very little tangible Neil content in the early days of the Internet.

So how did you learn what Neil was up to? Not easily, that's for sure. Maybe a magazine like Rolling Stone or Musician would profile Sir Shakey, or the Village Voice, or perhaps MTV might air a brief news clip, offering a small taste, but always yearning for me. Other than that, well, there was word-of-mouth, assuming you were connected with others who actually cared about Neil (I wasn't).

That's pretty much it.

Well, not quite. There was one other new source, quite clearly the best of them all, by far - Broken Arrow Magazine, a fanzine published by the Neil Young Appreciation Society, delivering its first issue long ago, in 1981 when Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher were both in office, providing 1000 points of light for the free world (invoke sarcasm meter).

For diehard fans like me, Broken Arrow, jam-packed with Neil tidbits galore, was a lifesaver. The magazine came out on a quarterly basis, usually a few days (or weeks) later than expected, but who complained? We finally had a Neil Young news source that was fresh, topical, offering a connection to like-minded fanatics across the globe. It was Nirvana before anyone ever heard of Kurt Cobain.

From that very first issue in 1981, through all of Neil's frenetic musical changes, Broken Arrow has been like an old, dependable pair of slippers, providing indispensable Neil news over 134 issues.

And now, just like that, the run is over.

It's been announced with the release of this June's issue, #134, that the magazine's publishing days have come to an end (you can see the many reasons why in the attached letter from BA Publisher Scott Sandie). While this news hurts many, it hardly comes as a shocker. The Internet has changed everything for the publishing industry and a relic from the distant past, even something as lovable as Broken Arrow, couldn't compete with the instantaneous flow of content the digital age provides.

But while this news has been expected for awhile, it still hurts, it hurts plenty. It's very hard to describe with words what it felt like to be a subscriber to this magazine in the late 1980s and through the '90s. While only published four times per year, you waited for every issue with the anticipation of a head-over-heels-in-love schoolboy going on his first date. The wait would often be longer than expected, but once that little manilla envelope finally arrived, postmarked United Kingdom, you entered Neil Heaven for a few hours, page after enjoyable page. Please remember - this was the MAIN way we got our most in-depth Neil news, four times a year. There was nothing better, nothing even close to Broken Arrow.

But then, in the mid-1990s, everything changed. The Internet stepped to the forefront and while the digital revolution has brought so much good to the world (and plenty of awful awfulness), it's truly devastated print media, Broken Arrow being yet another casualty. Over the last 12 years or so, Scott Sandie has done yeoman's work publishing Broken Arrow, taking the reigns from Alan Jenkins, who lasted in the role an incredible 17 years. Two publishers, 29 years - Unreal! Iron Men!!

On a personal note, I've gotten to know Scott a little bit over the last two years; in 2013 he published my "Bottom Line 1974" story; ironically, I also have a story featured in the final issue. If this truly is the end, I'm very honored to be included in Broken Arrow's Swan Song issue. Scott is a true gentleman in every sense of the word, an ultimate Neil fanatic and he has our undying respect for what he's been able to accomplish.

This magazine has meant so much to so many, and the end is never easy. But what can you say other than......Thank You Scott Sandie and the incredible Neil Young Appreciation Society!!

Peace & Love
Bernie B. Shakey

Great tribute Bernie B.! Thanks!

For more information and subscription information visit the Neil Young Appreciation Society or directly contact NYAS editor Scott Sandie at surfer-joe@nyas.org.uk

Don't be denied!

Thanks Scott and everyone who has been supporting the NYAS & BA!

Thrasher - NYAS#2476


More on back issues of Broken Arrow magazine.

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HOW TO WIN A COPY OF LATEST ISSUE OF BROKEN ARROW MAGAZINE

One lucky Thrasher's Wheat supporter will win a free copy of the latest Broken Arrow Magazine. We truly appreciate being able to what we do here at TW, and we love being able to give something back in return.

To enter the contest, follow these steps:

#1) Subscribe (or be already subscribed) to one of our blogfeed channels either via Facebook (LIKE us), Twitter (FOLLOW us) and/or subscribe to our email list.

2) Then just email us (thrasher@thrasherswheat.org) with your name, postal mailing address with *country*, and which blogfeed channel you signed up for (Facebook, Twitter, email list options noted above in Step #1). *Be sure to identify your complete Facebook ID, Twitter handle, or email address.*

Entries must be emailed with SUBJECT line: Contest - Broken Arrow Magazine

Include name, postal mailing address with *country*.

Deadline: August 30, 2014

We'll then randomly select Thrasher's Wheat readers as winners.

Don't Be Denied!

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Broken Arrow Magazine: December 2013 - Win A Free Copy

Neil Young - Farm Aid 2013
Photo by Paul Natkin
The latest issue of Broken Arrow Magazine, published by the Neil Young Appreciation Society recently hit the streets and we're now finishing up reading the issue. As always a nice read -- especially as we look back while looking ahead.

And -- thanks to the generous support of NYAS and editor Scott Sandie -- we're pleased to be able to offer a free copy of the latest issue of Broken Arrow Magazine to a Thrasher's Wheat reader. Details follow below.

Issue 132 of Broken Arrow is now out. This time we bring you road reports from all the recent shows and combinations of CSN&Y, including a comprehensive report on the Bridge School Benefit weekend and all the related fan activities. There's also the story of an NYAS member who has now been to more than 200 Neil Young shows! There's also a look at the recently released Cellar Door set, and a fascinating discussion of the link between Neil's Farm Aid performance and the upcoming Carnegie Hall shows. How about Neil Young's Nebraska? Does it exist? A French member discusses this fascinating possibility. Plus you can find all the usual suspects: Letters to the Editor, a classic Bridge School Spotted! and another Postcard From Brighton. Featuring an excellent cover photo from the official Farm Aid photographer plus the inside cover from Steve's daughter Eleanor Stills. Not to be missed!

For more information and subscription information visit the Neil Young Appreciation Society or directly contact NYAS editor Scott Sandie at surfer-joe@nyas.org.uk

Don't be denied!

Thanks Scott and everyone who is supporting the NYAS & BA!

Thrasher - NYAS#2476


More on back issues of Broken Arrow magazine.

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HOW TO WIN A COPY OF LATEST ISSUE OF BROKEN ARROW MAGAZINE

One lucky Thrasher's Wheat supporter will win a free copy of the latest Broken Arrow Magazine. We truly appreciate being able to what we do here at TW, and we love being able to give something back in return.

To enter the contest, follow these steps:

#1) Subscribe (or be already subscribed) to one of our blogfeed channels either via Facebook (LIKE us), Twitter (FOLLOW us) and/or subscribe to our email list.

2) Then just email us (thrasher@thrasherswheat.org) with your name, postal mailing address with *country*, and which blogfeed channel you signed up for (Facebook, Twitter, email list options noted above in Step #1). *Be sure to identify your complete Facebook ID, Twitter handle, or email address.*

Entries must be emailed with SUBJECT line: Contest - Broken Arrow Magazine: Dec 2013

Include name, postal mailing address with *country*.

Deadline: Jan. 15, 2014

We'll then randomly select Thrasher's Wheat readers as winners.

Don't Be Denied!

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Broken Arrow Magazine: August 2012 - Win a Free Copy

Neil Young - Milwaukee 1991
Photo by Bill Kirch

The latest issue of Broken Arrow Magazine, published by the Neil Young Appreciation Society recently hit the streets and we're now finishing up reading the issue. As always a nice read -- especially as we look back while looking ahead.

And -- thanks to the generous support of NYAS and editor Scott Sandie -- we're pleased to be able to offer a free copy of the latest issue of Broken Arrow Magazine to a Thrasher's Wheat reader. Details follow below.

The latest issue of Broken Arrow Magazine – number 127 – is now out with another interesting mixture of articles and photographs. A very varied issue covers the recent release of Americana, the history of Neil Young’s 12-string guitars, the significance of ‘rust’ in Neil’s songs and a fascinating look back at Hammersmith, 1989. There is also a colour centre spread of the more exotic releases of “Heart of Gold” from around the world as well as a fascinating Spotted! of a mysterious Zuma-like LP release. For those contemplating heading for the front row of an upcoming Crazy Horse show we re-visit 1995’s ‘Don’t Fear The Mosh Pit’. Reviews of CD releases from NYAS members Marilyn Miller and Ty Watling, a report of a meeting in the US with Record Research Incorporated’s President Joel Whitburn and lots of interesting ‘odds & sods’ make for some entertaining reading.

For more information and subscription information visit the Neil Young Appreciation Society or directly contact NYAS editor Scott Sandie at surfer-joe@nyas.org.uk

Don't be denied!

Thanks Scott and everyone who is supporting the NYAS & BA!

Thrasher - NYAS#2476


More on back issues of Broken Arrow magazine.

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HOW TO WIN A COPY OF LATEST ISSUE OF BROKEN ARROW MAGAZINE

One lucky Thrasher's Wheat supporter will win a free copy of the latest Broken Arrow Magazine. We truly appreciate being able to what we do here at TW, and we love being able to give something back in return.

To enter the contest, follow these steps:

#1) Subscribe (or be already subscribed) to one of our blogfeed channels either via Facebook (LIKE us), Twitter (FOLLOW us) and/or subscribe to our email list.

2) Then just email us (thrasher@thrasherswheat.org) with your name, postal mailing address, and which blogfeed channel you signed up for (Facebook, Twitter, email list options noted above in Step #1). *Be sure to identify your complete Facebook ID, Twitter handle, or email address.*

Entries must be emailed with SUBJECT line: Contest - Broken Arrow Magazine: August 2012

Include name, postal mailing address with *country*.

Deadline: Sept 10, 2012

We'll then randomly select Thrasher's Wheat readers as winners.

Don't Be Denied!

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Broken Arrow Magazine: May 2012 - Win a Free Copy

Neil Young - 1966
Photo by Nurit Wilde

The latest issue of Broken Arrow Magazine, published by the Neil Young Appreciation Society recently hit the streets and we're now finishing up reading the issue. As always a nice read -- especially as we look back while looking ahead.

And -- thanks to the generous support of NYAS and editor Scott Sandie -- we're pleased to be able to offer a copy of the latest issue of Broken Arrow Magazine to a Thrasher's Wheat reader. Details follow below.

The latest issue of Broken Arrow Magazine – number 126 – is now out with another interesting mixture of articles and photographs. Included in this issue, the conclusion of “Expecting To Fly”, Victoria Cavaleri’s surprising memoir from 1966 with a cast of characters that ranges from Marty Balin, Jack Casady, and Allen Ginsberg through to Dickie Davis, Gene Clark and Neil Young, to name but a few. It’s a fascinating read published here for the first time.

Amongst several other articles is a report on the CSNY Italian Convention, a Collectors’ Corner covering very rare Mynah Birds’ singles, a close call in trying to meet Neil at Bristol in 1973, a classic entry for ‘Spotted’ and ‘Mr. Disappointment’ – a Top 5 of one fan’s Neil Young-related disappointments down the years. The issue wraps up with an interesting letters page and a Last Dance mystery. The striking front cover is a rare picture of Neil from 1966, as well as lots more news, reviews and letters.

For more information and subscription information visit the Neil Young Appreciation Society or directly contact NYAS editor Scott Sandie at surfer-joe@nyas.org.uk

Don't be denied!

Thanks Scott and everyone who is supporting the NYAS & BA!

Thrasher - NYAS#2476


More on back issues of Broken Arrow magazine.

---

HOW TO WIN A COPY OF LATEST ISSUE OF BROKEN ARROW MAGAZINE

One lucky Thrasher's Wheat supporter will win a free copy of the latest Broken Arrow Magazine. We truly appreciate being able to what we do here at TW, and we love being able to give something back in return.

All Thrasher's Wheat supporters between now and the end of the month will be automatically entered into the Broken Arrow Magazine drawing. (If you donated in the last 30 days you are automatically eligible and no further action is necessary).

Click below to send support now via Visa or Mastercard — or send support via Paypal.

If you're unable to send any support at this time, we understand. But we'd still like for you to be eligible to win a free copy of the latest issue of Broken Arrow Magazine. Here's how.

We'll randomly select a Thrasher's Wheat reader who subscribes to one of our feed channels either via Facebook (LIKE us), Twitter (FOLLOW us) and/or subscribe to our email list. Just email us (thrasher ATSIGN thrasherswheat.org) with your name, postal mailing address, and which communication channel you signed up for (Facebook, Twitter, email list). *Be sure to identify your complete Facebook ID, Twitter handle, or email address.*

Click here for other support options and to learn why we need our readers support to continue operating Thrasher's Wheat.

Thanks and Good Luck to everyone!

peace & love to all,
thrasher & thrashette

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