Neil Rocking The Vote

Brandy Baker / The Detroit News

It was a busy night for Neil in swing state Michigan this weekend. The man who once said he "wouldn't sing for politicians" did just so on Sunday.

Neil Young, wearing a T-shirt with "Canadians for Kerry" joined the Dave Matthews Band concert at the Vote for Change Concert Tour on Sunday at the Palace in Auburn Hills, MI. The concert was one of six sold-out shows in Michigan organized to get out the vote on November 2.

Dave Matthews introduced Young by saying "a good friend of ours," before launching into a 15 minute electric performance of Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower."

Young said to the audience of more than 13,000:

"Some of you may know I'm a Canadian, and I'm here representing Canadians for Kerry. The rest of the world couldn't be here, but they say hi."

Young then dedicated the next song to Spain and played "Cortez the Killer" and the anthem "Rockin' in the Free World".

Neil’s wife Pegi Young also joined the band for the last of the three songs. This was Young’s 7th appearance with DMB since 1997.

Young also joined the Dixie Chicks and James Taylor at the Fox Theatre in Detroit where he sang “Harvest Moon” and “Heart of Gold".


Peter Frampton, Pearl Jam & Neil photo by Jayson Teig

On Saturday night, Neil joined Pearl Jam onstage in Toledo, Ohio. Neil played "Harvest Moon" acoustic with Eddie Vedder. Later Neil joined in with Pearl Jam on "All Along the Watchtower", "Act Of Love", "Cortez The Killer", "Rockin' In The Free World". And one of the surprises of the night was Peter Frampton joining Neil and PJ onstage for the jams.

Here's the "Act of Love" MP3 download.

It was not a total surprise that Young joined the tour after the initial announcement that he would participate -- although his name never appeared on any official lineups. A Thrasher's Wheat Poll earlier indicated that fans are evenly divided on Neil's participation in politics.

Also, Bruce Springsteen, REM & Pearl Jam performed at other benefit concerts throughout the state this weekend. More coming soon here on Neil News.


Brandy Baker/The Detroit News

More on the Vote For Change Tour.