ASCAP Founders Award to Neil Young

Chrissie Hynde of Pretenders and Neil Young Jam at 2005 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

In the "It's About F*%#$ Time" Department, American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) announced that it will honor Neil Young with the prestigious ASCAP Founders Award.

The awards dinner will take place on May 16th at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, California.

The ASCAP Founders Award is one of the most distinguished honors that the Society bestows upon its members, paying tribute to pioneering songwriters who have made exceptional contributions to music. Neil Young joins this select group of songwriters and composers which includes Elvis Costello, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan, Paul McCartney, Tom Waits, Quincy Jones, Burt Bacharach & Hal David, and Stevie Wonder.

From the ASCAP press release:

With nearly fifty albums to his credit, Neil Young has proved to be one of the most prominent and influential artists of his time. Throughout his career, Neil Young has touched on many different genres of music and vocal styles. From folk and country to rock, from his days with Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and throughout his solo career and his many collaborations, Young has delivered his prolific songwriting talents and unique sound to decades of discerning music listeners. He continues to be a major voice and influence in music today.

A 1995 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Neil Young has been writing, recording and performing songs for more than 30 years creating such hits as "Heart of Gold", "Cinnamon Girl", "Hey Hey, My My," "Ohio," "Down by the River," "Harvest Moon" and "Rockin in the Free World."

"We are so proud to honor Neil Young this year with ASCAP's Founders Award," said ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman. "Neil's music has sent powerful messages to generations and his work is as meaningful today as it was when his career began in the '60s."

All Thrasher can say, is better late than never.

So with this years' Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Juno Awards ceremony and the ASCAP Award, could this be the year that the music industry truly acknowledges the impact of Neil's 40 year career? (Not sure why the press release says "30 year career"? Last Thrasher checked, Neil did some significant work prior to 1975?)

Nah, this probably only confirms that there's no market for an Archives box set release.