Neil Young on Saturday Night Live

Last night, Neil Young made his fourth musical guest appearance on NBC's Saturday Night Live. He played two songs from Prairie Wind: "It's A Dream" and "He Was The King". From an audience viewer Miss De Baron on Bad News Beat:

"Finally Don Pardo announces 'With Musical Guest.... Neil Young' The crowds enthusiastic response was immediate and unrehearsed. As a matter of fact through out the evening when Neil's name was mentioned the reaction was the same. Explosive."

"That's our druggie son"
Neil had a small walk-on part for a skit called "Appalachian Emergency Room". Really not worth repeating the plot line as title sums it up. Various "po white trash" types with an assortment of maladies come and go. Neil says something about prescription pads and the hillbillies say to the doctor: "That's our druggie son".

If you missed the 15 seconds, you didn't miss anything. Neil appeared to wear the same t-shirt as on the Conan O'Brien Show last month with the Aunt Bee quote.



"Ladies and Gentleman ... Neil Young"

Guest host Jack Black, promoting the film "King Kong", introduced Neil.


"It's A Dream"

The first song Neil performed "It's A Dream" on a Steinway grand piano with a 12 piece band & small string orchestra.


Neil Performed with String & Horn Sections


"It's only a dream
Just a memory without anywhere to stay"

The last song of the broadcast was "He Was The King" on Hank William's Martin D28 acoustic guitar.


"He Was The King"

Neil seemed quite animated and having a good time with his wife Pegi on backup vocals.

For fans, Neil's performance was like a dream. Gorgeous strings, horns, harmony vocals, classic clothes. It was all there. And even the little walk on with Neil was a minor treat.

But as always, Neil's music seems to confound even dedicated musicians. Read some of the discussions defending Neil's music on the Martin Guitar Forum. Lots of opinions and an interesting debate.
Buck49 posted:

"Frankly, if it hadn't been for Neil, there might not even be a Martin Guitar Forum. Neil was the one who first spoke to Stills of the tone of vintage Martins. The two of them singlehandly (doublehandedly??) brought old Martin guitars from quaint oddities to highly sought after treasures. They brought the price of vintage Martins to the brink of what we see today. The popularity of Vintage Martins made it possible for the modern Martin company to exist, and to produce the fine instruments they are making today. And without both of those things, we wouldn't have a forum.

I agree, Neil is kind of an aquired taste. Many times I don't think aquired tastes are worth the effort to aquire them. But Neil is."

(Thanks Lou for the link!)


"Ah Thank You Very Much!"

From whatevs (dot org) piping hot content for your sexy bod H-Bomb's 4 Coney's review:

"Rounding out the show’s goodness was the musical acts, both Neil Young and a special appearance by Tenacious D (I LOVE K.G.!). Young undoubtedly proved that, while maybe not in the prettiest of packages, talented, veteran musicians will always win out over the teeny-boppers of today’s generation. I don’t see how anyone, except maybe under the age of 16, could not appreciate how superb both of his sets were. "

Pegi & Neil Say Goodnight on Snowy Rockefeller Plaza Ice Rink

More on previous Saturday Night Live performances by Neil Young.