Over the course of Neil's long career stretching back to the early 1960's and his work in Canada with The Squires, through the 70's, 80's, 90's, and into the 21st century, he has produced major albums which both directly and indirectly shaped the music of generations. With over 40 albums with bands including The Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Crazy Horse, Young has never been easily categorized with influences ranging from folk, rock, punk, grunge, country, blues, and synth.
Rolling Stone's Paul Nelson writes on the Boarding House shows in San Francisco, CA in 1978:
"In the manner of the best of the traditional blues singers, Neil Young seems totally alone on stage in a way that almost no contemporary performer ever does. But he's not foreboding, and you don't feel shut off. Head down, chin tucked into his shoulders like a boxer, he peers out at you with those all-knowing eyes filled with humour and flashes that beatific, silly grin. Like Muhammad Ali, he may well be the greatest."
John Rockwell writes in the New York Times of Neil's best film effort:
'Rust Never Sleeps' offers some of his strongest songs, both new and old, in performances as fine or finer than those of his recent, partly live record of the same title. The effect here is rougher than the record, less polished with overdubbing; at one point, Mr. Young even mangles the words of one of his best songs. But the intensity of the singing and the playing of Crazy Horse, Mr. Young's longtime partners for electric-rock projects, is as moving as rock can offer. It's so good, in fact, that it almost lets one overlook Mr. Young's theatrical conceits, and almost makes the film recommendable for the general public, after all.
Here's a collection of articles and links of a Neil Young biography forming a chronology and timeline of his musical career. Starting all the way back to when Neil was born on November 12, 1945 in "a town in North Ontario". Follow Neil's career from the classic phase of Buffalo Springfield, to Crazy Horse, onto Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. On through the punk, shakey and grunge phases. There's a Neil sound for almost every mood - rock, jazz, folk, country, grunge, feedback metal.
Neil Young's influences are vast and varied and he has struck up numerous surprising musical collaborations throughout his career. From Buffalo Springfield, Crazy Horse, Crosby, Stills, & Nash have been his most renowned influences. But there are many interesting stories about Neil's collaborations involving Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Pearl Jam, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Wilco and Nirvana and influences on their music.
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions and answers to Neil facts and trivia. Many of the standard questions like "What's the meaning of 'Powderfinger'" song lyrics?, "Can Neil really out jam Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page?, "Were Lynyrd Skynard and Neil Young friends or enemies?", and "What song did Kurt Cobain quote in his suicide note?" and lots more.
The legendary Winterland Arena in San Francisco, CA has played hosts to hundreds of concerts over the years including the famous "Last Waltz" concert of Bob Dylan and The Band's final performance.
In the spring of 1985, Chris Horn took some photographs of Winterland Arena, San Francisco, CA, being torn down. The photos were stored for many years and a project developed toward donating copies to the SF Museum and Historical Society.
In addition to the photos, Chris gathered stories from people who attended performances while Bill Graham put on rock shows at the venue (1966 - 1978).
Presented for your enjoyment - photos, stories, links and a complete list of performers during the Bill Graham years.
A Neil Young Fan Page