I was surprised he was even allowed to remove "his" music from spotify for as long as he did given he sold 50% of the rights to his catalog to a financial firm called "hipgnosis" (largely owned by Blackstone) years ago for $150 million. That he was able to cut into their profits by removing his songs from spotify for the past couple years was interesting but I guess he still maintains enough control to do stupid shit like that.
Neil Young was always an asshole. He wrote some beautiful songs in his youth and has become a legend simply because he's lived so long. He hasn't written a great song in 50 years. Artists are mostly all selfish assholes. Don't ever confuse an artist with their art.
Kerry pointed out that maybe the owners (Blackstone, etc) were happy for Young to remove his music, thinking it would help sway people towards the pro-vax/vax-mandate position, since all these goliath corps profit the more power and legitimacy they have over the masses. Losing a tiny bit of spotify revenue as compared to winning the big pharma forced vax battle is nothing. Too bad for them almost nobody gives a crap what Neil Young thinks or if they can get his music from spotify, or if people will be influenced by these kinds of bullying tactics. But this is who we're dealing with -- govt/corporate authoritarian bullies who think they can push us around with threats.
I never thought of that, Robert Plant could be the singer, Young could play the guitar, and they'd just need to find a bassist and drummer. A new "super group" is born! 😂
In their live debut, special guest Bono could do a heavily rehearsed erm, spontaneous appearance to introduce his new composition Take Me to the Dnipro River,. All proceeds to LGBTQI etc rights in former Ukrainian territories.
He is an asshole! I had forgotten about him, he's perfect for the job!
There must be some asshole bassist out there. I can't think of one though, bassists don't usually seem to talk much. Remember John Paul Jones from Zeppelin? He never said much, and seemed to be the happiest out of all of them.
Grew up on early Neil Young, before the Gold Rush album he was great. But he became a FAT asshole. Don’t get me started on Bruce Springsteen’s politics. Like Young his music is great (live from 20 years back) but his politics idiotic.
Thank you for writing an essay venting my own machinations, only better. A guy whose outlook would be interesting to have is Zappa. He seemed a straight free-speech absolutist. But who knows, so many of these “rebels” are the worst sort of pampered hypocrites. Agree with the whole Boomer list, and Stern may be the worst of the bunch given his start as a shock jock/free speech advocate. (He forgot to mention that was only until he got old, rich, and scared, which means he never believed at all)
Thanks for this. I too have been annoyed by supposed rebel boomers who clearly just promote the mainstream anymore. Two more that come to mine are Stephen King and Bruce Springsteen. They are both a looooongggg way from their working class roots.
Back in the 70's, he had fame and fortune. Now, he has to depend upon the government for his Social Security and medications. So yes, he's a government stooge.
I was surprised he was even allowed to remove "his" music from spotify for as long as he did given he sold 50% of the rights to his catalog to a financial firm called "hipgnosis" (largely owned by Blackstone) years ago for $150 million. That he was able to cut into their profits by removing his songs from spotify for the past couple years was interesting but I guess he still maintains enough control to do stupid shit like that.
Neil Young was always an asshole. He wrote some beautiful songs in his youth and has become a legend simply because he's lived so long. He hasn't written a great song in 50 years. Artists are mostly all selfish assholes. Don't ever confuse an artist with their art.
Oh, I did not know that Peebo. Thanks for posting about it. Young must have some smart lawyers if he could get away with that crap.
Agree, he's long past his song-writing prime.
Kerry pointed out that maybe the owners (Blackstone, etc) were happy for Young to remove his music, thinking it would help sway people towards the pro-vax/vax-mandate position, since all these goliath corps profit the more power and legitimacy they have over the masses. Losing a tiny bit of spotify revenue as compared to winning the big pharma forced vax battle is nothing. Too bad for them almost nobody gives a crap what Neil Young thinks or if they can get his music from spotify, or if people will be influenced by these kinds of bullying tactics. But this is who we're dealing with -- govt/corporate authoritarian bullies who think they can push us around with threats.
Pretentious Fops would be a great band name.
I never thought of that, Robert Plant could be the singer, Young could play the guitar, and they'd just need to find a bassist and drummer. A new "super group" is born! 😂
In their live debut, special guest Bono could do a heavily rehearsed erm, spontaneous appearance to introduce his new composition Take Me to the Dnipro River,. All proceeds to LGBTQI etc rights in former Ukrainian territories.
He is an asshole! I had forgotten about him, he's perfect for the job!
There must be some asshole bassist out there. I can't think of one though, bassists don't usually seem to talk much. Remember John Paul Jones from Zeppelin? He never said much, and seemed to be the happiest out of all of them.
Derek Smalls is probably available and is suitably taciturn. The warm water to the fire and ice of Percy and Neil?
Original Neil Young was great. All growed up Neil Young sucks rocks. Don’t give a shit where he goes, I won’t listen.
A southern boy don’t need him around anyhow.
Lynyrd Skynyrd sang about him in Sweet Home Alabama. They were right.
Neil Young is an insufferable asshole, but even if he wasn't, I'd find it hard to listen to his songs because he has the most grating voice.
Lol thank you for the laugh!
Business is business, and Spotify is good business.
And Neil knows that for sure! 😂
Well yeah, he ain't Neil Young anymore - the years have made him Neil Older and Wiser(?).
🔥🔥🔥
Grew up on early Neil Young, before the Gold Rush album he was great. But he became a FAT asshole. Don’t get me started on Bruce Springsteen’s politics. Like Young his music is great (live from 20 years back) but his politics idiotic.
Thank you for writing an essay venting my own machinations, only better. A guy whose outlook would be interesting to have is Zappa. He seemed a straight free-speech absolutist. But who knows, so many of these “rebels” are the worst sort of pampered hypocrites. Agree with the whole Boomer list, and Stern may be the worst of the bunch given his start as a shock jock/free speech advocate. (He forgot to mention that was only until he got old, rich, and scared, which means he never believed at all)
If I recall, CS&N referred to him as the biggest asshole and cry baby. Yea…he still is.
That’s saying something coming from those guys, because David Crosby was a miserable asshole himself.
Thanks for this. I too have been annoyed by supposed rebel boomers who clearly just promote the mainstream anymore. Two more that come to mine are Stephen King and Bruce Springsteen. They are both a looooongggg way from their working class roots.
Back in the 70's, he had fame and fortune. Now, he has to depend upon the government for his Social Security and medications. So yes, he's a government stooge.
Never forget to separate the person from his art, or we'll fall in the vicious ditch of cancel culture.
I love Young's songs, and for the old greedy man, who cares?
Great movie.
Very well put Morgthorak. I like his electric guitar playing though. 🥺