Neil Young

Neil Young

Neil Young is a Canadian singer, guitarist, songwriter and social activist. He is born in Toronto and grows up in Winnipeg, where his music career begins after moving there as a child. He starts performing as a solo artist in Canada in 1960, and later moves to California in 1966.

Early bands and major collaborations

In California, Young co-founds Buffalo Springfield with Stephen Stills and Richie Furay. After the group breaks up, he continues as a solo artist and later joins Crosby, Stills & Nash in 1969 as a fourth member, forming Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. He also works with Crazy Horse, a collaboration that becomes one of the central parts of his career. The band’s interplay with Young’s guitar playing is especially important on Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere.

Solo career and albums

Young releases his first solo album, Neil Young, in 1968. It includes “The Loner,” a song associated with his own outlook and also linked to Stephen Stills. In 1969 he makes Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, which is built around the first major collaboration with Crazy Horse and includes “Down by the River” and “Cowgirl in the Sand.” His 1971 album After the Gold Rush includes “Southern Man,” “Only Love Can Break Your Heart” and “Don’t Let It Bring You Down.” Harvest follows in 1972 and includes the hit “Heart of Gold.”

Style and later work

Young’s work spans multiple styles and he is known for moving between them without settling into one sound. His albums include country rock on Old Ways, electronics on Trans, old-time rock and roll with the Shocking Pinks on Everybody’s Rockin', a feedback-heavy live sound on Arc-Weld, and collaboration with Pearl Jam on Mirror Ball. His career also includes an album/concert/film project, Greendale. He is sometimes sued by his record company, Geffen, over making music considered uncharacteristic.

Recognition and legacy

Young has a career that spans more than 40 years and 34 studio albums. Critics often regard him as one of the most influential musicians of his generation and one of the strongest individual songwriters in rock. Songs such as “Heart of Gold” and “Rockin' in the Free World” remain widely played on rock radio. He is also often called “Shakey,” a nickname given by friends after they notice his unsteady camera work on home movies.

Other work

Outside music, Young is involved in film and social activism. He founds Pono Music, a service and hardware project intended for high-resolution digital music, but it does not succeed and closes in 2016.