Julian Kaminski

Mr.Partlow

Thursday, January 06, 2011

Godfather of Grunge

Back then people closed their eyes and listened to music. Today there's a lot of images that go

with the music. A lot of music is crap and it's all commercial and the images are all trying to sell the

record. (Neil Young Quotes) These words, came from a man of talent and wisdom. He was a significant

part of Canadian history, helping Canadian artists break into the American mainstream music market,

bringing a new style into music, while helping society through foundations, and humanitarian actions

with many prestigious, and honored awards backing him up. He was the “Godfather of Grunge”

(Theselvedgeyard.com.wordpress.com). Considered a music legend, the man was Neil Percival Young.

Arguably Neil Young's greatest accomplishment was getting into America's mainstream music

market, and later helping other Canadian musicians get into it too. Neil's first break came in 1966,

when he joined a band known as “Buffalo Springfield”, with another music legend, Stephen Stills.

Although the bad didn't last long, it helped push Neil into the spotlight. (Rockhall of Fame) After

Buffalo Springfield broke up, and few other small bands Neil joined had broken up, he got a big break.

Neil signed on with Reprise Records in 1969, and released his first solo record, “Neil Young” in both

Canada and America. Shortly after releasing his first album, Neil got three musicians from a band,

“The Rocket”, Danny Whitten, Billy Talbot, and Ralph Molina. This quad joined, and formed a band

known as “Crazy Horse”. As if God had plans for Neil, he left Crazy Horse, shortly after releasing their

album “Knows This is Nowhere”, and joined Crosby, Stills & Nash. (Who renamed themselves Crosby,

Stills, Nash and Young) They became known as “The Beatles of America”, which didn't hold Neil back
from continuing to pursue his solo career. (Neil Young Biography) As if it was deja vu, Crosby, Stills,

Nash and Young broke up, and Crazy Horse signed their own record deal, Neil produced his fourth solo

album, “Journey Through the Past”. During this time, he wrote his greatest songs, “Harvest” and

“Heart of Gold”, which was his only Number one song in America. Since Neil wrote what was on his

mind, and in the world, he wrote a song “The Needle and The Damage Done”, which was about the

damage heroin had done, which was inspired by a heroin addict, Danny Whitten, the same man who

joined Neil to form Crazy Horse. In the late seventies, Neil would perform with old band members,

doing high-profile concerts. 1979 was probably the last “Glory Year” he had. From here, everything

seemed to go down-hill with Neil experimenting different styles, like synthesizers, or a rockabilly

genre of music after signing a giant record deal with Geffen Records in 1983.(Neil Young) His albums

would be critiqued, being called “repetitive”, and that it wouldn't be a song replayed often.

(Neil Young Experiments) Not much would occur in the late 80's or 90's, with his musical career almost

over, however in 1995 he recorded an album with Pearl Jam (Neil Young Biography), in which many

people consider one of his last musical acts.

During the years of writing, singing, and playing, Neil Young broke through with a

revolutionary style with the way he wrote, and sang, which was echoed through grunge legends. He

became an influence for many, include music legends. Many bands, such as Pearl Jam, Nickelback, and

musician Kurt Cobain admitted that Young was an influence them. (Bands like Nickelback) (Pearl Jam)

Cobain even gave a reference to one of Neil's song in his suicide note, writing “it's better to burn out,

then to fade away”, which were lyrics written by Neil in his song, “My My, Hey Hey”.

(Theselvedgeyard.com.wordpress.com) Frank Sampedro once said, “Young has always been a muscal

chameleon, who changes his musical style and his hand as often as most people change their shirt”

(Crazy Horse Interview.). Neil would play anything from blues to synth, heavy metal to punk. He

would never stay with a certain genre, unlike most musicians do. He was unique, different, something
special. He would often write about world events, like his song “Ohio” which he wrote after seeing

photos of the four students killed in the Kent State massacre, which occurred on May 4th, 1970.

(Hensley and Lewis) A few of his songs, like “Greendale” showed lyrics for being eco-friendly, (Neil

Young) and others, like “War Song” attempting to show his protest against the war. (War Songs)

Although this isn't music related, it relates with his effort to bring awareness to world events. He has

been a director, and film-maker under the name of Bernard Shakey. He directed many documentaries,

such as CSNY / Deja Vu, Greendale, and Human Highway. Most of his movies have been revolved

around his music career, the environment, and war. (Neil Young Movie)

Aside from his contribution to music, Neil Young has always tried to reach out to our society,

with contributions to humanitarian, and environmental charities. None of these contributions, to the

music industry, and to society has gone unrecognized, as Neil has received many awards to showcase

these acts of greatness. Under CSNY (Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young) he has contributed to many

organizations such as, Amnesty International, The Bridge School, Donate Life America, Rainforest

Alliance, Veterans for Peace, and many more.(Charitable Organizations) However, probably Neil's

greatest charitable actions are the foundings of Farm Aid, and The Bridge School. Neil, and two others,

Willie Nelson, and John Mellencamp organized Farm Aid to raise awareness about the loss of family

farms and to raise funds for them. Over the many years, Farm Aid has raised more than over $37

million to support the strong farm system of agriculture. It's agenda is to promote food from family

farms, which is mainly to increase the number of people buying their food. This is achieved through

concerts, campaigns, mail, and even radio. Also on their agenda is helping farmers thrive, like helping

them survive natural disasters, to have connections between local markets and farm food, and to change

and promote fair farm policies by protesting against growth hormones, genetically modified food, etc.

The Bridge School, was founded by his wife, Pegi Young, and Jim Foderer, after Pegi and Neil couldn't

find any schools that would meet the needs of their disabled children. Although not directly involved in
founding it, Neil had helped it grow. On October 13, 1986, Neil held a concert, with friends of his to

raise funds for the school, after there wasn't enough funds to get the idea off the ground. In 1987, they

hired a strong professional team of teachers, and speech pathologists, along with instructional assistants

to cover any and every need the children would have. In 1995, a permanent school was built. Now, over

20 years later, they've helped many children with disabilities get education that's right for them.(Bridge

School History) Just like Farm Aid, The Bridge School has a mission, which includes six points they're

trying to get through to everyone. These are all moral points, like “All children should have access to a

quality education that encompasses a broad base of knowledge and experiences” (Bridge School

Mission). Clearly, none of these contributions have gone unnoticed. In 1982, Neil was inducted into the

Canadian music Hall of Fame, and won a Juno award, but that wasn't it. In 1994, Neil received the

Governor Generals Performing Arts award (Performing Acts), and the prestigious Order of Canada in

2009 (Governor General). Despite winning only 1 Grammy, which he did in 2010 for “Best art

direction on a boxed or special limited edition package” (First-Ever Grammy), he's been nominated

several times. He's also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, twice, once with Buffalo

Springfield in 1997 , and once with his solo career in 1995.(Rock And Roll Inductees) (Buffalo

Springfield Bio) He's also been named 34th of 100 artists of all time by the Rolling stones (100

Greatest). Clearly, these awards purely showcase his effort he's put into anything he's been with,

whether it be music or society.

You can argue that there are other great Canadians, like Wayne Gretzky, or Tommy Douglas.

Maybe Trudeau was a great Prime Minister, and sure, Alexander Graham Bell invented the phone.

However, politics doesn't connect with people as much as music does. It doesn't have the same effect as

music does. Same goes with Hockey, and healthcare, or even the telephone. Music is something that

connects with everyone individually. For one person it may be a way to get away, for another to relax.

Everyone has that personal connection with music, one way or another. That's why it's important that
Neil Percival Young got into the American mainstream, and brought a new style to music. His

contributions also add up, and give an effect. Without Young, Justin Bieber, the Barenaked Ladies, even

Celine Dion wouldn't be where they are or were. Music does something nothing else can do. It's the

escape, the healing, the connection it makes. It's something that politics, or sports, or even drugs can't

do. And it's something Neil Percival Young changed. He may be an “Old Man”, but he has a “Heart of

Gold”. (Neil Young Lyrics)