- Neil Young and Crazy Horse’s “Love Earth Tour” marks their first collaboration in a decade, highlighting their enduring legacy in rock music.
- The set list included iconic hits and deep cuts, showcasing the band’s versatility and the enduring popularity of their music.
- The inclusion of Micah Nelson and the continued presence of Billy Talbot and Ralph Molina reflect the band’s evolution while honoring its roots.
- Despite Young’s ongoing battle with arthritis, his performances were highly praised, demonstrating his continued mastery of the guitar. The concert’s serene setting and positive reception underscored the special nature of the reunion.
Newsypeople- Neil Young and Crazy Horse have maintained a longstanding and prolific collaboration that has profoundly impacted rock music. Neil Young, the celebrated Canadian singer-songwriter, first teamed up with the American rock band Crazy Horse in the late 1960s, marking the beginning of a dynamic musical partnership. Their first album together, “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere,” released in 1969, set the tone for their raw and unfiltered sound.
Over the decades, Neil Young and Crazy Horse have released a series of acclaimed albums that highlight their gritty style and musical synergy. Some of their notable works include “Ragged Glory,” “Sleeps with Angels,” “Broken Arrow,” and “Greendale.” The band’s lineup has evolved over the years but has typically included stalwarts like Billy Talbot on bass, Ralph Molina on drums, and initially Frank “Poncho” Sampedro on guitar, followed by Nils Lofgren.
Renowned for their energetic and sometimes improvisational live performances, Neil Young and Crazy Horse have continuously captivated audiences around the world. Their tours are celebrated for their spirited and engaging shows, maintaining a loyal fan base eager for their distinct blend of rock, folk, and country influences.
Throughout their career, Neil Young and Crazy Horse have not only preserved but also nurtured their musical chemistry, consistently delivering powerful performances and recordings that showcase their unique and enduring partnership in the world of music.
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Neil Young And Crazy Horse Reunite For Double Encore After Decade
Neil Young and Crazy Horse have reunited for their first tour together in a decade, performing a two-hour show at the FirstBank Amphitheater as part of the 2024 “Love Earth Tour.” This marks their 16th studio album collaboration, with the latest album “Fu##in’ Up” released on April 25, featuring nine rock ‘n’ roll tracks.
The tour kicked off on April 24 in San Diego and includes stops in Virginia, New Jersey, New York, and more. The concert in Franklin was originally scheduled for Wednesday but was postponed due to inclement weather, leading to a serene atmosphere during the performance.
The set design featured a backdrop with a galloping horse and giant speaker cabinets reminiscent of Young’s “Rust Never Sleeps” tour in 1978. Young’s attire included a striped cap, a denim work shirt with paint splatters and a Spartan Truck Equipment patch, black pants, black shoes, and his iconic guitar, Old Black. The concert showcased a blend of classic grunge rock ‘n’ roll with Crazy Horse and softer, acoustic performances reminiscent of Young’s collaborations with Crosby, Stills & Nash in 1969.
Neil Young rocks the stage with 'Born in the U.S.A.' 🎸 pic.twitter.com/UTcFZ0ZxWX
— AXS TV (@AXSTV) May 9, 2024
A highlight of the concert was the opening song “Cortez the Killer,” where Young surprised the audience by singing previously unreleased lyrics that were lost due to a power outage during the original recording session in 1975. These lyrics, found by Young earlier this year, were performed live for the first time in Franklin, adding a historical significance to the reunion tour.
This reunion comes after a long hiatus, with the last album featuring Crazy Horse being the 2003 rock opera “Greendale,” and the band touring with Young in 2003 and 2004. The full lineup of Crazy Horse, including guitarist Frank “Poncho” Sampedro, has not backed Young on an album since “Broken Arrow” in 1996, making this tour and album a significant return to form for the legendary duo.
Neil Young And Crazy Horse History Explored
Neil Young’s collaboration with Crazy Horse significantly jump-started his career, marking a pivotal moment in his musical journey. After facing challenges with his initial solo efforts and the dissolution of Buffalo Springfield, Young sought a raw, edgier sound for his music. This led him to form Crazy Horse, initially known as the Rockets, a band composed of Danny Whitten, Billy Talbot, and Ralph Molina. Despite not being highly trained musicians, the band’s intensity and raw energy resonated with Young, who saw in them the perfect vehicle for the music he wanted to create.
The formation of Crazy Horse coincided with Young’s decision to abandon the polished studio approach of his debut album for a more organic, live-in-the-studio method. This shift was evident in the rapid creation of their debut album, “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere,” which was recorded essentially live over two weeks. The album featured songs like “Cinnamon Girl,” “Down By The River,” and “Cowgirl In The Sand,” showcasing Young’s ability to write and perform with a newfound freedom and intensity.
Crazy Horse’s influence on Young’s career was immediate and profound. Their debut album, despite initial lackluster sales, gradually climbed the charts and gained significant recognition. The band’s raw, unfiltered approach to music allowed Young to explore deeper, more personal themes and to experiment with longer, more improvisational pieces. This collaboration also opened doors for Young, leading to his participation in the supergroup Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, which further solidified his status in the music industry.
The partnership between Neil Young and Crazy Horse has been described as transformative, not just for Young’s career but also for the evolution of rock music. Their ability to capture the essence of Young’s vision in a way that was both raw and refined set a new standard for rock and roll, influencing countless artists and bands that followed.
