How does rock legend Neil Young maintain his street cred? By relentlessly undermining his every success
Ever since Neil Young’s days playing Yorkville clubs and coffee houses in the 1960s, the iconic singer-songwriter with the love-it-or-hate-it voice has demonstrated a knack for self-sabotage, following up every moment of glory with a move that pisses off even his most ardent fans. This month, Young is celebrated in Neil Young Journeys, a nostalgic feature documentary by director Jonathan Demme. Which only raises the question: how will he mess this one up?
Revels in the role of musical legend in Jonathan Demme’s Neil Young Journeys, which documents a recent Massey Hall show and a trip to the small Ontario town where he spent his childhood.
Is the very picture of rock star excess at The Last Waltz, The Band’s farewell concert, during which he performs with cocaine visible in his nose.
Strays from the event’s ultra- earnest message by jokingly referring to the concert as “Live Bait” in a backstage interview.
(Images: Getstock, Getty Images, Istock Photo, Reprise Records)
