Shakey

1. Prairie Roots and Early Scars Shaped a Loner

Rassy went through life laughing until then. Everything was funny to her … after that, it wasn’t.

A challenging childhood. Neil Young's early life in Canada was marked by his parents' tumultuous relationship and eventual divorce. His mother, Rassy, a strong-willed and emotional woman, became his primary caregiver, while his father, Scott, a successful journalist, remained a more distant figure.

Early health battles. A significant event was contracting polio at age six, which left him with physical limitations and contributed to his shy, withdrawn nature. This early vulnerability contrasted with his later fierce determination.

Finding solace in music. Music became an escape and a world of his own. Listening to radio, collecting records, and teaching himself instruments provided a sanctuary from family conflict and physical challenges, laying the foundation for his future obsession.

2. Chance Encounters Fueled a Musical Journey

They were going that way and we were going this way," said Palmer. "Karma turned Richie Furay’s head."

The road to California. Young's move from Canada to Los Angeles was driven by a singular focus on making it in music, leaving behind friends and family. This journey, often undertaken in dilapidated vehicles like his hearse Mort, symbolized his restless spirit.

Meeting key collaborators. A seemingly random traffic jam on Sunset Boulevard led to the fateful reunion with Stephen Stills and Richie Furay, directly resulting in the formation of Buffalo Springfield. Later, chance encounters would bring him together with David Briggs and the members of Crazy Horse.

Seizing opportunities. Young demonstrated an early ability to recognize and act on opportunities, whether it was getting gigs for his early bands, seeking out influential musicians, or making bold moves like leaving Toronto for Los Angeles with little more than a dream.

3. Health Struggles and Inner Demons Defined His Art

Polio fucked up my body a little bit.

Physical and mental battles. Beyond polio, Young grappled with epilepsy, which caused seizures and disorientation, particularly during periods of stress or drug use. These health issues were deeply personal and often hidden from public view.

Drugs as escape and fuel. While initially cautious, Young experimented with drugs, particularly marijuana and cocaine, which influenced his creative process and relationships. The Tonight's the Night era, fueled by tequila and grief, is a stark example of this connection.

Art as catharsis. His struggles with health, relationships, and the pressures of fame often manifested in his music, creating a raw, vulnerable, and sometimes dark emotional landscape that resonated deeply with listeners.

4. Finding Raw Power with Crazy Horse

Crazy Horse is a great, great thing. You can never go out and play a whole show with a band that’s gonna be more fun through the whole thing than Crazy Horse, because it’s so real.

A band of misfits. After the polished sound of Buffalo Springfield and his first solo album, Young found his ideal musical foil in Crazy Horse – a group of raw, imperfect musicians whose lack of technical precision allowed Young's guitar and songwriting to shine.

The Briggs connection. Producer David Briggs was instrumental in capturing the raw energy of Crazy Horse, sharing Young's vision for authentic, unpolished recordings. Their collaboration defined the band's signature sound.

An intangible chemistry. Despite their musical limitations and personal struggles (particularly Danny Whitten's addiction), the bond between Young and the Horse was profound and intuitive, creating a unique, soulful groove that became the bedrock of his most celebrated rock music.

5. Superstardom Brought Chaos and Conflict

Cocaine and ego.

The CSNY phenomenon. Joining Crosby, Stills, and Nash propelled Young into massive commercial success and global fame, culminating in iconic performances like Woodstock. However, the supergroup was plagued by clashing egos, drug abuse, and internal tensions.

Ego and substance abuse. The combination of immense fame, wealth, and rampant drug use (especially cocaine) exacerbated existing rivalries, particularly between Young and Stephen Stills, leading to volatile relationships and inconsistent musical output.

The price of fame. The CSNY experience highlighted the destructive potential of the music industry's excesses, contrasting sharply with Young's preference for more grounded, authentic musical endeavors like Crazy Horse.

6. The Unpredictable Artistic Path

I always change to what I see around me.

Genre fluidity. Young consistently defied expectations by shifting musical styles, moving seamlessly between folk, country, hard rock, and even electronic music. This refusal to be pigeonholed often frustrated record companies and fans alike.

Instinct over calculation. His creative process was often spontaneous and intuitive, prioritizing capturing a raw moment over meticulous perfection. This led to both brilliant, unpolished recordings and commercially challenging albums.

Rebelling against the norm. Young's artistic choices were frequently a reaction against prevailing trends, whether it was the polished sound of the 70s, the corporate sponsorship of the 80s, or the expectations placed upon him as a "legend."

7. Complex Relationships Fuel Art

Neil’s very, very lonely, and he isolates himself.

A pattern of intense connections. Young formed deep, often complicated relationships with family, bandmates, producers, and romantic partners. These connections, while sometimes fraught with conflict, were often sources of inspiration for his songwriting.

Difficulty with intimacy. Despite writing deeply emotional songs, Young often struggled with direct communication and emotional vulnerability in his personal life, leading to misunderstandings and hurt feelings with those closest to him.

Leaving a "big wake." His tendency to abruptly move on from relationships or projects, while perhaps necessary for his artistic survival, often left a trail of emotional destruction for others involved.

8. Business Acumen Protected Creative Freedom

Neil demands certain things that if anyone else demanded them, they would say that they were outrageous—and he gets them.

Art vs. Commerce. Young consistently prioritized his artistic vision over commercial success, making unconventional albums and refusing to compromise his creative control, even when it meant clashing with record labels and managers.

The "No Men." Managers like Elliot Roberts and producers like David Briggs, while sometimes clashing with each other and Young, were fiercely loyal and instrumental in protecting his independence and enabling his often uncommercial projects.

Navigating the industry. Despite his anti-establishment stance, Young demonstrated a shrewd understanding of the music business, negotiating deals that allowed him unprecedented control and financial stability, even suing his record company when necessary.

9. Family, Trains, and Later Life Obsessions

My life with my children has been quite an experience for me.

The impact of fatherhood. The birth of his sons, particularly Ben's health challenges, profoundly affected Young, shifting his priorities and influencing his creative output, leading to projects like the Bridge School and his work with Lionel Trains.

Trains as sanctuary and project. His childhood love for model trains evolved into a major obsession and business venture, providing a creative outlet, a connection to his son, and a retreat from the pressures of his music career.

Finding stability. His marriage to Pegi provided a grounding force, offering a stable personal life amidst the chaos of his professional world and inspiring some of his most heartfelt later ballads.

10. Survival Through Constant Reinvention

I’m lucky to be alive.

Enduring challenges. Young navigated a career marked by health crises, personal tragedies, industry battles, and artistic risks, yet consistently emerged to create new music and connect with audiences.

Defying expectations. His refusal to settle into a predictable role or sound, while alienating some, allowed him to remain relevant and authentic across decades, earning him the respect of younger generations.

The ongoing journey. At over seventy, Young continues to record, tour, and pursue new projects, embodying the spirit of his own lyric – "It's better to burn out than to fade away" – by remaining fiercely creative and unapologetically himself.

Last updated: May 21, 2025