In honor of the man’s 68th birthday. Keep on rockin’ in the free world, Neil.
Neil Young in Helsinki in July 2008.
yle.fi / Creative Commons / Via Flickr: ylefipop
"Down by the River" — Big Sur, Calif.; September 1969
This early Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young performance exemplifies what makes this foursome great together: tangled vocal harmonies, three raging guitars, intricate storytelling, and fringed suede jackets. Plus, they're surrounded by twirling, joint-smoking flower children.
"Helpless" — Massey Hall, Toronto, January 1971
Young's solo acoustic show in Toronto in 1971 is widely considered one of his best, and the despondence of "Helpless" is highlighted in the simplicity and solitude of his Massey Hall performance. Listen to the later-released live album in full here.
"Ohio" — Massey Hall, Toronto, January 1971
Young is often most masterful stripped down, and this telling of the 1970 massacre at Kent State University in Ohio without Crosby, Stills, and Nash is chilling with just him and his guitar.
