In the summer of 1973, I got to hang out with Neil Young for a night. He taught me how to take a puff and I taught him some of the cords to "Everyone knows this is nowhere", because he had forgotten them.

Jay Mitchell

I just heard that in the film The Last Waltz they had to make an optical to fix a Neil Young shot because, the close-ups could clearly see cocaine on his nose.

Saw him with Crosby, Still and Nash at a "Summer Fest" at Rich Stadium in Bufalo back around 74-75. He did a couple of solo songs as did the others-I remember him getting pissed because people weren't attentive enough to his song which I think was about his jeep-great concert though-I think he is a great performer/writer and guitar stylist.

Neil Young definitely caused a buzz up here this week, the film was great, but frankly, I was surprised at how well it was received, because while the film was great, it paled compared to deeper/more cinematic/more intellectual works that were here.
It was interesting to see the entourage that Young also had with him, almost like he was afraid to be on the street without crowds around him, but you didn't see that with most of the bigger stars that were there. Robin Williams, for instance...just walking around, checking it out, no one with him. Paris Hilton on the other hand...

Back to topic though, it'll be interesting to see this film out on DVD and how people perceive it. It was brought across prior to the festival as being very "Dylan-ography-like" when it was really just a lengthy MTV Backstage Pass show, IMO.

OK - so here's my Neil Young story to add to the mix.

I was at a reception a couple of years ago during the opening of the the Toronto International Film Festival and when we sat down at a table with our drinks, someone commented that Neil Young was sitting at table. next to us. This escaped me as I knew the name but didn't know what he looked like!

It was the night of his concert at the Air Canada Centre, but he was attending the film fest event because of his film "Greendale", described as a "musical novel" . In the credits he's listed under the Producer, Screenplay and Cinamatogapher. categories. He is also the director, however, for this credit he used the name "Bernard Shakey" (Shakey Pictures is the production company). Kind of interesting I thought.

p.s. I didn't notice any cocaine on his nose, but then again, wasn't looking. We talked to him for a while and he was very outgoing and introduced us to his wife -also very nice. If I ran into him tormorrow, wouldn't recognize him I'm sure. Happens all the time where I live. Robin Williams was at Starbucks a couple of weeks ago and someone told me after I left . Most "stars" are just ordinary people wanting to blend in and not be noticed -seems it works for me!

Hey Oops,

I did a little time on Grendel, uh, Greendale. Fun was had by all and Neil was very likeable, at least while we were all hunching over our lunches. Otherwise we were all busy doing our jobs. Neil was definitely wearing all three hats, but like any sane person he had proper help.

Good to hear that it's been screened.

I also did a little grip work on several interviews in Scorcese's Dylan film. At the time I don't think Scorcese had anything to do with it. Bob was writing the checks. I was surprised, and pleased to see that the stuff we worked on ended up in that film. I thought it had dropped into a black hole somewhere.

Are you in San Francisco, btw?

Rob Mack

........the close-ups could clearly see cocaine on his nose.
Like clinton he didn't inhale,,hard enough
the last Waltz was a drug riddled show, and at that time somewhat the norm, but ole Neil has seemingly survived those years, throat cancer, brain surgery ,rockabilly, David Crosby and still trying to create, good for him, a survivor.

The coke references bring to mind another president. Clinton was never actually pegged for that particular vice.

We seemed to be running a pretty clean set for Greendale.

-Rob Mack

you are absolutely right. not appropriate ,sorry for he joke, no offense intended.

Now I'm glad I removed the rest of my pithy response ;-) I should do that more often.

Cheers and happy new year!

Rob Mack