Neil Young once “cancelled” an incredible ‘Almost Famous’ cameo: “He giveth and he taketh”
Neil Young is one of the most gifted songwriters of his generation. A dab hand with his pen, lyrics seem to flow out of him with supreme grace and ease. Likewise, he is an often underrated guitarist. ‘Cinnamon Girl’ is a testament to that.
But what is perhaps most forgotten is Young’s connection with cinema, and how it stretches far beyond his attachment to partner and actor Daryl Hannah. As well as writing some great songs for impeccable soundtracks, Young has also had a hand in directing some of his concert films and even directed Devo and Dennis Hopper in Human Highway.
But, outside of concert films and the odd voiceover, Young has never really appeared on screen. Unlike a lot of musicians of his generation, Young’s desire to step in front of the camera seems to be a generally fleeting one, something Cameron Crowe can attest to.
Neil Young was supposed to have a cameo appearance in Almost Famous, according to the film’s director and writer, Crowe. The filmmaker used his work as a Rolling Stone journalist during the magazine’s musical boom to feather the nest of his feature film starring Kate Hudson, Jason Lee and Billy Crudup.
The cult classic, which tells the story of a young music journalist who has been sent out on his first assignment for Rolling Stone, was celebrating its 20th year when Crowe found himself being interviewed for reflections on perhaps the finest rock movie in modern times. In a reflective mood, director Crowe has been speaking in-depth about the film.
Fittingly, in conversation with Rolling Stone, Crowe explained how Young was due to play Harry Hammond in the film who is the estranged father of lead character Russell Hammond. “Neil was going to come backstage in Cleveland with a young wife,” he said.
“They’re complimenting the show, but the young bride is looking at Crudup and he’s looking at her; and he realises that the father is being played and is piggybacking on his [son’s] success. It’s a heartbreaking moment about what success does to an estranged parent.”
Adding: “It was a cool little scene. Betsy [Heimann] had outfitted Neil Young, and he had his clothes and everything and cancelled the morning of.” There isn;t much information out there as to why Young decided to cancel the cameo at short notice, but the songwriter is not without his whims, just ask Glastonbury Festival, Spotify or MTV.
However, if you were in fear that this story would end on a sour note for fans of Young, then fear not. While the songwriter wasn’t keen on getting in front of the lens, he was happy to be a part of the movie. “But he was first in line to give us the acoustic ‘Cortez The Killer’,” Crowe explained. “And he went through his archives to find the perfect take and mixed it and gave it to us. So he giveth and he taketh,” Crowe added.
While we will never get the chance to see Young in the cult classic movie, sometimes things work out how they are supposed to and having the song feature is far more important.
