Neil Young played ‘My Boy’ for the first time in 42 years at Ontario school benefit
Folk icon Neil Young performed ‘My Boy’ for the first time since 1983 at an Ontario school benefit show on May 23rd.
Young and his wife Daryl Hannah visited Lakefield College School’s Northcote Campus in 2024, a trip which inspired them to restore the farmhouse and cabins. The Ontario show was a benefit performance that helped raise funds for the mission.
‘My Boy’ is a track from the 1985 album Old Ways. Young wrote on his blog, “Practicing for LAKEFIELD, I was playing ‘My Boy,’ thinking about my own Dad, pictured here with my son and I. I know he must have heard this song.”
The Heart of Gold singer continued: “My dad was a great guy and Zeke is my wonderful son. I think ‘My Boy’ is my favourite recording of all the ones I have done. I love Ben Keith and Spooner Oldham’s playing, as well as all the others on it. They are soulful musicians. I have really been so lucky!”
He also performed ‘Name Of Love’ for the first time at the show, which was recorded live and released on his album, Live 1988, in 2020, as he dug into the rarities for the benefit show.
Recently, Young made headlines as he supported Bruce Springsteen in his public feud with Donald Trump. Springsteen criticised the current American government and the President at a show in Manchester, after which Trump posted a rant about the Born in the USA singer, which included a threat.
Young penned an open letter to Trump for his actions against Springsteen, saying in the Neil Young Archives, “Bruce and thousands of musicians think you are ruining America. You worry about that instead of the dyin’ kids in Gaza. That’s your problem. I am not scared of you. Neither are the rest of us.”
Neil Young is set to headline this year’s Glastonbury festival. Initially withdrawing from Glastonbury 2025, citing the BBC’s influence as “corporate control,” he later reversed his decision and will headline the festival.
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