Archive for January, 2010

Latest News: Neil Young

Neil Young Tribute Begins Grammy Weekend
Elton John, Norah Jones, James Taylor help kick off Grammy weekend with Neil Young tribute.

Grammy Weekend Begins With Neil Young Tribute
Grammy weekend begins with Neil Young tribute.

Neil Young Tribute Kicks Off Grammy Weekend
LOS ANGELES — Neil Young sat in the audience as 20 of his best known songs were performed on stage. Elton John, James Taylor, Dave Matthews and more than a dozen other artists launched Grammy weekend with performances honoring Young as the MusiCares Person of the Year. The annual event celebrates an artist’s philanthropy each year as it raises funds for the music industry charity that provides financial, medical and personal assistance to artists in need. Young was honored for his decades of philanthropic service, including work with Farm Aid and the Bridge School Concerts, which raise money to provide services for kids with severe speech and physical impairments. The singer-songwriter and more than 2,000 other guests at the Los Angeles Convention Center were treated to new interpretations of his timeless songs, including “Harvest Moon” and “Cinnamon Girl,” during Friday’s nearly four-hour program. “I’d forgotten how many songs I’d written,” the 64-year-old musician said. Jack Black served as the evening’s host. He said the night’s performers had been “unforgettably, awesomely and life-changingly” influenced by Young’s music. They included John, who said Young was “my hero” as an artist, philanthropist and humanitarian. John played piano and sang “Helpless” backed by Sheryl Crow, Leon Russell and Neko Case. Taylor performed “Heart of Gold.” Matthews offered a heartfelt version of “The Needle and the Damage Done.” John Fogerty and Keith Urban sang “Keep Rocking in the Free World.” Ben Harper, backed by three female singers, offered a stirring take on “Ohio.” Jones duetted with another acoustic guitarist on “Tell Me Why,” and Crow played the accordion as she sang with Stephen Stills on “Long May You Run.” “Neil, how are you enjoying your Bar Mitzvah so far–” Black cracked. Later in the evening, the actor-comedian auctioned off his tie and shoes to benefit MusiCares.

Conan O’Brien’s Last "Tonight Show": Tom Hanks, Will Ferrell, Neil Young, And More! (VIDEO)
“Ladies and Gentlemen, we have exactly one hour to steal every single item in this studio,” Conan O’Brien said, opening his last “Tonight Show” after fans finally stopped chanting his name. He taped the finale today with help from Tom Hanks, Will Ferrell and Neil Young. O’Brien, who is walking away from NBC with $45 million instead of accepting a demotion, mixed gratitude to his supporters with jabs at the network. “I really feel this should be a happy moment. Every comedian dreams of hosting the ‘Tonight Show’ and, for seven months, I got to,” he said. “I did it my way, with people I love, and I do not regret a second. I’ve had more good fortune than anyone I know, and if our next gig is doing a show in a 7-Eleven parking lot, we’ll find a way to make it fun.” This touching moment was tempered with this suggestion of what to do with his fancy set: “Leave the studio cold and empty and rename it ‘the world’s largest metaphor for NBC programming.’” Conan’s other ideas for the space– Site of Tiger Woods’ First Annual Mistress Reunion Fitting room for cast of “The Biggest Loser” Storage facility for apology notes to NBC stockholders Waterpark for Max Weinberg’s illegitimate children Hair and chest oil storage for the “Jersey Shore” cast Future site of “Cooters”, the nation’s first pants less sports bar and restaurant Studio preserved as a nice, quiet, peaceful place where the cast of “Chuck” can be alone with their thoughts Magician David Blaine will attempt the impossible by trying to remain in the studio for longer than seven months Panic room for Gary Busey after the rise of the fire hydrants Studio will be air-lifted to a location with better luck, like on top of a native-American burial ground Of course his ideas for his own career were much more interesting: “As I set off for exciting new career opportunities, I just want to make one thing clear to everyone listening out there: I will do nudity.” Either the rumors he’s headed to Fox are false or Rupert Murdoch is taking the network in a whole new direction.

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