Biography
Who is Neil Young?
Early life and real name
Neil Percival Young was born on November 12, 1945, in Toronto, Canada. His parents were Scott Young, a journalist and author, and Edna Blow Ragland Young. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to rural Omemee, Ontario.
In the late summer of 1951, he contracted polio during an outbreak in Ontario, leaving him partially paralyzed on his left side. After spending time in the hospital, he lived in Florida briefly for his recovery before returning to Canada.
Early career and Buffalo Springfield
Neil Young began his music career in Winnipeg during the 1960s, where he played in local bands like the Squires. He later moved to Los Angeles in 1966 and formed the rock group Buffalo Springfield alongside Stephen Stills, Richie Furay, Dewey Martin, and Bruce Palmer.
The band blended folk, country, psychedelia, and rock before splitting up in May 1968. Their work helped establish the genres of folk rock and country rock, and the group was later inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.
Solo career and Crazy Horse
Following the breakup of Buffalo Springfield, Neil Young signed a solo deal with Reprise Records and began performing with his backing band, Crazy Horse. His solo discography includes critically acclaimed records such as Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, After the Gold Rush, and Harvest.
He also became a part-time member of the supergroup Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, recording the chart-topping album Déjà Vu in 1970. Throughout his career, he earned the nickname Godfather of Grunge due to his distorted electric guitar playing.
Films and awards
Aside from music, Neil Young directed several films using the pseudonym Bernard Shakey, including path Through the Past, Rust Never Sleeps, Human Highway, and Greendale. He also contributed to the soundtracks of films like Philadelphia and Dead Man.
He has received multiple Grammy and Juno Awards, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted him twice. Also, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2010 and received the Order of Manitoba in 2006.
Birthday and age
Neil Young was born on November 12, 1945, which makes Neil 81 years old today. That birthday falls under the Scorpio sign. Neil shares the date with 64 other famous people.
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