Neil and Me

By Scott Young

Book Overview

SCOTT YOUNG chronicles his son's early years in and around Toronto and Winnipeg and his rise from journeyman, musician to superstar in the 1960s and 1970s. The frequent occasions when Scott and Neil's paths have crossed - from backstage meetings and family get-togethers to a sold-out appearance at Carnegie Hall - give a fascinating portrait of an enigmatic star.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0771070594
• ISBN13: 9780771070594
• Release Date: October 2009
• Publisher: McClelland & Stewart
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.2" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Good stuff

This book was very entertaining and fun to read. Very informative from a very cool point of view.

great reading

I bought this for my husband as he is a Neil Young fan. So far he is very pleased with it.

Fascinating psychological artifact

The first thing you must know about this book: Scott Young adores his son. This adoration pours out in every mention of Neil, whether he's breeding chickens or playing Carnegie Hall. Whether the senior Young was quite so emotional about his other children or not, it's really touching. The book is utterly unique, as far as I can tell: with the exception of A.A. Milne, fathers just don't seem to write biographies of their children, much less legendary newspapermen of exceedingly legendary rock stars. You do get the Neil Young story in this book, with most of the milestones carefully included, but it's far less interesting than the story of the Young family from its beginnings and its contortions and realignments over the years. Don't pick this up because you think it will let you understand Neil Young -- even the most milquetoast of men is ultimately unfathomable to others, and NY's inner landscape is craggy and forbidding indeed -- but if you want an account of one family's life, go ahead! It's appropriate to the man that the two worthwhile biographies (this, by Neil's father, and Shakey, by Jimmy McDonough) of Neil Young have extremely unreliable narrators. This isn't to say that either is intentionally deceptive or misleading, but both have such powerful feelings about Young that their books say more about who they see Neil as (Scott as the caring family man who wants simplicity, JMcD as a chronic deal-breaker and hellraiser) than who he actually is (somewhere in the boundary layer, I'd bet). It's something that Neil himself might well savor.

Very informative. Great insight to Neil's formative years.

Loved the book, bought others for friends. It's been several years, so I might read it again. Just gave one to 19 year female college student, she was very grateful! So Neil lives on!!Thanks Neil for all the hours of great music!!!!!

Any true Neil Young fan shouldn't miss this.

This book depicts Neil's life as seen from the eyes of his father's. Early childhood stories quickly give way to Neil's first meeting with Stephen Stills in New York, the journey to California from Ontario, formation of Buffalo Springfield etc. Chocked full of trivia, who met who and why various bands were formed. CSN & Y years up through the tour with the Shocking Pinks (and Dad)in the early 80's. I couldn't put this book down. Rather than have a fatherly perspective, Scott Young tells this tale as a biography of his best friend. I highly recommend this book if you're into Neil at all, you won't be sorry.