Neil Young recently faced a significant personal and professional crossroads, as highlighted by his bandmate, Micah Nelson. Nelson, who has collaborated with Young in various projects like Promise of The Real and Crazy Horse, shared insights into Young’s struggles leading up to the formation of their new band, Chrome Hearts.
According to Nelson, Young was feeling “really sick” and “drained” during a difficult period at the end of 2024. This downturn was exacerbated by the abrupt halting of a tour with Crazy Horse, due to health issues affecting the band members, which impacted Young deeply. Nelson vividly described Young’s emotional and physical state, noting, “I knew how bummed out Neil was. He wasn’t feeling like making music. He was really sick. He was trying to get over that and just get his energy back.”
Nelson recounted the toll these events had on Young, especially given the singer’s long-standing passion for music. “He was really bummed out about what happened and how it all went down. And that just kind of drained him a lot, and doused this flame. I was like: ‘Is Neil fading away? This is unacceptable’,” Nelson reflected, emphasizing his concern about Young’s well-being and artistic spirit.
Determined to help rekindle Young’s passion for music, Nelson took it upon himself to reach out frequently, urging Young to take the time he needed to recover. “I’d call him a lot and check in on him and remind him how he’s not old,” he said. His encouragement focused on reminding Young that healing and recharging were essential and that his creativity was still alive, just needing to be tapped into again.
Nelson’s persistence paid off, leading to the formation of Chrome Hearts, which included not only himself but also Young’s Promise of the Real bandmates, Corey McCormick and Anthony LoGerfo, along with organ player Spooner Oldham. Together, they embarked on a new musical journey, performing a headline slot at Glastonbury in 2025, a performance that was highly praised and described as a return to form for Young.
Nelson shared insights about the creative process leading to Chrome Hearts, describing it as “micro-dosing” the idea of continuous musical exploration. He intentionally planted seeds of inspiration, ensuring that when Young was ready to re-engage with music, he would be able to draw tools and ideas from the ground he had cultivated during his time away from performing. “It just feels right,” Nelson said, reflecting on the band’s organic growth.
Following their successful tour, in which they captivated audiences with their performances, Young has continued to make waves in the music scene. Recently, he announced a 50th-anniversary re-release of his iconic album ‘Tonight’s The Night.’ In a statement that encapsulated his ethos, Young declared, “The time is here. FORGET AMAZON,” announcing he would be pulling his music from the platform to support local businesses instead. He urged fans to embrace community-driven options, maintaining his long-standing commitment to authenticity and grassroots support.
Young’s fortitude, in both personal and artistic endeavors, illustrates not only his resilience but also the profound connections he fosters within his musical family. It serves as a reminder of the complex intertwining of health, creativity, and collaborative spirit that continues to define his legacy.