By Victoria Smith
Neil still Young after all thes years
HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 10/28/09 — “I’m just so happy to see you.” I said with sincere elation as Neil Young was walking passed me backstage at the Bridge School Benefit. ”You too” he replied with a pat to my back. I had officially spoke to my hero. Check. I had seen him around all day and all day the day before, but I only managed to smile in complete respect and admiration. Yes I would follow Neil anywhere. Neil Young people! True. Rooted. Real. Representin’ individualality. Freedom. Heart. Not givin’ a f*ck. Its certainly nice to have someone to look up to. Now, on with the show..
The dressing room door had wacked me in the head and I was never right after. I wasn’t feeling the fever I had anticipated. The Bridge School is something tender. Its classy. Its creme de la creme. It’s one of my favorite events in the world and I was non-chalant. Something within me and beyond me blocked me from realizing where I was. I strolled passed Gwen Stefani, Gavin Rossdale, Sheryl Crow,Adam Sandler (him I said hello to), Fab Moretti of The Strokes and everybody else to sit quietly in Chris Martin’s dressing room where he was mostly absent. I didn’t know what my problem was, something with the cosmos I guess. I wanted to kick myself.
In early days, before I was officially a rock photographer, I’d cruise down to the Shoreline with my best friend to see the concert. We’d have no money, no ticket but I was always sure we’d get in, and sure enough, two years in a row we stood out front and were handed quite on a silver platter VIP tickets. Every year I’d cry during a performance. One year I cried three times, for Tony Bennet, Paul McCartneyand Neil Young. I suppose I’m a bit of a sap.
“Has Neil talked to you?” I said to Wolfmothers lead singer Andrew Stockdale after Neil passed him without a word. ”I’ve never heard that to start a conversation before” he said. ”Yeah, we were at his house last night” he continued. I heard sarcasm and denied it being true. Andrew: “Is this gonna be one of those things where I say ‘Yeah’ and you say ‘noooo’..?” OK, he wasn’t toying with my emotions. All the acts that perform for Neil’s Bridge School Benefit are invited to Neil’s ranch the Friday night before for a dinner. If I just made Andrew sound like a tit it’s not true, he is very open, kind and chill to talk with and Wolfmother were the heaviest rock act to perform and the most rock and roll.
I missed Gavin Rossdale’s performance but I heard it was “actually really good”. That quote says a lot. I loved his music in Bush when I was a teen, the angsty low chords, and those are still the chords he knows but the life he leads isn’t so much angst anymore, are ya with me? He seems very happy, in love and his life obviously is one of leisure and wee decadence. The new music I heard of his over a wire lacked connection or belief. I think he should learn new chords and just say ‘f*ck it, I’m happy, I’m gonna play happy songs now’. But its not easy being true. Its hard to get pass the muck of ego, conceit and wanting to please.. and lets not forget the letting go of one’spast. Gavin, you’re hot, give it to us!
The Fleet Foxes performance was seamless and perfect. Every note that was recorded on the record was delivered precisely. The singer Robin Pecknold has innocence in his face, a great smile, a voice quite true. The kids got heart, you see it when his eyes are shut tight while he digs for the songs delivery. I use to diss them a bit for trying to bite Crosby, Stills and Nash but I won’t do that anymore. They don’t deserve a diss. The singer spoke about being up on the lawn some many years ago when his father took him to this very benefit. That’s points right there.
Monsters of Folk? Hmm, they enjoyed themselves.
Sheryl Crow? Fine and dandy.
Adam Sandler is a cool dude. Just looking into his face I laugh. He’s got that look in his eye. He’s confident and he wants to make you happy. I felt a little better after seeing him.
Chris Martin performed on piano with Goldfrapp’s Davide Rossi on violin. He charmed the crowd with his banter and fumbles. He’s a bit of the favorite child. When he messes up, its endearing, when someone else messes up, they just suck. Yup, he’s the golden boy. Seems like he can do no wrong. He closed with The Penguin’s ‘Earth Angel‘ which he was impressed with from, what he calls his favorite film, Back to the Future (1).
No Doubt. Gwen Stefani. Stunning. She’s this wonderful mix of glamour with ska swagger. She’s one of a kind this one. A consummate performer. Full of moxie. A long living icon, no doubt. Oh and yes, the band were on their toes too.
This brings me to Neil Young, the headliner. The man who’s music melted my armour. Neil Young is like home. He cuts to the heart. I prayed he would play Down by the River and by gone dong it he did! I was winning. He also played classic Harvest Moon. I was finally coming around now, out of the mystery fog, my attitude was being adjusted. I called some old friends up in mountains to let them hear bits. Neil’s music is a thread that binds me to times and people. The last song all acts joined him on stage and all radiated with pride to be jamming on the same stage as Neil Young. This was the finale to the the 23rd year of the annual benefit Neil and wife Pegi put on. I assume a major part of his inspiration for the show is both of Neil’s son’s have cerebral palsy and his daughter, like Neil, has epilepsy.
When I come around, I come around. Myself and Italian violinist Davide Rossi had some wine and stayed backstage until Neil was leaving. I let him walk off with a goodnight. I didn’t need to jam with him or win him over or make him love me as his own or even push to get a picture. As much as I would have loved a portrait and to have a proper exchange, it was enough to be apart and get that pat on my back.
The night ultimately ended back at the hotel. I had roused my friends to party on since my mood was gleeful now. I sang and ordered Jameson and was the first to pass out. Davide Rossi was turned onto the idea of the old American pastime of dipping a sleeping persons hand into warm water to make them wet the bed by No Doubt’s horn player Steven Bradley and I was to be the volunteer. I did not wet the bed though it wouldn’t bother me if I had. I was in fact dreaming though, of being down by a river.. thanks Neil.
13 responses so far ↓
1 David // Oct 28, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Nice article, I like the part about you peeing down the river, I mean dreaming..
2 Allyson // Oct 28, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Nice story, Vic. Love your soul. xo
3 Doreen // Oct 28, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Very well done, Victoria. Neil’s a legend, would’ve loved to see him play again myself. And you’re not being a bit of a sap… just sincere.
4 Donnie // Oct 28, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Purely awesome, a great read that made me smile and reflect. Thank you.
5 DC Dew // Oct 28, 2009 at 6:00 pm
The immortal question: “Has your band begun to rust?” Keep on rockin’ Neil.
6 Jose // Oct 28, 2009 at 8:45 pm
This article is really great, I love the walk through a fans (extroardinary) experience. It makes me feel like I got to see the show, which is the whole point of an article like this, right? Hope to hear more from this writer.
7 Nat // Oct 28, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Rock and roll has been documented. Love the Bridge School Benefit, … It is the soul of music today in one magical wknd! Nice writing Miss Vic
8 Sheila // Oct 29, 2009 at 7:21 am
Well done! Victoria makes you feel like your there, watching thru her eyes and feeling thru her heart. Music and memories, Perfect!
9 Caitlin // Oct 30, 2009 at 3:27 am
Victoria…you my dear are a natural…love you
10 Josh Killion // Oct 30, 2009 at 4:58 pm
My god what an awesome article!
I was so impressed by the raw honesty and down-to-earth voice of the author. I wish more writers approached their work in such a fashion. Kudos to Miss Smith! I would love to see more aritcles from her.
11 NYer // Oct 31, 2009 at 6:54 am
Your story telling puts me in your shoes. A life of dreams come true.
Bravo Vic !!!
xoxo
12 emily // Nov 2, 2009 at 10:18 am
What a gem! a perfect glimpse into “the place to be.” I’m as fascinated by the writer’s take as I am by the artists I adore. Thanks Victoria Smith! Oh, and nice photos! Can we be friends??
13 tk // Nov 8, 2009 at 1:34 pm
neil’s the real mccoy. he writes “right now” and always has… not a greatest hits coaster… he still has plenty to say and still does. thanks for covering this in the fine way that you did. last paragraph strangely reminiscent of last paragraph in Hemingway’s “The Old Man and the Sea”… seems like dreams are places we usually want to go most of the time we are awake…!
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