Fortunately for him, his early fame and success gave him the leeway and platform to indulge. He could give free rein to his creative juices, experiment and change with little regard to pressures from labels or financial concerns, his bands, or even his fans. He had a licence to free his imagination and that’s what he did. He went with that wayward wind wherever it took him.
Neil is the ultimate innovator whether in the field of folk, blues, country, grunge, rock ‘n’ roll, R&B, punk or electronic; he’s not only tried it but made it his own in the process. That’s the difference between an innovator and an imitator.
Part of his unique personality can be traced back to his roots. He’s Canadian, not American, and I think that shows. He was born in Toronto in 1945, but brought up in a sleepy town in Ontario called Omemee, before relocating to Winnipeg and then back to Toronto. Following the break-up of his parents, life was unsettled. That Canadian upbringing, the loss of a father in the house, coupled with the presence of a strong, sometimes overpowering mother, helped shape him and made him what he is. The friendships, attitudes and ethos, entailed in growing up north of the border mould a different type of person and his father leaving made him more introspective, but also had the effect of giving him more freedom than he would have had if he’d stayed. His mother Rassy, though alcoholic and domineering, gave him the almost unlimited freedom and support that helped him develop.
In the UK
Neil Young 1963 to 1970: Every Album, Every Song: Amazon.co.uk: Opher Goodwin: 9781789522983: Books
In the USA
Neil Young 1963 to 1970: every album, every song: Goodwin, Opher: 9781789522983: Amazon.com: Books
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