The state of Neil Young & Crazy Horse: Touring halted, but new album released

Neil Young announced the cancellation of his ongoing tour with Crazy Horse earlier this year in June, citing illness within the group. The tour had been progressing well, with enthusiastic audiences and memorable performances, but illness struck some members of the band after their last show on May 22 at Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan. While Young did not reveal if he was among the sick, the unspecified health issues led to the cancellation of multiple dates across Canada and the United States.

The cancellations affected seven Canadian shows scheduled for July and three U.S. performances set for late September. These included high-profile appearances at the Hollywood Bowl, the Eddie Vedder-driven Ohana Festival in southern California, and Kentucky's Bourbon & Beyond Festival. A representative for the Ohana Fest confirmed that the festival was actively searching for a replacement to fill Young's Saturday night headlining slot (they ultimately replaced Neil Young with Sting at the event).

Similarly, Sting is replacing Neil Young at the Bourbon & Beyond Festival. The unexpected break from touring has disappointed fans who had been eagerly anticipating these shows. Young expressed regret in a statement posted on his website, emphasizing the importance of health and the need for the band members to fully recover before returning to the stage.

The rocker and activist assured fans that they would try to reschedule some of the missed dates once the band is ready to perform again. "We know many of you made travel plans and we apologize for the inconvenience. Thanks for your understanding and patience," the "Godfather of Grunge" wrote. While Neil Young did not specify which band members were affected, Crazy Horse's rhythm section, comprised of bassist Billy Talbot and drummer Ralph Molina, both 80 years old, appeared to struggle with the physical demands of their two-hour set during a recent concert in New York (Frank "Poncho" Sampedro, 75, retired from the band due to arthritis).

Observers noted that many of the songs were played at slower tempos than their original studio versions, possibly indicating the challenges the band was facing.

It's not all bad news for Neil Young & Crazy Horse

For fans disappointed by the tour's abrupt pause, there is some consolation in the form of new music — well, sort of, as it's a compilation album. Young and Crazy Horse have released Early Daze, a collection of previously unreleased recordings from 1969.

The album offers a glimpse into the early days of the band, known for their raw, unpolished sound that has become a hallmark of Young's career. Crazy Horse has been Neil Young's most frequent backing band since 1969, known for their distinctively loose, almost chaotic style that complements Young's own unpredictable and improvisational approach to rock music. The band's current lineup features Neil Young, drummer Ralph Molina, bassist Billy Talbot, and guitarist Micah Nelson, who is the son of country legend Willie Nelson and joined the band in recent years.

The group has been a cornerstone of Young's music, contributing to classic albums like Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, Rust Never Sleeps, and Ragged Glory. As fans await further updates on the tour's status, the bond between Neil Young and Crazy Horse remains as strong as ever, with the group's legacy continuing to grow through both their live performances and studio releases.

The current situation is a reminder of the physical demands of touring, especially for veteran musicians like Young and his bandmates, who have been performing together for over five decades. Despite the setbacks, the lasting popularity of Neil Young and Crazy Horse is a testament to their huge impact on rock music.