k. d. lang Sings "Helpless" for Neil at Junos
k.d. lang sings "Helpless" at Junos - Getty Images photo by Donald Weber
During last night's broadcast of the Canadian Juno Awards ceremony, k. d. lang sang "Helpless" for Neil Young, who is recovering from brain surgery.
Before performing the song, according to the Vancouver Sun, lang said:
"If there is a beacon or a bastion of an artist who has maintained his integrity and his uncompromising vision and purity . . . it is Neil Young.
So Neil, I sing this for you. Heal fast my friend."
(k.d. covered Young's "After The Goldrush" on her last album 'Hymns of the 49th Parallel'.)
Meanwhile, Neil is recuperating in New York City and watched the show at the nearby Canadian consulate.
John Brunton, executive producer of the Juno telecast, said he had spoken to someone at the consulate who reported that Young was visibly moved by the tribute. From Toronto Sun, Brunton said:
"He actually teared up and thought it was one of the most beatufil things.
And he went to the piano -- there's a piano in the house -- and between commercial breaks, he was playing the piano. He watched the entire show. He thought the show was fantastic."
More good news on Neil's recovery from ABC News which reports that Neil is now out of hospital and expected to make a full recovery after undergoing surgery in New York for a potentially fatal brain aneurism, his publicist says.
Agent Bob Merlis says:
"He's out of the hospital and recuperating in New York. Afterwards, Young plans to go to Nashville to finish some recording work."
Well, that's our Neil. It's all about the music.
More on Neil Young's surgery, health and worldwide reaction. Also, drop Neil a get well note.
by thrasher@PermaLink: 4/04/2005 09:58:00 PM
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Hey dear pal,how about the worst News or Rumor?!I mean that our Neil has a tumor in his head somewhere...Do ya know any thing about it?!
From the Toronto Sun:
NEIL YOUNG didn't make it to last night's Juno Awards, but he did get to watch them. The 59-year-old folk-rock icon, who is recuperating from brain aneurysm surgery last Tuesday, watched the Juno show from the private home of Pamela Wallin, the Canadian Consul General to New York City.
"She's got a satellite dish, it's on Canadian soil," said Junos executive producer John Brunton, backstage after the show ended.
"And as he watched the show, when k.d.(lang) came on and sang Helpless, I'm told from the witnesses there, that he actually teared up and thought it was one of the most beautiful things.
"And he went to the piano -- there's a piano in the house -- and between commercial breaks, he was playing the piano. He watched the entire show. He thought the show was fantastic."
Brunton said the decision to get lang to sing Young's Helpless was made just hours after he had to bow out of his scheduled Juno performance late Friday afternoon.
Randy Bachman, who was instrumental in getting Young to agree to perform at the Junos in the first place, says he, too, got emotional during lang's performance.
"We were all singing along and were kind of verklempt and everything," Bachman said backstage.
Naturally, many musicians attending Juno weekend were disappointed about Young's last-minute no-show, but understood.
"Neil Young's a guy I felt like I've met before because I've listened and loved his music," said Sarah Harmer, backstage.
Young vowed back in 1982 that he would perform at the Junos should they ever be held in Winnipeg, where he spent part of his formative music years.
Bless you Neil, Bless you k.d.
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