canada.gif

gb.gif

de.gif

us.gif
Neil Young's new release ""World Record" w/ Crazy Horse is now available for pre-order. Order here
(Please shop locally & independently. But if you can't, we appreciate your supporting Thrasher's Wheat by clicking this link or YOUR COUNTRY's FLAG. Thank you!!!)
ADVERTISEMENT
<-Older Posts Blog Home Newer Posts->

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

20th Anniversary of Saturday Night Live Performance of "Rockin' In The Free World"

Saturday Night Live Neil Young Rockin

Twenty years ago today, on September 30, 1989, Neil Young served notice that he was back with a vengeance with his legendary performance of Rockin' In The Free World on Saturday Night Live. There are many, many defining moments in Neil Young's career. His appearance on SNL was another such occasion.

Considered to be one of the most intense live television studio performances ever, Young seemed possessed as he throttled his Les Paul guitar and shredded its strings before the audience. Wearing a Elvis Presley T-shirt, Young seemed to be bridging his 1970's classic "Hey, Hey, My, My" with the lyrics "The King [Elvis] is gone but not forgotten, this is the story of Johnny Rotten" with the end of the 1980's and the impending advent of the grunge-alternative music explosion.

Later, Young commented that he worked with a trainer before going onstage to work himself up to the encore intensity level when he normally performs the song after 2 hours on stage. Neil came on the set as if he had just performed the concert of his life and went from there. The song was selected as one of the best of Saturday Night Live musical performances of all time in broadcasts later in the 1990's for the 25th anniversary.

Critics were ecstatic about Young's return to form based on just the single broadcast and it marked a critical turning point in Neil's career. Jimmy McDonough writes in a Village Voice interview:
With the September 30 appearance on Saturday Night Live, Young arrested any signs of rust - at least for the moment. Backed by Charlie Drayton, Steve Jordan, and longtime sideman Frank 'Poncho' Sampedro - a new band Young's tentatively calling Young, CS&P - he was all over the stage, jumping on the drum stand, lunging out of camera range, whipping off earsplitting solos that sounded like falling power lines. It was the loudest thing I've ever heard on TV, the lyrics to 'Rockin' in the Free World' barely audible. This is easily his best band since Crazy Horse.

Just the look on his face was enough. He really seemed insane.
YOUNG: 'Yeah, well I was. I don't like TV. Never have. It always sucks and there's nothing you can do about it. You can't just walk on and do 'Rockin' in the Free World,' or you'll look like a fuckin' idiot. To perform that song the way it's supposed to be performed you have to be at peak blood level, everything has to be up, the machine has to be stoked. To do that I had to ignore Saturday Night Live completely. I had to pretend I wasn't there.'

So Young developed 'a brand new technique for doing TV' - a half-hour before going on he worked out with his trainer, lifting weights and doing calisthenics to get himself wired.

Video of the performance was once widely available on YouTube however -- as the corporate grip continues to tighten on the Internet -- it is no longer available. Somehow though, the 2nd song performed that night "No More" is available on YouTube... for now.



Thanks Chris for anniversay reminder! Also, thanks Josh & Burnzy for links!

In the meantime, check out this review of the first concert performance of “Rockin’ In The Free World” in Seattle on February 21, 1989 by Chris Horn.

Labels: , , ,


17 Comments:

At 9/29/2009 11:47:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks Thrasher for remembering this amazing milestone.

I can remember it like it was yesterday. Watching it in Ann Arbor with other college kids before heading out to party. Many though Neil was an old geezer even back then and after the SNL gig things changed.

 
At 9/30/2009 02:05:00 AM, Blogger J Neo Marvin said...

20 years? That was a crucial turnaround for many of us. I can't be the only one who saw that and went, "whoa, I'd better start paying attention to Neil young again!"

 
At 9/30/2009 02:12:00 AM, Blogger Unknown said...

http://en.sevenload.com/videos/USMENud-Neil-Young-Rockin-In-The-Free-World-Live-SNL-1989

Baconus

 
At 9/30/2009 09:06:00 AM, Blogger Burnzy said...

Nice summary, but here's the video for those who haven't seen it. A quick Google Video search will get you anything:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7luq7_neil-young-rockin-in-the-free-world_music

 
At 9/30/2009 10:53:00 AM, Anonymous set list thief said...

Jeez, who are those guys? They're not bad.

Heh, I remember thinking after watching that performance that this was a Neil none of us had ever seen before. Playing with two Black guys, bumping into each other like it's some kind of mosh pit, and what's going on with Neil's hair?

Remember, grunge was just around the corner, Nirvana and Pearl Jam were about to take off, and Neiler was serving notice to the kids that he could still do it.

Oh yeah, and we owe it all to Elvis.

 
At 9/30/2009 01:16:00 PM, Blogger CCTB said...

That's Rockin'!

 
At 9/30/2009 02:32:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This ryhtmic section is fuckin awesome. I 'm a big big fan of Crazy Horse, but I always thought that RITFW needed some speed like this version.
juliett

 
At 9/30/2009 08:20:00 PM, Anonymous jobu said...

I started learning to play guitar the very next day...

 
At 10/01/2009 12:48:00 AM, Anonymous expecting2fly said...

Okay, let me get this straight. This video on TV with pretty much MP3 audio quality at the time got people back into Neil because....oh, I don't know....he played a great song with passion and we saw right through the media used!!! Omigosh.

I am so not worthy of Blu-Ray....

BTW, love Neil's '89 SNL appearance. Love Thrasher's Wheat as well.

Mike
Expecting To Fly

 
At 10/01/2009 02:00:00 AM, Anonymous dr dip said...

Dear fellow Wheaties,
Just want to take this opportunity to thank you for your entertainment and sharing your Neil knowledge with me over the last year that I have been coming to the "wheat".

I've really enjoyed the comments and debates on the different threads that are thrown up.

Like Liza, I lost my best friend last May, so I can really relate to her hurt.

You guys are the "family" that I've lost and I love the compassion you have for Neil, be it negative or positive and the comeraderie that is shared.

I will really miss this.

Thrash, I'm sorry that I rub you up the wrong way. This is my personality and no matter how much I try to "conform" to be your ideal Neil blogger I just can't seem to "anal"ise my comments.

If I have offended anyone with any thing that I have said over the last year, believe me it was never deliberate or intentional its just me I'm afraid and I apologise for that.

Well, its time to move on and go to a place where I can find peace with myself.

If we meet up, we'll put on Neil together and savour the moment.

I always enjoy Neil when I'm down.

Keep on rockin in the "t" world

Luv Dip

 
At 10/01/2009 07:24:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

isn't there a version where Neil kicks poncho...or is this the unedited version?

 
At 10/01/2009 09:21:00 AM, Anonymous SONY said...

Dr. Dip -

In the immortal words of my most recent song...

"I can be your friend -
til the end"


SONY

 
At 10/01/2009 09:36:00 AM, Blogger Tweck9 said...

Dip, your battles with Thrasher are half the fun here. What are we gonna do without a contrarian on board? Sometimes it really helps the mood; no matter how often you annoy Thrasher, I think your contributions fit quite nicely.

 
At 10/01/2009 12:26:00 PM, Blogger thrasher said...

Matt,

Sockpuppets are banned from commenting.

sorry.

peace

 
At 10/01/2009 03:15:00 PM, Anonymous SONY said...

T-
Ya know, I hate punishing my kids when they don't behave too. But.......

 
At 10/02/2009 01:07:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Trasher
u are a sad silly man. you CENSOR!

what would your God (Neil) think?

 
At 1/08/2010 07:40:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I always like it when he pulls the Bigsby and breaks all the strings at the end of the song.

 

Post a Comment

<< Home

<-Older Posts Blog Home Newer Posts->

Willie for a Nobel!
#Willie4Nobel

Willie Nelson for Nobel Peace Prize
for Farm Aid and his work on
alternative fuels, and world peace initiatives.

farm-aid-logo.gif
Farm Aid

Go Farmers Markets!


"In the >field< of opportunity
It's plowin' time again."

SUPPORTER
logo
Silverline Communications

(Home of the FarmAidians)
Tecumseh, Ontario, Canada
(519) 737-7979



This blog supports free speech!


Demand justice for Aaron:
Support "Aaron's Law" and inquiry into his prosecution

(... he didn't kill himself either...) #AaronDidntKillHimself

Induct Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame



Please Help Support Independent Media &
Non-Corporate Advertising
This Blog's For You!


The Hypocrisy of the Mainstream Media

It's Been Called The
"Missing Link" in the Ditch Trilogy

time-fades-away-banner2a

Sign the Release "Time Fades Away" Petition
Join The 10,000+ Who Have Already Signed


broken-arrow-mag-new-logo.gif

Neil Young Appreciation Society


sugar-mtn-logo.jpg
Sugar Mountain

Neil Young Setlists
rust-radio-new
Rust Radio


bumpersticker-neil-concert.jpg


i-l-ove-neil-young-sm.jpg
Bands Covering Neil Young songs


bumper-sticker-live-music-better-sm.jpg
LIVE MUSIC IS BETTER


ny-times-logo.jpg
Official Neil Young News Site

bridgeschool_logo
The Bridge School


The Bridge School Concerts
25th Anniversary Edition

**100% of Proceeds to Benefit Bridge School***

linda-eastman-neil-young-sugar-mtn-sm.jpg
The Essential Neil Young

neil-young-sleeveless.jpg
Fans Favorite Neil Albums

neil-young-heart-of-gold-film-still
Top 50 MP3
Neil Young Song Downloads


Top 10 Best Selling Neil Albums Today
amazon-neil-store.GIF
Support Thrasher's Wheat
via Purchases from:
United States - Amazon.com us.gif
Canada - Amazon.ca canada.gif
United Kingdom - Amazon.uk gb.gif
Germany - Amazon.de de.gif



Neil Young Songbook Project

In the fields of wheat

"Children of Destiny" will NOT be harvested
However, the chaff will be burned by unquenchable fire

Neil Young + Promise of the Real

Europe 2016 Tour Dates



2015 Rebel Content Tour


Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Alchemy Concert Tour Reviews

Fall 2012 N. America Tour
Spring 2013 Australia/New Zealand Tour
Summer 2013 Europe Tour

Europe Summer 2014 Concert Tour
Neil Young & Crazy Horse

Thrasher's Wheat Radio Supporters Go To Europe

jttp-film-poster-sm.jpg
Neil Young Films

musicares-neil-young-2010.jpg
2010 MusiCares Honors Neil Young

Features Elvis Costello, Crosby Stills & Nash, Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban, Ben Harper, Elton John, Norah Jones, Lady Antebellum, Dave Matthews, James Taylor, Keith Urban, and others.
Proceeds from sales go to MusiCares,
which helps musicians in need of
financial and medical assistance.

live-rust-promo-poster.jpg


"There's more to the picture
Than meets the eye"

#BigShift

trans-promo



Neil Young FAQ:
Everything Left to Know About the Iconic and Mercurial Rocker
"an indispensable reference"

paul-neil-bridge2004-sat-sfc-kkomenich-sm.jpg
Paul McCartney and Neil Young

woodstock-poster.jpg


"You can make a difference
If you really a try"

lennon_peace_liberty
John Lennon and Neil Young


"hailed by fans as a wonderful read"

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young:
csny-1974-poster.jpg
The Supergroup of the 20th Century



Director Jonathan Demme's Exquisite film "Heart of Gold"

eddie & neil
Eddie Vedder and Neil Young

buffalo-springfield-poster.jpg
Revisiting The Significance of
The Buffalo Springfield


"The revolution will not be televised"
... it will be blogged, streamed,
tweeted, shared and liked
The Embarrassment of Mainstream Media

Turn Off Your TV & Have A Life


"Everything Is Bullshit" +
"Turn Off The News"
Turn Off the News (Build a Garden)


Neil Young 2016 Year in Review:
The Year of The Wheat

Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain and Neil Young

Neil Young's Feedback:
An Acquired Taste?

Young Neil: The Sugar Mountain Years
by Rustie Sharry "Keepin' Jive Alive in T.O." Wilson

"the definitive source of Neil Young's formative childhood years in Canada"

neil & joni
Joni Mitchell & Neil Young

europe 1987.jpg


dylan-young-crop
Bob and Neil

weld
So Who Really Was "The Godfather of Grunge"?


Four Dead in Ohio
kent state
So What Really Happened at Kent State?


The Four Dead in Ohio



May The FOUR Be With You #MayThe4thBeWithYou

concert-pass-europe-2003-solo.jpg


dissent is not treason
Dissent is the highest form of patriotism

Rockin' In The Free World



Sing Truth to Power!
When Neil Young Speaks Truth To Power,
The World Listens

emmylou-harris-neil-young-0305-crop
Emmylou Harris and Neil Young

wilco-062305-wide-background.jpg
Wilco and Neil Young

bluenotes-pass-young88crewlam-sm.jpg

bruce-springsteen-neil-young-bridge-oct-1986.jpg
Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young

europe87concertpass


elton-john-neil-young-crop-sm.jpg
Elton John and Neil Young

ronnie-vanzant-neil.jpg
Lynyrd Skynyrd and Neil Young

+

The Meaning of "Sweet Home Alabama" Lyrics


Neil Young Nation -
"The definitive Neil Young fan book"

powderfinger
"Powderfinger"
What does the song mean?

Random Neil Young Link of the Moment
neil-sad.jpg

Bonnie Raitt and Neil Young

Wisconsin-solidarity.jpg
I'm Proud to Be A Union Man

UNITED WE STAND/DIVIDED WE FALL


When Neil Young is Playing,
You Shut the Fuck Up


Class War:
They Started It and We'll Finish It...
peacefully

A battle raged on the open page...
No Fear, No Surrender. Courage
WE WON'T BACK DOWN. NEVER STAND DOWN.

"What if Al Qaeda blew up the levees?"
Full Disclousre Now


"I've Got The Revolution Blues"

Willie Nelson & Neil Young
Willie Nelson for Nobel Peace Prize



John Mellencamp:
Why Willie Deserves a Nobel

willie_picnic_poster_070503


BOYCOTT HATE

Love and Only Love

"Thinking about what a friend had said,
I was hoping it was a lie"


We're All On
A Journey Through the Past

Neil Young's Moon Songs
Tell Us The F'n TRUTH
(we can handle it... try us)

Freedom:
freedom-video
Does Anything Else Really Matter?

"Nobody's free until everybody's free."
~~ Fannie Lou Hamer

Here Comes "The Big Shift"
#BigShift

Maybe everything you think you know is wrong? NOTHING IS AS IT SEEMS
"It's all illusion anyway."

Propaganda = Mind Control
NOTHING IS AS IT SEEMS
Guess what?
"Symbols Rule the World, not Words or Laws."
... and symbolism will be their downfall...

Brighter Planet's 350 Challenge
Be The Rain, Be The Change

csny2k-plate.jpg
the truth will set you free
This Machine Kills Fascists


"Children of Destiny" - THE Part of THE Solution

(Frame from Official Music Video)

war is not the answer
yet we are
Still Living With War

"greed is NOT good"
Hey Big Brother!
Stop Spying On Us!
Civic Duty Is Not Terrorism

The Achilles Heel
#NullifyNSA
Orwell (and Grandpa) Was Right
“Emancipate yourself from mental slavery.”
~~ Bob Marley

The Essence of "The Doubters"



Yes, There's Definitely A Hole in The Sky


Even Though The Music Died 50+ Years Ago
,
Open Up the "Tired Eyes" & Wake up!
"consciousness is near"
What's So Funny About
Peace, Love, & Understanding & Music?

churchsign

Show Me A Sign

"Who is John Galt?"
To ask the question is to know the answer

"Whosoever shall give up his liberty for a temporary security
deserves neither liberty nor safety."

~~ Benjamin Franklin

Words

(Between the lines of age)


And in the end, the love you take
Is equal to the love you make

~~ John & Paul

the zen of neil
the power of rust
the karma of the wheat

~Om-Shanti.

Namaste