Neil Young, like Jimi Hendrix, is credited with pushing the guitar into new, artistically viable realms beyond its use as a tool for virtuosos. Throughout his career, Young has established himself as one of the greatest songwriters of all time. He’s also recognized as one of the most influential guitarists. Sonic Youth, Nirvana, and Oasis would not exist without him, proving how far-reaching his influence is. He brought expressionist energy to the six-string.
Called appropriately “The Godfather of Grunge,” Young’s guitar work laid the groundwork for the vast field of alternative rock. His work on the 1969 single “Everbody Knows This Is Nowhere” was piercing, emotional, and gritty compared to anything listeners had heard before. It had a sharp, discordant edge that even challenged Hendrix. This set the stage for the plethora of bands that would emerge a decade later and beyond. They pushed the guitar and maintained its cultural relevance.
Neil Young is more knowledgeable than most about what makes a brilliant guitarist because he is an accomplished player who grew up during the Guitar Hero era. Throughout his career, he has talked about the works of numerous people, including bandmates like the late Danny Whitten. He also mentions those who have inspired him, like Scottish folk icon Bert Jansch. He has also defined what it takes to be a truly great guitarist.
Because of his prominence, Neil Young has also come into contact with many other greats of his generation, such as the English blues rock legend Eric Clapton. Despite differences in technique, Clapton’s expressive style is stylistically related to his own. Notoriety has it that the two even performed together in a 1992 all-star event honoring Bob Dylan’s debut album’s 30th anniversary. Among them was a powerful rendition of “My Back Pages” with Dylan, George Harrison, Tom Petty, and Roger McGuinn.
Speaking to Canada’s MuchMusic a few years later, in 1996, Young discussed Clapton’s genius. He insisted that his playing reminded him of his former bandmate from Buffalo Springfield and longtime friend, Stephen Stills. Notably, Stills is a superb guitarist who doesn’t receive the recognition he so richly merits. “He was a major contributor to both CSN and CSNY, having played multiple instruments on the trio’s debut. Additionally, he was the driving force behind the brief-lived Californian group.”
“I love the way Eric plays; we played a couple of tunes right at that show that I got off playing with him,” Young remarked of Clapton. Because of his skill and artistry, he reminded me of Stills when we were playing in Buffalo Springfield. He was also very good and could play anything you could ask him to, which made him enjoyable to play with.
After that, the discussion quickly moved past Clapton’s outstanding compositions and into the renownedly complicated partnership between Stills and Young. “When asked if he thought that creative conflict was essential to producing great art, Young responded. He mentioned that he and his Texan counterpart would always have disagreements because they are similar to brothers.” “Even though they occasionally surprise one another with their behavior, they are best friends. They have experienced far more important things than just writing music together.”
