Neil Young's tour in 1973 was a 65 date journey across America, marked by the sadness of losing guitarist Danny Whitten to a drug overdose.
"Time Fades Away" was to include Danny Whitten in the backup band but as the story goes, he was fired during a night of rehearsals for the tour. His death happened the same night.
Neil Young reportedly felt responsible in part for Whitten's heroin overdose and it lent a sadness to the tour that permeated everything. Young's biographers note that the music produced on the tour was some of the singer/songwriter's most compelling work.
Some have characterized the three-month tour as an exorcism of sorts that played out through the musical renditions of Young's songs.
Along for the ride, was acclaimed photographer Joe Sia, whose black and white stills became classics and must-haves for Young fans as well as rock n' roll historians.
Wolfgang's Vault, a music site dedicated to serving those who long for classic rock memorabilia, is selling one of the most famous of Sia's images taken during "Time Fades Away"'s trip across America.
The photo is described as capturing one of many stark images of Young's angst in the first weeks on the road. It was taken on January 5, 1973 at New Haven Veterans Memorial Coliseum, in New Haven, Connecticut.
The Vault has obtained multiple copies of the photo in 16 x 20 size and is offering them for sale this weekend, for as long as their quantity lasts. It is shot from the right side of Young with Sia positioned directly in front of the stage.
Young is captured with his acoustic guitar, his long hair hanging over his flannel shirt in mid-song. Neil Young collectors have branded the song collection from the tour, released as a live album as the "holy grail", according to Collectors Music Reviews.
"When it was released in October 1973 critics lavished praise for its sheer naked emotion and the gall that precedes it. Young’s voice is weak leading him to enlist David Crosby and Graham Nash to lend backing vocals. And the context of the tour, following the overdose death of Crazy Horse guitarist Danny Whitten, was the impetus for frayed nerves and songs dripping with depression and cynicism."
Young was quoted on the album, admitting it's a portrait of an artist in pain. "I think it’s the worst record I ever made – but as a documentary of what was happening to me, it was a great record."
Photo can be viewed and is available at Wolfgang Vault's site
Image above: : Wikimedia Commons/Mark Estabrook Neil Young circa 1976
Comment and add to the story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.
