Neil Young on Meeting Joni Mitchell For The First Time 

The secret to keeping a long term friendship is to never find yourself wondering what is so and so doing. Pick up the phone at least a couple of times a year and talk. Life long friendships are not an accident. They happen because two people put an effort into maintaining it.

Neil’s so great. Chick Roberts who Neil mentions is my father! He’s still around, 90 years old. Confirms Neils story. Great memory Neil, thank you for appreciating my fathers support of your song Sugar Mountain, he was knocked out by your song. My Dad heard Neil play it at The Riverboat in Toronto at a 1965 “Hotennany” night. Artists got $10 to play three or four songs known as "Hotennany scale". The gigs were put on by the guild of Canadian Folk Artists in Toronto’s “Yorkville Village” (our 60’s folk scene, Canada’s Greenwich Village). Neil wasn't known then in Toronto, he was hanging in the village trying to break in as solo act. Neil likely met Chick/The Dirty Shames in Winnipeg at the Fourth Dimension. Toronto’s The Dirty Shames in 1966 signed with Albert Grossman’s office in New York City, recorded a few singles, Warhol booked them to open for the Velvet Underground at the Dom. m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02Lg7scEkdXZRxWMWzF5DWVLo6KNm5vLy4ckdsMVEZz1j1riGmEBsximpYH5yVkxAQl&id=100070045892945&mibextid=Nif5oz

I am in my seventies now they were my favourite two artists in the late sixties and still are, legends does not begin to describe them

Joni Mitchell wrote some of the greatest poetic lyrics. Just insanely empathetic and talented.

I love the music of both Neil and Joni. I could listen to them indefinitely. I'm so glad I grew up at exactly the right time musically. These two have really influenced my own music.

"Sugar Mountain" is the quintessential Neil Young song. It's all there. I can understand hearing it, and being able to envisage his entire career.

I love you Neil Young even more from this honour of Joni and your wife..thankyou for opening my spirit with yout music when I was a teenager

Neil and Joni . . .the combined talent is mind boggling. Would have been a dream to see them doing a joint acoustic gig in their prime.

Neil has spoken about this before; he wondered about his talent, and worried about "How Good Was He?" And she told him to write more, and write all the time; because not all of his efforts were going to be Gems. He mentioned that he met Leonard Cohen a while later - but from NOW, it would be around the same time - and Leonard Cohen told him much the same thing; "Keep Writing!"

Joni is an incredible artist and so are you Neil!

Joni's body of work is so incredible. Very proud that she is Canadian, and thankful that she has recovered from her illness and is still with us.

Joni is definitely THE greatest artist, musician and poet ever! Grew up with her starting early 70’s. I was 16. My children grew up listening to Joni.

Neil's story about how his playing "Sugar Mountain" and Joni responded by writing "Circle Game" reminds me of a story told by Graham Nash recounting how he, just after the shootings at Kent State, and Neil Young got Crosby and Stills to all meet up at the Record Plant in Sausalito, Ca. and did "Ohio" and "Find The Cost of Freedom" as side A & B on a record released 2 days later. The song, "Ohio" 'came to' Neil when he, having just heard about the shootings, walked into a nearby trail with his guitar and when he returned, said "let's get those guys and record this". Everyone in this story knows how to live in the moment, which at times is not an easy thing to do, but there may be help in creative intent.

I met Joni in Boulder Colorado in the spring time of 1976 when she was traveling through Canada and the USA getting inspirations for Hejira. I was in a funky little natural foods store on Broadway Avenue. A woman walked right up to me who looked exactly like Joni Mitchell. Besides being shockingly beautiful, she was super warm, friendly and flirtatious. I was just a young college hippie kind of guy who was totally in love with Joni. I was totally tongue-tied and geeked-out that she could possibly be Joni Mitchell. She kept trying to make small talk and be friendly to engage me conversation but all I could do is stutter and say goofy things. She kept saying that I looked like someone she knew and I kept saying she was mistaken. Finally, she gave me one last chance. She said: "Are you sure you don't know me?" I said: "Yes, you are mistaken." Then she just killed me dead when she said: "Well, that's just too bad then." She turned and walked away out the door of the natural foods store. I followed her discreetly for several blooks on Broadway and I convinced myself I was just imagining she was Joni. When I got home from that dream-like encounter the phone rang and a friend who was a friend of Robben Ford said: "Joni Mitchell is in town visiting Robben Ford." But anyway, I do feel lucky that I got to feel and experience how beautiful she is ,and how warm and flirtatious she could be to just some young hippie college dude.

Here’s a fun memory for those of you who grew up around Philadelphia. I used to listen to Gene Shay on his Saturday morning show when I was a 15 year old cadet out at Valley Forge Military Academy in the 1960s…..and I remember Gene playing Sugar Mountain….and the very first time I heard it, it was like a musical transformative experience…..and then to hear this story now from Neil years later, after my radio career….after being Gene Shay’s producer and alternate host for several years…. to know that Joni wrote Circle Game after hearing Neil play Sugar Mountain……. is a double revelation.

There are great artists...and then there are artists who are true gifts to the world. Neil Young and Joni Mitchell are among the few "true gifts". In this brief video, Neil's comments about lasting friendships is a heartwarming example of why his presence is such a true gift to many of us.

Thank you for posting this. I have always loved hearing stories over the years of his friendship with Joni Mitchell. You listen to him and you hear a true human being. Nothing fake, nothing put on.

Good on Neil for noting what I think is obvious... Joni is THE greatest singer/songwriter/musician of the past 60 yrs (too bad Robert Zimmerman!), in multiple genres ranging from folk and pop to world and jazz... Thanks very much Joni, for being the soundtrack of so many of our lives!

Wow! Is Neil Young ever in great shape. Hats off to you, man! I’ve never heard him or seen him look so clear-eyed and responsive. I’ll always think of Neil Young when I remember my Grade 10 & 11 years (my rebellious years, actually). Glad for CBC Radio & for when the Canadian content rule kicked in. The Great, Neil Young. So glad to hear him share his memories with us now. How cool is that?

You feel lucky Neil ? well I feel lucky to have your music in my life for 45+ years , and of course Joni too who shares the same birthday as me .

Neil plays harmonica on Furry Sings the Blues. The first few times I heard it, I thought "what is he doing doodling around there". But it's come to be an integral part for me of one of my favorite songs on my favorite Joni album.

High praise indeed from Neil in regards to Joni. I love hearing men revere their contemporaries. Heartwarming. Harvest Moon, my all time favourite. x

Mr. Young, you are very special as well. When I was a teenager, you were the world to me, your father was the world to my father. Lol. Great to see that you are well. Thank you for a life time of specialness!!!!

Amazing talent and intellect came from Canada. Joni, Neil, and many, many more great musicians came from the North. Their songwriting unmatched. Deep. Thoughtful. Introspective. Enjoyable. !!

Two incredible musicians!!

Winnipeg back then was a deep well of musical talent. All high school, jr high, community club, church hall and entertainment club dances had live bands. There were so many that everyone knew someone who played in a band it seemed. The only time you heard recorded music was at home or in a record shop. Many of those bands and musicians went on to future fame. No wonder Winnipeg was called the 'Liverpool' of Canada.

"I showed her a song. After listening to it, she wrote Circle Game." You know how Brian Wilson listened to Rubber Soul and then immediately wrote God Only Knows? This feels like the Canadian version of that.

I love both these artists Neil and Joni study their songs play them. Blows me away that they influenced each other like this

JONI, NEIL, LEONARD, GORDON ARE TITANS OF WRITING!! MY GOD!!

Joni, Neil and Leonard were above the rest. Thank you for ever, Canada!!!

These are some of the greatest artists of our generation

Neil and Joni two of the greatest artist of our time seen Neil a couple of times in Australia but missed Joni when she was there in l think 1986 at the Sydney Opera house found out years later ld missed out on probably the artist l wanted to see the most Dylan Neil and Joni were the main sound track to my life as a teenager of the 70s when music was real 👀👁

Oh Canada we are so blessed with all the wonderful gifts you give the world Joni and you are the tops for me because of your loving of life and art Thank you

you folks Neal were ahead of the game brother the photo of jonnie looking out the window oh my what a beauty

FUNFACT: "Mandolin" Terry #RIP, who when asked, told NEIL he'd "never make it", lived with us here in Korea, before returning 2 Kanada a few years ago, & passing away. Lack of initial encouragement aside, pretty sure they kept in touch throughout the years. His wife, meanwhile, told us she gave Joni her first guitar. So, in this sense, it really a SMALL world :) p.s Aye. SUGAR MOUNTAIN is indeed a song which will LONG continue 2 stand the test of time.

Every member of CSNY have praised Joni Mitchell.

Love Neil Young. ❤️🇨🇦❤️🇨🇦

We never saw the top stars of the 60's/70's unless live. They were albums and radio. It has been great to see the social media revival!

Nice clip nice man (Neil) THANKS! Good to hear such positive thoughts & words from him

two of the top five songwriters of all time and they're both from canada...

Beautiful moment. I love your expression of awe and wonder as you get this slice of history directly from Neal. BTW, I took the photo of Joni you use in the thumbnail; 1974, Universal Amphitheater, Court and Spark Tour. - Paul

The more seasoned the hero the more humble it seems. Love those Canadian icons

Neil should stick to advising us all on masks and vaccines.

Just not a fan of this interviewer. Too gushy at times and almost inarticulate at others. He already knows the stories he's asking Neil to recount (or he hasn't done his homework, as those stories have been told many times) and yet has this "Oh, wow!" look on his face when Neil tells the story, way too fake-awe from him about what he's hearing, unfortunately.

I am from Winnipeg. Love my city.

And Neil is one of our greatest artists.

The Song Woodstock Joni wrote that CSN&Y sang, is nothing short of a miracle song at the right time in our history. ❤

"Both sides now".... the quintessential poem/song about living and life

Aaaaaaaaaah. . . old man look at your grumpy life. Toy trains and reflecting on the past. Sheesh

Joni IS the most significant of that generation, the next, & the next...

These guys were so important / inspirational to loads of us , and as for joni i couldnt agree more . Ages ago i guy said to me about someones lyrics that they could be read like poetry.............for me thats Joni Mitchell , a talent that will never fade . Its great to see Neil Happy .

I can't think of any musical artists since my ears first opened up in the 1960s that I love, respect and admire more than Neil and Joni. How glorious would it be for a RU-vidr with clout to get them together to just have a recorded conversation for an hour or 10 while they are still with us.

Neil convering his arse by saying"...like my wife" haha. Keeps him out of trouble. :)

Oh my GOD his voice sounds like that of a young person- wow! Incredible genetics

What a memory. Neil recalled all of the details.

Wow, how lucky you are to speak with Neil Young and ask him such intelligent questions watching this give me the chills. Thank you.

Intuition and inspiration are the backbones of genius.

Winnipeg! I remember reading this book by a guy who grew up in Winnipeg. When he was a teenager he had a paper route and this one house always had nonstop guitar practice coming from it. He'd knock on the door, the guitar would stop, the door opens and this lanky long haired kid would say his mom wasn't home, and could he come back later to get the collection money? Then he'd close the door and the guitar would start again. This happened over and over. Turns out the kid was a young Neil Young, growing up on Grosvenor Avenue.

Same socks same top from the Rick Reubens and Zane Lowe interview...hahaha go Neil :D

Circle Game, man what a great song.

Neil Young ran into Joni. The eventual union of CSNY ( very short lived, not committed to it more than a Project interest) brought together David Crosby who dated Joni for a good while ... she broke it off ... met Graham Nash - Also CSN / CSNY member and lived with Joni for a time ... two very talented people in music ! Joni Mitchell can sing like a bird, compose like a Mozart .... play Guitar, Piano and sing songs so compelling, rich in flavor and flow one can only hang on in bliss. A rare talent.

Saw Joni at the second fret in Philadelphia in the sixties she was just so sweet and appeared so innocent with a little mini skirt and that great voice it was about the time songs for a seagull came out. I'm 76 now but it seems like it was just last week.

Young looks like a retired factory worker, from Brooklyn, in the 1950’s.

thanks, Neil, God bless(es) you...😇

I loved Neil's songs but now that he's gone apeshit woke, I never play his songs anymore. I know I should be able to seperate the two, but when you hear him rant insane things about people who just think differently from him, its impossible!! So sad the Old Man can't seem to look at his own life!!

There is just one Joni Mitchell. Nobody else will have her talents. She is such a remarkable artist. Each of lyrical and vocal qualities of her are rare to find in their own individual right; and there she is with both. I am still not talking about the command she has on playing multiple instruments and painting.

Dig... Joni, Neil, Zappa, Santana, McGuinn, Stills, Lee, Joplin... Yea, there are a lot of other greats from the east coast to San Fran that rocked the way, And they all came into our living rooms - Like soft molten asphalt erupting from Keef and Mick or The Rutles. There are tons of musical artists out there that sparked the world. They all need appreciation. Peace on earth.

Thanks for sharing this clip. Chick Roberts, who Neil mentions here, is still alive and well in Toronto. I interviewed him for my upcoming Yorkville book.

Legend! First single I ever bought: Cinnamon Girl/Sugar Mountain. Double A side!

🌹Ohh, ya'just touched my heart strings. I've been playing guitar since I was 12yo and the first song I learned to play by Neil Young was "Sugar Mountain" and the first song I learned to play by Joni Mitchell was "Both Sides Now". I♥️love "The Circle Game", played that game in circles. Joni's🖌🎨Artistry is as great as her musical talent. My Gen-Xer🖌🎨paints and is blown away by Joni's gifts, he never💭knew she was a musician before she was an🖌🎨Artist, I had to set him straight. 🤦🏻‍♀️Gen-Xers and Millenials are on my🤏🏻last-nerve, tbh. The🏫schools should be teaching music again, I don't know why music was ever taken out of the curriculum but I find it to be a damned🖤shame! I started playing Ukelele in Grade 5, my kids only know music history through me🤲🏻thanks to people like Joni and Neil. I'm no Neil Young or Joni Mitchell but I've been playing those songs for 40 years and will 'til my dying day. "Both Sides Now" was a prophecy to climate-change if you ask me. I believe both Neil and Joni to be the greatest musical Geniuses of the 20th and 21st century, making a positive impact on the music industry and raising up the level of🤲🏻humanity✍🏻written in both their lifetime's worth of🎶songs. 👏🏻Thanks for sharing. 🇨🇦✌🏻🎶♥️(+🇺🇦)✨🌎💫 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-yXr2EFomFkU.html

comparing Joni Mitchell to Daryll Hannah. Come on!! Plugging his midlife crisis wife

Confidence that knows no bounds can take a person a long way, while a normally talented person falls by the wayside riddled with doubt.

I think they also went through the same polio epidemic when they were young. Cheers.

Neil and Joni....ambassadors for big farma... take some more covid shots.... They lost all respect.

Beautiful Class act. 'One of the greatest artistes of our time . . .' No argument form me on that score 😃

This is a nice little slice of music history. The influence of "Sugar Mountain" on Joni for her to then write "Circle Game" is a well-known story. Both are great songs, Neil's being simpler in its lyrics but still profound in its way. He doesn't say anything in this clip about how Joni reacted when she first heard his "Sugar Mountain". Did she praise it, get moved to tears, what? Sadly, Neil hasn't produced anything of that monumental quality or worthy of his canon in about 25 years, his muse having left the building back then.

Yes , I saw Neil young in the RDS and the RHK

Oh - so good - thank you for posting this interview - (History - VIP - this will form part of texts in the future. So many people hold these two song writers in their hearts - they are part of human history like - Mozart, Beethoven, Paul Simon, Lennon/McCartney - (Same level). THANK YOU

Joni is the true artist of all living generations. It's a shame every generation goes further from understand the meaning of art. Beauty, truth, and compassion are not separate things but aspects of a single whole in which one aspect has no meaning without the others. If you don't have love and truth in your art it's not beauty.

2 of the best.🎸

If only I could hear blasting of these two from a nearby car instead of raucous rap, what a twist that would be.

The first time I met Joni Mitchell she was.....wait, it hasn't happened yet.

I do agree with Neil. Joni is one of the best singer/ songwriters of our time. She really was.

Neil Young had his music taken off Spotify .. Because another spotify content producer.. Joe Rogan.. Was critical of CV19 vaccinations. How'd that age Neil?? So in the tank for team propaganda.

Joni Mitchell is a living legend ❤

The Dirty Shames. I'd sign those guys up just because of their name.

Oh how I hate that word "talent" I think of nine-year-old girls tapdancing on Channel 11. -it implies unearned achievements. How about "artistry" "skilled" even "legendary"?

Oh to live on sugar mountain, with the barkers and the coloured balloons..............

Nice words about Jomi Mitchell. I think that Shure SM7B Mic has become the modern day RCA 77DX; you see them everywhere, at least I do. Good all-around mic, about $400-$500.

Sheesh, could the interviewer ask dumber questions? 'Neil, what the secret of keeping friends'? Dear God, like its not the sort of thing normal people do.... all the time

I like to think of myself as a level-headed guy who doesn’t get starstruck by meeting celebrities but if I was in a club and saw Joni Mitchell talking to Neil Young i’d probably scream like a 1960s Beatles fangirl

I think ol' Neil was gonna get his ass kicked if he didn't mention his wife after that Joni tribute

My first concert ever was Neil Young and Joni Mitchell in Alabama 1972!

I can see the wheels turning in Neil's head: "I better back off the Joni love for a second and mention my lovely wife Daryl before I get into trouble."

God he didnt age well! He used to look so great in Topanga in 66.

Neil, Joni, Bob, John - All I really need.

When he changes "one of the greatest" to "maybe the greatest", it reminded me of a pretty recent interview where the interviewer said to Joni, "some have called you one of the greatest artists...", and she answered, "what do you mean one of?" and then after a pause she laughed a little.

Neil the needle pusher. How ironic. Won't play his music no more, what a sell out. Rogan was right

He had to say that last bit about his wife or he would’ve gotten beat up I’m sure. Neil’s no dummy. 😂

He is wonderful.