Neil Young turns down millions of dollars for 'Harvest' tour

Originally released in February 1972, ‘Harvest’ became the best-selling album of that year Stateside and thanks to anthems including ‘Heart of Gold’, ‘Are You Ready for the Country?’ and ‘Old Man’, it’s rightfully regarded as one of the septuagenarian singer’s defining works. 

Young has never played a ‘classic album in full’ concert tour, and in a fresh interview with AARP, he revealed he recently turned down a colossal pay cheque for a ‘Harvest’ trek. 

“I was just offered millions of dollars for a tour to do Harvest,” Young said. “Everyone who played on ‘Harvest’ (his backing band The Stray Gators) is dead. I don't want to do that. How about planting instead of harvesting?

“If I decide to go on the road, I'd like to do a democracy tour next year with different people that keep changing. Not right or left. Democracy is not you on this side and me on that side just to see who wins.”

Elsewhere in the chat, Neil Young said he would never rule out a Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young reunion, however his soured relationship with David Crosby stands in the way. 

“Crosby should write an introspective book: Why People Won't Talk to Me Anymore,” Young said. “He made a lot of great music for a long time. I don't know what happened with David. I got nothing to say. 

“I love Stephen. I love Graham. If a reunion happens, it would be a surprise. I won't close the door on anything. I can hold a grudge with the best of them but only if there's a reason for it.” 

Reflecting upon his new album with Crazy Horse, ‘Colorado’, which deals with themes including climate change, Young heaped praise on teenage environmental activist Greta Thunberg. 

“It's the only thing that really matters,” Young said of climate change. “People on the streets can't see past next week. They're not thinking about their kids or their kids’ kids. I don't fly anymore, except to Europe. I can't do the (Swedish climate activist) Greta Thunberg thing.

“She's so great. I tried to reach her but she's swamped; I couldn't get her. I just wanted to tell her to remain positive and not be emotional. She's not very emotional anyway, but when she is, (opponents) are going to grab those images of her face and sensationalise it. You can't give them anything like that to work with.” 

Neil Young’s 39th studio album (and 12th with Crazy Horse) ‘Colorado’ is out right now. He co-headlined a huge show at London's Hyde Park with Bob Dylan back in July.