Singer-songwriter Neil Young is back in Winnipeg, the place where his musical career began.
Born in Toronto and raised in Omemee, Ont., Young went to high school and played many of his first gigs in the Manitoba capital.
The 73-year-old folk rocker recorded his first major album, âEverybody Knows This Is Nowhere,â after moving to California, but the dog by his side was named Winnipeg.
Many people in Winnipeg, where itâs regularly â20 C or colder in the winter, say the bitter temperatures breed creativity. The Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive also started there.
Neil Young and his band Crazy Horse were in Winnipeg to play two shows, on Sunday and Monday, but Young has been spotted all over the city since Saturday.
Heâs been seen spending time with old friends, took in a hockey game and stopped by a drive-in restaurant where he bought strangers some burgers and fries.
Michelle Holyk just missed him at the restaurant, but thatâs OK.
âYou know what?â she said. âWhen famous people are here, we say âhiâ and we leave them alone,â she said.
âItâs not like Hollywood (where) the paparazzi are always trying to take pictures and hassle them,â she added.
Young shared a few moments from his visit on social media, including a selfie taken outside his former high school.
âWhat a feeling to be home in Winnipeg, especially now, with all of you,â
âWe are having a memorable time here. Thereâs something very special about this visit with the Horse,â he added. âSeeing the old places where I started with my first band ... then playing the night in this grand old theater ... surrounded by people I love. Life is surely good.â
2 original Squires touring their old stomping grounds . One of their 1st gigs was in this Crescentwood Community Center
â Neil Young Archives (@NeilYoungNYA)
Feels good to be home
â Neil Young Archives (@NeilYoungNYA)
THANKS BURTON CUMMINGS
â Neil Young Archives (@NeilYoungNYA)
Beautiful old theater brings hometown crowd
02-03-19
What a feeling to be home in Winnipeg, especially now, with all of you. We are having a memorable time here...Read the full message on NYA Instagram:
December, 1962
â Neil Young Archives (@NeilYoungNYA)
The first known photo of The Squires. Neil, Alan Bates, and Ken Koblun rehearsing in drummer Jack Harperâs house in Winnipeg.
Winnipeg, where playing in a band began for me, see you all next week!
Taking care of the music