Some people say he can´t sing, some people say he is not a great guitarplayer. I prefer one finger stroke on a guitar string to the full performance of thousands of other so-called top singers. This man wrote the music and lyrics of my life, I was 17 when I bought After the Goldrush. Harvest in '72. Addicted for life, the best addiction ever.

19 years old right now and just wish there was a scene like this man, just a small intimate venue with such an insane musician. I missed the best times honestly, social media and the internet is destroying our young heads. Edit (3/1/24): Thank you all for the words and stories in the past year, lots of growth, listened to you and started getting fairly serious about my own playing. As someone said, be the victor and not a victim. In the process of planning a few local bar shows! I come back here frequently to share in the love of this music with you guys so thank you.

Neil Young tuning a fan's guitar and showing him the intro to Cinnamon Girl in early 1970s Washington Square Park - it doesn't get much cooler than that.

my big Blues Brother RIP loved to tell a story of how he and his buddy were just drinking beers in a regular bar in New England somewhere and Neil Young walked in unexpectedly with his guitar and just started playing to the surprise of all the patrons, this was back in the 1980's, a much more simpler time, a better time.

I've watched this 100+ times and it never gets old. Neil is pure genius.

Only some will appreciate how special this is 😮

For all the BS the Internet has brought us, uploads like this make it all worth while. Thanks!

Dam! What a treat! Talk about rare footage. I dont think that the viewers realize what they are watching here. This is someone's personal roll of film featuring a young Young in the very early days. Tuning the fan's guitar at the end is a gem bonus on the reel I have to say. Thank you for this gratis sweet slice of life from the past.

I could watch this a million times and it still wouldn't be enough. Neil Young is an artist that paints with his guitar!

A snapshot in time of the insanely gifted mind of a musical genius. Gold.

damn I am jealous of that dude at the end. Neil picks up your guitar, retunes it, shows you how to play one of his songs. thats cool

Rare...one of his best performances.

I've known guitarists that dis this guy's playing. I disagree Neil is a great axe man and a writer of iconic songs. Thanks for posting. Cheers

Holy. Fucking. Shit. This is amazing footage. Wow, just wow.

I was someone's cinnamon girl once. I loved that man so deeply. But some things just don't work out. Everytime I hear this, I'm thrown back. And I wouldn't ever change a thing.💙❤

I can’t believe what I’m hearing and seeing .. this is pure gold

He's a perfect stranger Like a cross of himself and a fox He's a feeling arranger And a changer of the ways he talks He's the unforeseen danger The keeper of the key to the locks Know when you see him Nothing can free him Step aside, open wide It's the loner If you see him in the subway He'll be down at the end of the car Watching you move Until he knows, he knows who you are When you get off at your station alone He'll know that you are Know when you see him Nothing can free him Step aside, open wide I wanna live with a cinnamon girl I could be happy the rest of my life With a cinnamon girl A dreamer of pictures, I run in the night You see us together, chasing the moonlight My cinnamon girl Ten silver saxes, a bass with a bow The drummer relaxes and waits between shows For his cinnamon girl A dreamer of pictures, I run in the night You see us together chasing the moonlight My cinnamon girl Pa, send me money now I'm gonna make it somehow I need another chance You see, your baby loves to dance Yeah, yeah, yeah

Neil Young is one of those mind blowing artists that always evokes the sort of thoughts and feelings you may already have possessed but were not aware of. Whether it's the heartfelt vocals and awesome music and melodies he proffers, or the actual words to the songs, the human mind and heart are going to be impacted. There's just so much to say about this man that I realize a little comment-space is just not enough. I think I'll do a blog post on this: one of my all-time favorite musicians and inspirational men: Neil Young. But I will add this: When the song he wrote in response the the Kent State killings came out (Ohio), it induced a myriad of feelings in me. At first, I cried, then became angry over the atrocity....and somewhere in between, my admiration towards and my love for him (per what I've seen and heard from the man), became deeply rooted.

Man, I don't know what to say about Neil... I love that crazy bastard. Saying crazy stuff but Listen to this perfection!!! Neil gets a free pass in my heart...

It's just so raw, it's rare today.

Neil Young at his absolute best.💗

love how Neil finishes the words to The Loner while playing the opening bars to Cinnamon Girl smooth as silk change into the next song.

Absolute genius. Astonishing.

wow, a quick drop D tuning music lesson in the park from Neil Young caught forever, a lifetime path and remembrance from the maestro... oh what a lucky man he was...

I'm 37 and feel I was born in the wrong decade. I was born in 1984 but wish I was born in 1944. At 13 Neil Young's music fed a soul I didn't realize I had

This comes from somewhere timeless.

I remember the phrase "Out of Sight." I am going to start using it again.

Neil Young writes the most romantic and yet tough and tender ballads, Cinnamon Girl, Helpless, Heart of Gold. And he's still writing them...

An impromptu guitar lesson to a stranger in the park. Just try to imagine that guy telling his friends about that. “No really, it was Neil Young….”

A friend of ours (2 brothers &2 sisters) back in the 70's turned us on to Neil Young & CSN&Y I loved the music since and fell hard for this friend.this was back in the 70's I haven't ever forgotten him and never will. Best time of my life. We even stuffed (sardine style) 6 or 7 of us in a Ford pinto to go to a dance at a Pavillion in the next city over from where we lived best times ill never forget. I have never forgotten him never will. Lots of fun back then

I love how heavy this song is and at the same time so soft and melodic. It's a perfect mix of emotion.

Unbelievably great piece. What a treasure.

Omg this is a hidden treasure!

The 'key' to playing Cinnamon Girl is double drop d tuning. Then you just "play the modal" as Neil says. The ending on the album version Everyone Knows This is Nowhere is all the chords to mess around with and he'd figure out the whole tune.

The Loner my favorite Neil tune by far!

I saw Neil at an "Unplugged" (as they were all being called in the early 90's) show at "Star Lake" in Burgettstown, PA and to see this look back in time at the earlier versions of "Cinnamon Girl" was really fantastic! All these years later and I have my own Cinnamon Girl. Life is good.

first album i ever owned was NEIL self titled with the loner followed by the album Everybody knows this is nowhere and the classic hit cinnamon girl

This is what talent looks like. It's one thing to play well or to sing well...but to both simultaneously in front of an audience...without any obvious mistakes/imperfections (and without any backup/extra instrumentation to help cover up any you might make)...and to have written both songs, to boot...and they're songs with real, not-nonsense-lyrics...this is the kind of stuff that it takes to impress me after being jaded by years of KZfaq lol

This guy knows how to make it all work, the playing, singing and writing all work for him.

The Rock God himself in the early days. Long may you rock, Neil! Love you and your work -- forever. No one compares.

Thank you for these 2 gems. So beautiful

Good performance! Greetings from México! Long live love Neil Young!!.

The way he plays the guitar and his voice just let me contemplative, he transport me somewhere else. Thank you mister Young !

That was amazing footage Thank You for posting this.

Just when you think you've heard it all. Thanks for sharing ❤

Neil's simply the Best!!!

Wow! pretty cool stuff here! That old D-45 really answers Neils call.

Shannon Hoon's voice reminds me of Neil Young's. Such a gem this one is. 👍👍

That was the quickest guitar lesson I've ever seen Neil didn't even bother telling him it was double drop D tuning , still a very hard song to play

This blend of a sort of percusive way to play guitar bringing back the deep country sound with a fresh touch, and a perfect expressive voice jamming...that'll be forever unique and his trade mark

Two mics taped together... One for the audience, and one for the mixing board. Sounds GREAT! Thank you for posting this time capsule. Neil was, is, and will always be a unique artist.

That’s so cool he showed the dude how to play it

Splendid old footage! Thanks so much!

Fantastic. I've only heard the plugged in version of "Loner" from Live Rust. Thank you so much for the upload

Although he is a rock-god he still has time to tune the guitar of a loving fan. Much love to Neil....🎼🎵🎶🎸

Hauntiing. Epic pulling at heart strings as always. Love, Peace.

Neil you are amazing...Merry Christmas everyone....

F*ckin' Cool! I learned that D Modal tuning he showed the guy back in the 70's when I started playing FROM Neil Young & Stills RECORDS using it. I knew immediately when I saw him in the "Backroom" footage he was in it. GREAT to know why "All the songbooks & sheets were WRONG!" Where's the "End of Cinnamon Girl" footage shot? GREAT POST! THANKS!

When I first watched this video last night in a buzzed and stoned gaze, I stood completely still in such awe and amzament that I forgot where I was even standing. Neil Young is such an influential singer and song writer to me one of my all-time favorites amongst others. He has forever changed the way I hear, view, and play music for the rest of my life.

This video is incredible. I bet the dude at the end never changed the tuning of his guitar ever again

thanks for sharing ! Awesome... for ever one of the best musicians...

These are 2 of the favorite songs of my life! I never heard play it this way. Gonna save this so I can get guitar part done right!

One and only NEIL YOUNG 💞💗

Turned on to Neil when I was 15 and still at school. Playing pool and listening to Harvest and After The Gold Rush. In between shots on the pool table, my cue was a guitar and I was Neil Young playing the solo on Southern Man. I’d just learned a few chords you see, on the guitar. I’ve been playing guitar for 50 yrs and I still love sitting down on the back porch jamming Cowgirl In The Sand and Old Man and Heart Of Gold. Cinnamon Girl & The Needle And The Damage Done. Don’t Let It Bring You Down. Love you Neil, thanks for a life time of wonderful memories.

My ears must be in heaven.

Love Neil beyond words. Born cinnamon. Will die cinnamon. 💙💕

I love the "Double-Drop-D" lesson at the end!

One of the best guitar player singer songwriter’s ever !! 👍👏👏👏😊🎸🎤

Stunning.....

I'm 63yrs old now.....and echo your feelings!!!! So much lost......

Neal young is the best song writer and musician really good footage .this is probably Toronto

Love his music. ❤

A national treasure -- what a precious video! Nothing to get in the way of pure genius. He's singing a harmony line in CG, isn't he?

This a great example, of how good Neils's often disparaged guitar playing really is. Of course, I always thought him to be a better acoustic player than an electric one.

Such a gifted artist. Only a handful can approach his brilliance. And what an amazing clip, where the heck did this come from? If he had only written those two songs, he'd be a legend, but that doesn't even scratch the surface of what he's done. Remarkable.

Old Genius👏👏👏

love this! wish it had the down by river part of this medley too

this is a gem!!!

So cool. Love ❤️ these.

Beautiful 🤩

Neil. Ive been listening to you since Buf Spring field. That iis over 50 years and you get better and better

What continues to blow my mind is he recorded that song(CG) with a guy born in my hometown of Columbus, GA. Long live Danny Ray Whitten

This is so good and I found it just in time for my husbands birthday today he was born Nov18,1955 in the Mission District San Francisco! Eight Miles High little Joey Benoit!

OMG.. That scene in the park!! Musical genius

Killer version of the loner

Neil Young .xxoo lovely .

Wow, out of sight!

10 or so years ago I did think every one would be in there own movie someday. 😎💃💇‍♂️💜💚💜🎩

Love love this song

That was magnificent!!! How have I never heard this performance before?!? I'm more thankful than I can express, that you have posted this. Cheers\=/\=/

so good it's almost beyond belief

The Loner is my favorite Neil Young song! Love how he transactions into Cinnamon Girl! Great video! Notice no punk asses making a fool of themselves thinking they are bigger than the Artist! Glad I saw concerts in the 60's & 70's! People shut up got high and listen to the music for their truths!

I Love Neil.

Rocking with Neil for 54 yrs. never a bad song, maybe have to listen a couple times before it hits you

This is what makes youtube great

I’m so excited because I’m going to See and Hear Neil Young with my Daughter. On Mother’s Day. Definitely a night of many new memories and a whole lot of fun.

What a thing of beauty

I live in Portugal with my most special cinnamon girl where I will be happy the rest of my life.

Iconic and beautiful 😊❤️👍🎶🎼

simply unrivalled, beyond compare! Awesome!