Out of nowhere, Neil Young's older brother — 78-year-old Bob Young — has released his first-ever song. The track by the former professional golfer is called "Hey America," and you can hear his debut now.
The song comes via a video directed by Neil Young, Daryl Hannah and CK Vollick, and it was done alongside a band called the Peterborough. The group features Neil Young on harmonica and vocals, Ryan Weber on bass, and Melissa Pyne on fiddle and harmony vocals, as well as the Sadies' Mike Belitsky on drums and Travis Good on banjo,
"I didn't set out to become a songwriter and singer at 78 years of age," Bob Young said in a statement. "It was and is an organic event. I was watching Donald Trump on TV a couple of years ago and wrote down a few lines. When I got home, I found I could play those lines on guitar. Gradually, it became what it is now. It took a while to be able to play and sing the song from start to finish. When I could finally accomplish that, it was a victory."
He went on to say: "The recording process all happened at once. I had never done that either. It was a band performance that had spontaneity. In another session, some vocal harmony was added, and Neil played harmonica. My perspective is simultaneously that of a participant and spectator. I am watching myself do this. All you aging baby boomers out there, give it a shot. As Yogi Berra put it, 'It ain't over 'til it's over, and even then it ain't over.' I agree. I have more songs, all from the same creative spark."
Down below, you can watch the video for "Hey America."
The song comes via a video directed by Neil Young, Daryl Hannah and CK Vollick, and it was done alongside a band called the Peterborough. The group features Neil Young on harmonica and vocals, Ryan Weber on bass, and Melissa Pyne on fiddle and harmony vocals, as well as the Sadies' Mike Belitsky on drums and Travis Good on banjo,
"I didn't set out to become a songwriter and singer at 78 years of age," Bob Young said in a statement. "It was and is an organic event. I was watching Donald Trump on TV a couple of years ago and wrote down a few lines. When I got home, I found I could play those lines on guitar. Gradually, it became what it is now. It took a while to be able to play and sing the song from start to finish. When I could finally accomplish that, it was a victory."
He went on to say: "The recording process all happened at once. I had never done that either. It was a band performance that had spontaneity. In another session, some vocal harmony was added, and Neil played harmonica. My perspective is simultaneously that of a participant and spectator. I am watching myself do this. All you aging baby boomers out there, give it a shot. As Yogi Berra put it, 'It ain't over 'til it's over, and even then it ain't over.' I agree. I have more songs, all from the same creative spark."
Down below, you can watch the video for "Hey America."
