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Neil Young’s heart of gold is being rewarded at this year’s Grammy Awards.
The Canadian folk-rock icon was previously named 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year in recognition of both his artistic achievements and his philanthropic work for charities, such as Farm Aid and the Bridge School for children with special needs.
On Friday night comes the celebration.
After Young is honoured at a gala dinner and an award presentation, a star-studded tribute concert takes place, featuring (in alphabetical order): Jack Black, Jackson Browne, T Bone Burnett, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Sheryl Crow, Everest, Patty Griffin, Josh Groban, Ben Harper, Emmylou Harris, Elton John, Norah Jones, Lady Antebellum, k.d. lang, Dave Matthews, John Mellencamp, Ozomatli, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Leon Russell, James Taylor, Wilco and Lucinda Williams.
“I’m more excited about that, to be completely honest with you, than the Grammys,” says Lady Antebellum vocalist Charles Kelley, whose Nashville trio is up for two awards at Sunday night’s ceremony thanks to their hit single I Run to You. “I have no idea how we got invited, but it’s a huge honour and I can’t wait. In my old cover-band days we used to play Southern Man and Keep on Rockin’ in the Free World.
“We’re getting to perform Only Love Can Break Your Heart,” he said. “I wanted to do Helpless so bad, but I think they said Elton John was going to do it, so I’m not going to argue against that!”
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Wilco bassist John Stirratt didn’t want to give out any spoilers about what the Chicago alt-rockers will play, but he wasn’t shy about discussing Young’s impact on the band.
“Had he not picked up a guitar and made music, we would not be around,” said Stirratt. Wilco’s eponymous CD Wilco (The Album) is up for Americana album of the year on Sunday, but he says honouring Young is “the main reason” they’re going to L.A.
“Boy, does he deserve this — if only for all the work he puts in every year on the Bridge School Shows. You know how annual events are; they come around so fast. But they’re so nice in how they treat the artists, and they have a big party out at their house.”
Now, he just has to forget the fact that he has to play Neil Young songs in front of the man himself.
“You know, I never really thought about that until you mentioned it. That’s going to be brutal. Thanks a lot.”
darryl.sterdan@sunmedia.ca