After the Goldrush

The Zoo Crew is spinning the hauntingly beautiful "After the Gold Rush" by Neil Young from his iconic 1970 album of the same name, and Zoo Freaks, this track is packed with fascinating stories. The song was inspired by a lost screenplay of the same name by Dean Stockwell and Herb Bermann, which envisioned an apocalyptic tale of California’s end, culminating in a tidal wave crashing into the Topanga Corral, a hippie hangout frequented by Young and Joni Mitchell. Young, struggling with writer’s block, read the script and wrote the album in just three weeks, with the title track capturing the screenplay’s protagonist carrying the "tree of life" through Topanga Canyon to the ocean. The song’s dreamlike lyrics, spanning medieval times to a future where humanity flees Earth in silver spaceships, were born from a dream Young had, and he’s famously admitted to not fully understanding their meaning. When Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt covered it for their 1999 album Trio II, they called Young to ask what it meant, and he replied, “Hell, I don’t know. I just wrote it. It just depends on what I was taking at the time.” The track’s environmental themes, like “Look at Mother Nature on the run,” have evolved in live performances, with Young updating the line to “in the 21st century” to reflect ongoing ecological concerns.

Another gem about “After the Gold Rush” is its unique instrumentation and lasting impact. Originally recorded with just Young’s vocals, a piano, and a French horn, the horn solo is often replaced by a harmonica in live performances, adding a raw, folksy edge. The song’s enigmatic quality has inspired covers, including a 1974 a cappella hit by the group Prelude, which reached number five in Canada, and performances by artists like Thom Yorke at Young’s Bridge School Benefit in 2002. Nils Lofgren, who played piano on the album at just 18, recalls watching Young perform the song on an old upright piano, a historic instrument still used in Young’s tours. The song’s surreal narrative and environmental undertones have led some, like Stockwell, to describe it as a “Jungian self-discovery of the gnosis,” while Young himself called it an “environmental song” with a “time-travel thing” in a 2012 biography. Despite a scathing initial review from Rolling Stone, which called the album “half-baked,” it’s now ranked 90 on their 500 Greatest Albums list and 323 on their Greatest Songs list, cementing its status as a timeless classic.

Neil Young’s journey to becoming a music legend began in Winnipeg, Canada, where he was born on November 12, 1945. As a teenager in the 1960s, he dove into the local music scene, playing in bands like The Squires and soaking up influences from folk, rock, and country. His big break came when he moved to Los Angeles and co-founded Buffalo Springfield in 1966 with Stephen Stills and Richie Furay. The band’s blend of folk-rock and introspective lyrics gained a cult following, but internal tensions led to its breakup by 1968. Young then launched his solo career with his 1968 self-titled debut, followed by Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere in 1969 with Crazy Horse, showcasing his raw guitar work and distinctive high tenor. His time with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young in 1970, including the chart-topping Déjà Vu, catapulted him to fame, setting the stage for After the Gold Rush. Young’s refusal to be boxed in—blending folk, rock, and later grunge influences—earned him the title “Godfather of Grunge,” with bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam citing him as a major influence.

Zoo Freaks can stay connected with Neil Young through his official website, Neil Young Archives, a treasure trove of his music, films, and unreleased recordings. On social media, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates on tours, releases, and his environmental activism. Fans can also dive into dedicated communities like Thrasher’s Wheat, a fan-run site with detailed album reviews and news, or join the Neil Young Fans Facebook group to connect with fellow enthusiasts. For more tribute vibes, check out After The Gold Rush - Neil Young Tribute on Facebook, celebrating Young’s legacy with live performances. Whether you’re grooving to the piano chords of “After the Gold Rush” or exploring Young’s vast catalog, the Zoo Crew and Zoo Freaks are in for a wild ride with this musical icon.