Ohio (Live 1971)

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Ohio (Live 1971)" by Neil Young, a raw and powerful performance captured at Massey Hall, for all the Zoo Freaks tuning in. This track, originally recorded by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young in 1970, was written in response to the Kent State massacre on May 4, 1970, where National Guardsmen killed four student protesters. Young, inspired by a Life magazine photo of the tragedy, wrote the song in a burst of emotion, retreating to the woods with his guitar. In a 2020 interview, sociology professor David Karen noted, “What was so important about that song was that it didn’t let the moment die,” highlighting its role as a protest anthem that captured the era’s anti-Vietnam War sentiment. The live 1971 version, released in 2007 as part of the Neil Young Archives, showcases Young’s solo acoustic intensity, with fans cherishing its raw vulnerability compared to the electrified CSNY original.

Another tidbit about "Ohio" comes from its rapid creation and release. Young and CSNY recorded and released the song within weeks of the Kent State shootings, a feat Young later reflected on in a 2020 Esquire article, emphasizing its urgency: “It was something that needed to be said right then.” The song’s blunt lyrics, like “Tin soldiers and Nixon’s coming,” directly called out the government, cementing Young’s reputation as a fearless social critic. In 2018, Young and Daryl Hannah released a new video for "Ohio," pairing the song with images from Kent State and modern school shootings, as noted on Rolling Stone, showing its enduring relevance. Fans on the Neil Young Fans Facebook group often share stories of hearing the live 1971 version for the first time, with one member recalling, “It felt like Neil was singing right to my soul, like he was still grieving those kids.”

Neil Young began his musical journey in Winnipeg, Canada, in the early 1960s, born on November 12, 1945, to sports writer Scott Young. As a teenager, he was captivated by the rock and roll sounds coming from the U.S., picking up a cheap plastic ukulele in 1958, as shared in a 2016 American Blues Scene article. By 1960, he was performing in local bands like the Jades and the Squires, honing his guitar skills in Canadian folk clubs. In 1965, Young briefly joined the Mynah Birds, a rhythm and blues outfit featuring a young Rick James, but the band dissolved when James was arrested for deserting the U.S. Navy. Young then drove to Los Angeles in a 1953 Pontiac hearse, forming Buffalo Springfield with Stephen Stills and Richie Furay in 1966. The band’s folk-rock sound laid the groundwork for Young’s career, though he left after two years to go solo, releasing his debut album in 1968.

Young’s career took off with his 1969 album Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, backed by Crazy Horse, and his part-time role in Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, contributing to their 1970 album Déjà Vu. His solo work, like 1972’s Harvest, featuring the No. 1 hit “Heart of Gold,” showcased his signature high tenor and deeply personal lyrics. Young’s official website, neilyoungarchives.com, offers a treasure trove of his music, including high-resolution streaming of his entire catalog. Fans can connect with him on Facebook, Instagram, and X, where he shares updates on releases and activism, like his 2022 Spotify protest over COVID misinformation. For deeper fan engagement, check out Thrasher’s Wheat, a fan site archiving concert reviews and lyrics analysis since 1996, or join the Neil Young Fans Facebook group to swap stories with fellow devotees.