On February 25, 1970, Neil Young performed a concert that would later become one of the most important early documents of his career with Crazy Horse. The show took place at the Music Hall in Cincinnati, Ohio, and although the audience that night may not have realized it, they were witnessing a piece of rock history in the making.
At this point in time, Neil Young was already gaining serious attention as a solo artist. He had released Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere in 1969, an album that introduced Crazy Horse to the world and helped shape the gritty, emotional sound that would later define Young’s music. During the Cincinnati show, Young delivered powerful live versions of songs like “Sugar Mountain,” “Down By The River,” and “Cinnamon Girl.” These tracks showcased both his softer folk side and his loud, distorted rock edge.
What makes this concert even more special is that it included the live debut of several songs. According to Rolling Stone, this show marked the first time Young ever performed “Don’t Let It Bring You Down” and “Come On Baby Let’s Go Downtown” on stage. It also featured his first-ever cover of Joe London’s “It Might Have Been.” These performances give fans a rare look at how Young introduced new material to audiences during a very creative period of his life.
The recording of this 16-song set was quietly released on the Neil Young Archives during the festive season, without any major announcement. Instead of a big promotional campaign, Young chose to share it as a gift to his fans, timed to celebrate the Winter Solstice. This low-key release felt very fitting for an artist who has always followed his own path rather than industry rules.
Although Neil Young and Crazy Horse played more than 40 shows together in 1969, the Cincinnati concert is the earliest-known live recording of the band that has been made publicly available. That alone makes it incredibly valuable, not just for fans, but for anyone interested in the history of rock music.
At the time, Crazy Horse consisted of Danny Whitten, Billy Talbot, Ralph Molina, and Jack Nitzsche. Whitten, in particular, was Young’s right-hand man and a key creative partner until his tragic death in 1972. Hearing him play on this recording adds an emotional layer, knowing how important he was to Young both musically and personally.
In 1970, Neil Young was also juggling his role as a member of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Whenever he had free time away from that supergroup, he poured his energy into performing with Crazy Horse. This constant movement between projects helped shape Young into one of the most versatile and restless artists of his generation.
Fast forward to today, and Young’s career is still evolving. He has not performed live with Crazy Horse since 2024, instead choosing to tour with his newer band, The Chrome Hearts. With them, he headlined Glastonbury Festival last summer, proving that his live presence remains as powerful as ever.
Looking ahead, Neil Young is set to return to Europe next summer with The Chrome Hearts. The tour will begin on June 19th in Manchester at Heaton Park, before traveling through countries including France, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and Italy. He will also play two brand-new UK festivals: Blenheim Palace Festival and State Fayre in Chelmsford, Essex, alongside Kings of Leon and The Lumineers in late June 2026.
From a small stage in Cincinnati in 1970 to massive festival crowds decades later, Neil Young’s journey continues. This newly released concert is not just a recording — it is a reminder of where the legend truly began. 🎸