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Neil w Young
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1/16/2026 10:16:32 AM
The Restless Wind
After leaving and deleting all my songs and music off the site almost four years in ago in 2022 with impending cancer surgery and an unknown fate and future on the horizon, the subsequent rough ride all the way to near the end of last year (2025) including repeated hospital admissions is one that I hope to never repeat and that I am blessed and thankful for all the medical and personal support that has stood solidly by my side and helped pull me through that long struggle.
I thank all those who wished me well as I was preparing to leave the site in 2022, and particularly would like to acknowledge two IAC/IMP members who hung on with me in one way or another during the last four years: long-time friend and muse Rob – SilverwoodStudio. Rob – always a bright spot in my life would pop in unexpectedly from time to time leaving me blessed for his unwavering support and friendship, and James Stanley "Jimmy" Howen who I met some 20 years ago on MySpace. Jimmy and I have had each other’s back and have stood beside each other during our best and worse times and grief each of us have known. Thanks to the world of technology we live in I was honoured to sing at Jimmy’s wedding.
As noted on my page, I have somewhat returned to the site in as much as at least beginning to re-add my repertoire of music and songs – a step that I have initiated after reading a comment that Mortamer (Psyche’s Muse) had made on my page shortly after I left the site asking why my music was no longer “hear” which I thought was a unique way and play on words of expressing my having left the site, hence my now in the process of re-adding my repertoire – if only to please Mortamer. Having said that, I truly appreciate the warm welcome my recently added songs have received and are being favoured and commented on by several station managers – thank you all sincerely.
At the moment, my IAC/IMP life also as a station manager – Legendary Music and Legendary Music II, is on hold while I attend to personal demands on my time as well as working on getting myself back in shape to return to the studio … and, who knows, perhaps even to the stage again.
The result of my “ride” this past four years has not only given me a new lease on life but also a new perspective and outlook, one that I am endeavoring to adapt and lean into as I prepare to turn 84 and the page into the 85th chapter of my life tomorrow. Uncertain as to where this new road will take me, I fondly repeat below one of the lines in my song, “The Restless Wind”.
Determined as ever to never give up or quit and as I noted on my page, I left 2025 with my boots still on and my guitar and the restless wind at my back … “don’t know where it’s going to take me, could be back to where I’ve been, I’ll just go to where its goin’ to, just like the restless wind.”
May 2026 and the furure beyond be kind to each of you.
Neil
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Desperado Revue
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1/16/2026 10:43:22 AM
Welcome back Neil.
It's nice to hear your songs again.
Norm.
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Scott
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1/16/2026 1:49:27 PM
Ditto what Norm said.
Neil you are a stately presence here, happy your songs are back.
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Neil w Young
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1/17/2026 1:50:29 AM
Thank you, Norm.
Thank you, Scott.
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The CODE
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1/17/2026 6:37:21 PM
Quodos Neil - keep on Rocking!
All the best!
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Neil w Young
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1/17/2026 10:46:16 PM
---- Updated 1/17/2026 10:48:19 PM
Gracias, The CODE!! Rockin' is the plan going forward.
All the best in '26!!
Neil
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The Rhythm Kings
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1/18/2026 7:57:05 AM
Had no idea the he'll you went thru Neil! Glad your back and picking and singing. The music will keep us young. So glad you are well!
Bruce
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Neil w Young
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1/18/2026 10:52:44 PM
Thanks, Bruce. I agree - music keeps us young. I have told others when the matter of music is the topic that through the years music has been both my guiding light and my saving light.
Play on my friend.
Neil
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James Stanley Howen
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1/19/2026 6:56:31 AM
---- Updated 1/19/2026 6:58:43 AM
Cowboy, you have always been a great inspiration for me. Your encouragement is priceless. You brought me here to IAC/IMP when we first met on MySpace. I probably wouldn't have had the confidence without you. I was ecstatic when I was nominated here for best country song my first year. You won the Golden Kayak for best country song that year. I couldn't have been more proud of you.
You are the big brother I never had my friend. For me you are the heart and soul of IAC/IMP!
On top of that you brought me good luck with my getting married. Kelly and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary last August. I am still a very happy man with that.
Neil w Young, Roy Muniz, Les Boyko and myself are the campfire boys in spirit for many years now.
Welcome back brother!
Jimmy
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Neil w Young
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1/19/2026 10:55:47 PM
Thank you, Jimmy, for your kind words made in the true spirit of brotherhood cemented in the dreams and fulfillment of music around the campfire with you, Roy, Les and I ... and such shall it be into eternity, brother.
Cowboy
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Mike Lance
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1/20/2026 2:57:01 PM
---- Updated 1/20/2026 2:58:41 PM
Welcome back Neil, and happy 85th birthday! I didn't know about your health struggles, but am happy to hear that the bulk of then are behind you.
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Bob Elliott
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1/21/2026 10:27:00 PM
That sounds very hard. Glad you made it back. Good lyric.
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Neil w Young
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1/22/2026 12:22:57 AM
Thank you, Mike ... it was my 84th birthday - the beginning of my 85th year, no big deal, still 'old' though anyway you look at it ... lol.
2025 was a stark reminder of the medical fragility and unpredictability of life. At the end of the year I was fortunate to have dodged the bullet so to speak and be given a green card to enter 2026 with a renewed feeling of hope and promise including a return to daily vocal practice to get my voice back that I lost last year and get it ready to soon return to the studio.
Sadly, that came crashing down last Friday, January 16, the day before my 84th birthday, as my wife and I lost our elder daughter to an incurable disease that she courageously fought for more than 10 years. While last Friday had been on our calendar all through those years, that didn’t make its silent and lonely arrival any less painful.
I don’t know if any record exists that confirms Friedrich Nietzsche’s aphorism, “What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger,” I can still though but hope.
I’m counting on my extensive repertoire paving my return to the site while I slowly prepare to take another shot at 2026, and beyond.
Thanks again, Mike. I’m glad to be here – literally.
Regards,
Neil
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Mike Lance
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1/22/2026 2:38:31 PM
Neil, I am gutted to hear that and so sorry for your loss. I can't even begin to imagine what you are going through. I don't have the life experience to offer any comforting wisdom, and while I csn only soeak for myself I know that all of us are here for you.
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Richard Scotti
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1/22/2026 4:08:50 PM
Neil -Sorry to hear about your health woes and about the loss of your daughter. It’s no surprise to me that you continue to show courage and perseverance in the face of life’s hardships and are still a musical force of nature. Recently I had surgery to remove a kidney stone which was done successfully but in the process a CT scan accidentally discovered the possibility of a cancerous tumor on my kidney. It took several weeks to get an MRI with contrast and it showed
that the growth was not a tumor but a benign and harmless cyst. I was thrilled but over the course of several weeks, my wife and I were freaking out thinking that I had cancer with all the consequences that condition brings. When I was told I was cancer free, it made me have a renewed appreciation for life and a desire to enjoy every day to the fullest.
I’ll never forget the wonderful review you wrote of my song “Spending Borrowed Time”. It totally blew my mind! And I have fond memories of the letters we wrote to each other. I’m honored to have the privilege of calling you my friend. You’re a hero and an inspiration to me and to do many others. Keep up the good fight. You’ll always be a winner in my book!
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Neil w Young
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1/23/2026 9:08:59 AM
Thank you, Mike.
The kind words of care and support from friends is comforting at this difficult time.
I will be dedicating my cover of "For You" to our daughter Suzanne at her funeral service on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
Neil
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Neil w Young
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1/23/2026 9:35:14 AM
Thank you, Richard, for your kind words, friendship and support at this difficult time.
I understand the fear you would have had at the thoughts of having cancer. When I withdrew from the site in 2022 it was one of the steps I took in preparation for cancer surgery and the unknown future that was then on my horizon. In May of this year I will be thankful and blessed to have reache year four of remission, and pray that the remission will continue. I was though in the hospital six times last year for other difficult medical issues. Only recently did I arrive at the point where I felt strong enough and sufficienlty confident in returning to the site.
As I noted in my reply to Mike Lance above, I will be dedicating my just added cover of "For You" to Suzanne at her funeral service on January 31, 2026.
Life is an uncertain condition at best. Stay strong as you travel its roads during your journey through its valleys and over its hills.
Neil
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Psyche's Muse
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1/26/2026 11:29:48 PM
WOW! I didn't know that you were going through all of that. I am so glad you have recovered. And I had no idea that you were 20 years older than me either. Thanks for returning(and bringing your songs with you! ) -M-
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