Backstage at Jones Beach with Neil Young, June 14, 1989
by Paul Dake
This is my story of a once-in-a-lifetime concert experience. It was the “Freedom” summer tour – Neil Young: A Solo Acoustic Evening. Neil played a handful of songs from the forthcoming album. Also playing were Ben Keith and Frank “Poncho” Sampedro.
I had gone to two other recent shows at Lake Compounce, CT and Bally’s in Atlantic City. The opening act was the Indigo Girls, whom I had the good fortune to meet in Atlantic City. That meeting was the spark that led to an amazing night as they said they’d put me on “the list” for the Jones Beach show.
I drove three hours from PA to Long Island. Upon arrival, I approached a gate with a guard and explained that my name might be on “the list”. It wasn’t, but after all it did seem a bit too good to be true.
This is when I learned that persistence truly pays off. After the Indigo Girls played, I went to the guys at the sound board and explained that the Indigo Girls’ road manager Bunny may have put me on “the list”. He said, “Come with me” and led me to the front of the stage and called over a big guy to talk to me. I told my story, making sure to mention Bunny, and he said, “Wait here”. In a few minutes he came back, said, “Here ya go,” and handed me a backstage pass. I went through a tunnel to get backstage, and exiting through a doorway I found myself behind the large stage curtain. I found the Indigo Girls dressing room and we talked and took a photo. Suddenly, Bunny made an announcement. “I don’t usually get excited about this kind of thing, but I just heard that Bruce Springsteen is on his way here!”
I went and stood at the edge of the curtain watching Neil play, his instruments lined up in front of me. Poncho appeared and I said, “This tour must be pretty easy for you since you’re playing just a couple of songs each show.” He chuckled and said, “Yeah, but I’m doing all the cooking on the bus!”
There was a platform on which guests could stand and watch the show. I went up and watched Neil while looking out on the joyful faces of people showing their love and admiration for this music icon. Suddenly, walking onto the platform was Bruce Springsteen. Feeling brave, but also what felt to be the natural thing to do, I stuck out my hand and said, “Hey Bruce!” He shook my hand and said, “How ya doin’?” So there I stood, 20 feet from Bruce as we both watched Neil play for a few songs. Then Bruce went back down the steps, so I speculated he was leaving. Moments later, Neil finished “Powderfinger,” and said, “Thank you, everybody” and exited the stage. The crowd showed their love, howling, knowing there would likely be an encore.
Neil returned. More exuberant cheering and yelling. Pacing the stage, he said, “My songs are all the same. Now you can use Bob Dylan’s words and interchange the whole deal there. Or you could use Bruce’s words and that’d be okay too. I’d just like to thank you for coming here tonight. There’s a friend of mine out here somewhere, he doesn’t know I’m gonna do this to him, but ya know, somebody’s gotta do it to him, ya know. So, he’s out here somewhere. Bruuuuce. Are you in here? I’d like to do a song with ya Bruce, if ya got a minute.” Out comes Bruce with an acoustic guitar. The crowd goes absolutely crazy. Neil kind of chuckled and said to Bruce they will play “Down By The River.” Neil told him to “just sing into this,” indicating the one microphone on stage. He said to him, “E minor” and they began a once-in-a-lifetime duet. Bruce watched Neil to pick up the chords, played a few lead licks, and found a nice high harmony on the chorus.
The show was over and the crowd going crazy. I came down from the platform and hung around with a few others as Neil and Bruce talked for a bit, then headed their separate ways. Neil walked swiftly by me and I felt so grateful to be graced by his presence.
I drove the three hours home, on an adrenaline high, slept a couple of hours, and somehow got up and went to work in the morning. It was an incredible, unforgettable experience.
Thank you for the music, Neil.