On the occasion of Neil turning 80 tomorrow.
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Stipe’s selects “Pocahontas” (which also happens to be my favorite 
)
”I wrote a song on the band’s last album which references Neil Young. I never much listened to his music but I knew that Neil was a favorite of all the guys in my former band R.E.M. They revered him, especially Peter and Bertis, the band’s manager. He was one of the main reasons we signed to Warner Bros. Records. Sometime in the '90s, I went to see Neil perform at the Hollywood Bowl with Tim Booth and his band James opening. Neil did an acoustic set, sat middle stage surrounded by different keyboards, and he performed beautifully. It was a perfect warm jasmine and tuberose Los Angeles night and the music was incredibly moving. Near the end of the set he did this song and I remember calling Peter afterwards and saying, “He did this amazing song about Marlon Brando and Pocahontas and it blew my mind.” Peter laughed at me and said, “Michael that’s one of his best-known songs.” Of course I had no idea. Later that week Neil performed on a soundstage for MTV Unplugged. I went and was sat next to Ringo Starr.
Years later, as R.E.M. were wrapping up our final record, I wrote “Me, Marlon Brando, Marlon Brando And I” as an homage to my queer godfather Marlon and to Neil who was always warm and generous to me and to my band. The song contained references to the gold and brass rings which are important repeated motifs in my own writing. As for Neil and his music, however late I showed up at the party, he became a hero to me those nights in Los Angeles.”
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