[The "Clear Channel Rant", prior to playing Horsehoe Man]
Audience member: You never told us about Clear Channel Mr. Young.
NY: We can talk about that if you really want to hear. I'm a better musician. It is too bad you have to work with people who want sponsor war rallies.
I’ve got a lot of friends who’ve been doing this for a long time
Built-up relationships
People want to retire
They want to sell the business
They get a great offer
They let it go
Somebody else comes along
Buys their business
But they don’t own it anymore
These new people are different
They’re not the ones you sold it to
Something terrible happens
Musicians try to say what they feel
The new owner doesn’t want to hear that
You’re still working with the same old guy
You didn’t know he was selling to people who were going to sponsor war rallies
A worldwide organization to control music and control freedom of speech
Worldwide power gets bigger and bigger
Let a couple of little guys play, then it won’t be a monopoly
It’s still legal
Friends in high places
Calls from powerful people
We like your organization
You got a lot of power, a lotta reach
People listen
We want you to tell them this is a good war
We want you to stop playing records by people who don’t think it’s a good war
You heard enough?
Neil Young
Carling Apollo Hammersmith, London, England
May 19, 2003