Over the course of 40 years I have seen Neil in concert over 50 times. Often, multiple dates on the same tours at varied venues throughout the Northeast. The setlist varies ever so slightly, if at all, from show to show. But that's ok with me. It's all one song after all. Crazy Horse has always been my favorite way to enjoy Neil. Raw and Ragged. The closest I've ever been, physically, was row C, center orchestra, during the HORDE festival at Jones Beach on August 26, 1996. But those weren't the seats I was originally in. I was in an aisle seat, last row of the orchestra section, when an Australian dude, decidedly NOT a fan of Horse play, stomped his way up towards the exit. He noticed me diggin' on "Slip Away" and said, "Here ya go mate, enjoy the show"! Row C!!

The internet was in its infancy, but I knew my way around a tour setlist. So I knew what was coming next. I called out for "Down By The River". I don't know if Neil was expecting that. He definitely heard me because for a brief moment in time we locked eyes. I will never forget the intensity of that stare. Right at me and right through me at the same time. Felt like forever, probably a nano second in reality.

In 2010, Nils Lofgren had come to a small (274 seat) nearby performing arts center. After an Amazing 2 hour+ up close and personal performance, he was holding a meet and greet for fans (included in the price of admission!) upstairs at the merch table where I was first in line. I had 3 cd's with me: "Nils sings Neil" (his current release behind which he was touring), "Back It Up Live! Bootleg" and the eponymous self-titled "Crazy Horse". I laid the three cd's out on the table and inquired if he would sign one of his own choosing. Without hesitation, he reached for the Crazy Horse cd and said, "This was the only record I got to make with my brother Danny Whitten". It was pretty emotional for a minute and what Nils said next floored me. He opened the jewel case, removed and unfolded the insert and moved in closer. In a hushed tone he said to me, "This was my first F U to a record label". Although he was signed to Columbia at the time, the label agreed to "allow" him to appear on the Crazy Horse album, with full credits, but no photographs, especially not with a band signed to another label (Warner Bros.). Danny, Jack, Billy and Ralph were all standing outside of a NYC diner/deli. If you look closely, through the window, there's Nils, sitting inside at a table looking out the window. Right between Jack and Billy! Holy Crap! I've stared at that photo a hundred times or more! Nils WAS in that classic Crazy Horse group photo! He should’ve been in that group shot with the band, proper, but it was cool the way he handled it. Even cooler was that he shared that story. Nils signed all three cd's. I congratulated him on a great show and thanked him. He thanked me for being a fan and we shook hands.

I shook the hand that shook the hands. Of Neil. Of Danny. Of Jack, Billy and Ralph. Of Bruce. Of et al…? Two degrees of separation.

P.S. I’ve got tickets to see the Horse on back to back nights at Forest Hills, New York on May 14 and 15. I’m bringing my wife the first night (our first show together was 1991, “Weld”, less than a week after we got hitched, Neil & Crazy Horse were our honeymoon)! The second night I am bringing our adult daughter, Katie, who has never been to a Neil Young show.. I’m over the crazy moon that she’s excited to indulge dad and experience Neil & the horse at full gallop. I am not part of the “selfie” generation. That becomes glaringly apparent when someone requests a pic. I did manage to find two though. I am wearing my “Original Backer” Pono shirt (although the color is unmistakable) and equally proud of the Crazy Horse tour logo tattoo that is visible on my left forearm.

Herb Hesse Herb Hesse and his wife Kimberly The front cover of the Crazy Horse cd owned by Herb Hese signed by Nils Lofgren with the infamous photo. Danny Whitten, Jack Nitzsche, Billy Talbot, and Ralph Molina, plus Nils Lofgen inside deli window between Jack and Billy.