Videos: 6 of Neil Young's best performances

Neil Young kicks off a two-night concert stint at Toronto Massey Hall on Tuesday night.

Not only do the shows come on the 40th anniversary of Young's famed Massey Hall performance from January 1971 (which was made into an album and DVD), they will also be filmed by director Jonathan Demme for a documentary on the singer. It will be the filmmaker's third film about Young (he previously released Heart of Gold in 2006 and Neil Young Trunk Show in 2009).

In honour of Young's Toronto stints, here are six of Neil Young's best live performances.

Massey Hall (1971)

Young sang 18 songs at his Massey Hall concert — but only eight of them had previously been released.

Live Aid (1985)

Young performed in Philadelphia as part of the U.S. half of Live Aid (the British concert was held in London). Comments made by Bob Dylan would help lead to the creation of Farm Aid, of which Young was an organizer.

Farm Aid (1985)

The first Farm Aid was held Sept. 22, 1985. It was organized by Young, Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp. It continues to be held every fall. Last year marked its 25th anniversary.

Tribute to Heroes (2001)

Young's performance of John Lennon's classic was a perfect fit for the celebrity telethon held after 9/11 and was one of the most-talked about performances of the evening.

Conan O'Brien's last Tonight Show (2010)

Neil Young - Long May You Run from the last Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien from John Matthews on Vimeo.

Who would have guessed that Young would have been the first person to call Conan O'Brien when the news hit that his version of The Tonight Show was to be cancelled? While the rest of O'Brien's show featured humour, this was one of the best, most moving moments of the night.

2010 Vancouver Olympics Closing Ceremony

Once again, it was a performance of "Long May You Run," but it was a good fit for the closing of the 2010 Games. While Young sang, the Olympic flame was extinguished.

What was your favourite Neil Young performance? Let us know in the comments.

Comments

[Axle Goalie]

Could have used "Helpless" on the last waltz instead of "long may you run" twice

[Gonzo]

Rockin' In The Free World - SNL 1989

The best version of the song and maybe the best musical performance on SNL ever!!!

[cdw from canada]

1990 Saturday Night Live Christmas show, Neil Young live and acoustic and incredible.

[j-rock]

"Rockin' in The Free World" on Saturday Night Live in '89. The fact that's not on this list lowers its credibility somewhat.

Also check out his performance at the Fuji Rock Festival in 2001 (available on YouTube) "Hey Hey My My" in particular.

[Bob Dylan]

All Along the Watchtower at Bob Dylan Anniversary Tribute concert.

[Robert Lock]

The Prarie Wind Concert filmed over two nights with Neil's family and longtime friends performed at the Ryman Theatre in Nashville (many mentions of Canada). Also Live at Red Rocks Ampitheatre an electric version of "Cowgirl In The Sand" performed during spectacular lightning flashes from a huge Colorado thunderstorm and no one should miss Neil's fab version of All Along The Watchtower performed at Bob-Fest a tribute concert for Bob Dylan. Actually "anything" Neil Young!

[Michael Maser]

Maple Leaf Gardens in ... 1974 ?? 'Rust Never Sleeps' tour; concert opened with Neil feigning sleep on a giant faux speaker ... on awakening, he found his guitar and launched into 'Needle' or Heart of Gold', I forget, then played a riveting acoustic solo set. Second set he ripped up with Crazy Horse. It was awesome from start to finish. - Michael Maser

[jbabco]

Agreed. Rockin' in the Free World from SNL is arguably the greatest televised music event in history. Up there with U2 at Live Aid.

Too bad there's no youtube or I'm sure it'd be on the list.

[Peter pann]

what about down by the river at 98 farm aid with phish backing him up? totally awesome...