Watch Neil Young and John Mayer trade solos in a ferocious rendition of Rockin’ In The Free World with Stephen Stills (2024)

By Janelle Borg

published

Young and Stills performed a 13-song set brimming with classics, including a song they haven't performed in over 50 years, and another one that was never actually recorded

Watch Neil Young and John Mayer trade solos in a ferocious rendition of Rockin’ In The Free World with Stephen Stills (1)

By now, John Mayer is an undisputed veteran who has shared the stage with some of history's greatest guitarists, including Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and B.B. King. Another pair of legends he can now add to his list? Neil Young and Stephen Stills – who performed a 13-song set chock-full of classics at the Harvest Moon Festival in Lake Hughes, California, last weekend.

The historic set, which saw the former CSNY bandmates reunite, concluded with an encore and a surprise appearance by Mayer. Wielding what looks like his signature PRS SE Silver Sky in piano black, the Slow Dancing in a Burning Room guitarist remained on the sidelines, giving the spotlight fully (and rightfully) to Young and Stills, before delivering a searing, Mayer-flavored solo.

Neil Young + Stephen Stills + John Mayer “Rockin’ In the Free World” 10/05/24 Lake Hughes, CA - YouTubeWatch Neil Young and John Mayer trade solos in a ferocious rendition of Rockin’ In The Free World with Stephen Stills (2)

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The daytime benefit concert, which raised funds for the Painted Turtle Camp and the Bridge School, saw the two legends kick off their set with Long May You Run, from their 1976 collaborative album of the same name.

They then moved on to Human Highway, a song initially intended for a CSNY record and as a follow-up to 1970’s Déjà Vu, which Young eventually included on 1978’s Comes a Time.

The duo also took on a rare rendition of Hung Upside Down from 1967’s Buffalo Springfield Again, a song they hadn’t played together since that year.

“The worst four words you can hear in a live performance are ‘here’s a new song,’” Stills joked as he addressed the crowd. “But this is actually a new version of an old song that took two centuries to write. It’s called Hung Upside Down.”

Neil Young & Stephen Stills “Hung Upside Down” 10/05/24 Lake Hughes, CA Harvest Moon Benefit - YouTubeWatch Neil Young and John Mayer trade solos in a ferocious rendition of Rockin’ In The Free World with Stephen Stills (3)

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Their appearance at the Harvest Moon Festival marked the longest set the two had played together since the 2011 Buffalo Springfield reunion tour – although they briefly reunited last year at an autism awareness benefit in Los Angeles.

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As for Rockin’ in the Free World, the song has taken on a life of its own over the decades, and bridged generations. It was recently performed by Paul McCartney, super-producer Andrew Watt, and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith at an impromptu show in the Hamptons.

Watch Neil Young and John Mayer trade solos in a ferocious rendition of Rockin’ In The Free World with Stephen Stills (4)

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Watch Neil Young and John Mayer trade solos in a ferocious rendition of Rockin’ In The Free World with Stephen Stills (6)

Janelle Borg

Janelle is a staff writer at GuitarWorld.com. After a long stint in classical music, Janelle discovered the joys of playing guitar in dingy venues at the age of 13 and has never looked back. Janelle has written extensively about the intersection of music and technology, and how this is shaping the future of the music industry. She also had the pleasure of interviewing Dream Wife, K.Flay, Yīn Yīn, and Black Honey, among others. When she's not writing, you'll find her creating layers of delicious audio lasagna with her art-rock/psych-punk band ĠENN.

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Watch Neil Young and John Mayer trade solos in a ferocious rendition of Rockin’ In The Free World with Stephen Stills (2024)

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