Neil Young has always been one of the more outspoken rock stars and had focused his sights on Spotify in recent days. The reason is that he doesn’t agree with Joe Rogan and believes his podcast is spreading lies.
“Music is our life. It is sacred. It lives in young minds and souls. Do not let Spotify contaminate those young music loving spirits with misinformation that could cause death. We need to stand behind the spirit of music and protect music lovers everywhere. Thanks so much for being there and standing with me!”
In Young’s initial statement once Spotify acquiesced to his request, he said, “I sincerely hope that other artists and record companies will move off the Spotify platform and stop supporting Spotify’s deadly misinformation about COVID.”
While some musicians are taking Neil’s side like Barry Manilow there are others taking Spotify’s side. Disturbed singer David Draiman in a series of tweets said the following:
“I applaud you and Spotify for making the right call, preserving free speech, and not capitulating to the mob. I may not agree with everything Joe Rogan or his guests say, but they’re entitled to have the forum to say it.”
On Thursday another user tagged both Draiman and Rogan and said, “Would love to see David Draiman go on Joe Rogan. It’d be a great convo I’d bet.” The rocker replied to the user and Rogan, “I’m ready when you are.”
Draiman followed that up by writing, “Let me be clear. I do not support ANY artist blackmailing any entity to follow an agenda THEY believe in, whether it’s Neil Young on one side of the spectrum or Eric Clapton on the other. Music shouldn’t be used to sow division. It should be used to bring people together [in my humble opinion].”
