Imagine Neil Young, the legendary songwriter, on the cusp of appearing in one of the most beloved rock movies of all time, 'Almost Famous'... and then, poof, he's gone! It's a story of a near-miss cameo that perfectly encapsulates the enigmatic nature of the rock icon.
Neil Young, a name synonymous with lyrical genius and guitar mastery ('Cinnamon Girl' anyone?), often gets overlooked for his contributions to cinema. Beyond being the partner of actress Daryl Hannah, he's penned iconic songs for soundtracks, directed his own concert films, and even helmed the bizarrely brilliant 'Human Highway' starring Devo and Dennis Hopper. You might think, with all this behind-the-scenes action, he'd be comfortable in front of the camera. But here's where it gets controversial...
While many musicians of his generation embraced acting, Young's on-screen appearances have been fleeting, almost accidental. Cameron Crowe, the writer and director of 'Almost Famous,' learned this firsthand. He envisioned Young for a cameo role, leveraging his own experiences as a Rolling Stone journalist during the magazine's golden age to bring authenticity to the film. Crowe's semi-autobiographical masterpiece, starring Kate Hudson, Jason Lee, and Billy Crudup, tells the story of a young journalist's first big assignment with Rolling Stone, capturing the raw energy of the 70s rock scene.
In a reflective interview with Rolling Stone celebrating the film's 20th anniversary, Crowe revealed the details of Young's almost-appearance. Young was slated to play Harry Hammond, the estranged father of Billy Crudup's character, the magnetic guitarist Russell Hammond. "Neil was going to come backstage in Cleveland with a young wife," Crowe explained. "They’re complimenting the show, but the young bride is looking at Crudup and he’s looking at her; and he realises that the father is being played and is piggybacking on his [son’s] success. It’s a heartbreaking moment about what success does to an estranged parent.”
Imagine the scene: Young, in full character, adding a layer of complex family drama to the already rich tapestry of 'Almost Famous.' But this is the part most people miss... Crowe elaborated, "It was a cool little scene. Betsy [Heimann] had outfitted Neil Young, and he had his clothes and everything and cancelled the morning of.” The reason for Young's last-minute withdrawal remains shrouded in mystery. Was it a sudden change of heart? A scheduling conflict? Or simply a moment of Neil Young being Neil Young? We may never know. He's known for his independent spirit, as seen in his past actions with Glastonbury Festival, Spotify, and MTV.
However, before you start thinking this is a tale of disappointment, remember that Neil Young, in his own way, did contribute significantly to the film. While he wasn't willing to be filmed, he was incredibly generous with his music. "But he was first in line to give us the acoustic ‘Cortez The Killer’," Crowe said. "And he went through his archives to find the perfect take and mixed it and gave it to us. So he giveth and he taketh,” Crowe added. And this is the real gem: While a visual cameo would have been interesting, the emotional resonance of 'Cortez the Killer' perfectly complements the film's themes of love, loss, and the complexities of fame.
Ultimately, while we'll never see Neil Young as Harry Hammond, his contribution to 'Almost Famous' through 'Cortez the Killer' is arguably more profound. It's a reminder that sometimes, the greatest contributions come in unexpected forms. But here's where it gets controversial... Do you think having Neil Young in a cameo would have made 'Almost Famous' even better? Or was his musical contribution more valuable to the film's overall impact? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! And consider this: Maybe Young's refusal to appear was a deliberate artistic choice, a way of ensuring the focus remained on the story and the characters, rather than on a celebrity cameo. What do you think?
