Shakey: Neil Young's Biography
A massive, chaotic, and completely authorized study of rock's most unpredictable maverick.
The Historical Context
Jimmy McDonough spent years interviewing Neil Young (and everyone Young ever fired) to produce this mammoth book. Young emerges not as a peaceful hippie, but as an incredibly ruthless, singular artist who would instantly abandon any project, friend, or bandmate the second he felt his creative vision was being compromised. It is a terrifying study in artistic selfishness.
Deconstructing the Masterpiece
Here is exactly what you will find inside the pages of this pivotal work:
-
The absolute prioritization of the 'muse' over personal relationships.
-
Young's lifelong battle with epilepsy and its influence on his erratic behavior.
-
The bizarre diversions of his career, from electronic music to rockabilly.
The Myths & Controversies
The book details Young's ruthless habit of firing backing bands mid-tour, often leaving long-time friends stranded without pay.
The Verdict
The greatest, most exhaustively detailed biography of a living rock musician.
Archivist Notes: Shakey: Neil Young's Biography
About The Helter Skelter Archive
We are dedicated to preserving the raw, unfiltered history of rock music. Rejecting modern sanitized narratives, our editorial desk digs into out-of-print fanzines, rare biographies, and the chaotic history of the artists who built the culture. No AI rewrites, no corporate spin.
Add to Your Physical Archive
Support our independent platform. We may earn a small commission if you secure a physical copy via our links.
Join The Underground
Get rare archival footage, out-of-print fanzine scans, and exclusive reviews delivered to your inbox.
No spam. Just pure rock history.