With the season 50 kickoff of SNL just underway, it was 35 years ago that Neil Young performed one of the show’s most legendary live performances. Backed by Charlie Drayton (bass), Steve Jordan (drums), and longtime sideman Frank ‘Poncho’ Sampedro (guitar) – a new band Young’s tentatively calling Young, CS&P – Young and his bandmates tore through “Rocking In The Free World,” a song featured on his album “Freedom” what would be released days later. “Rocking In The Free World” would become one of Young’s most potent anthems and a setlist standout. While the official live performance isn’t on YouTube cause of SNL rules, let’s watch the rehearsal almost as a singular standout in itself…
