A cover of Forever Young from Neil Young and Grateful Dead has been praised for its “moving” quality.
The Bob Dylan hit has been covered countless times by musicians across the globe, but Young and The Dead’s cover is particularly affecting. Their cover of Forever Young comes from a performance date to March 11, 1991. Those who are watching footage of the cover, which has been uploaded to YouTube, call it a “special” moment from the music legends. Dylan had toured with Grateful Dead in the mid-80s and released Dylan and the Dead as a result of the tour. Praise for the cover was found in the comments of an upload of the performance, which many consider to be a “moving” rendition of the Biograph song.
Though Dylan recorded the song during the Planet Waves sessions, it would first appear on an official release five years later. A live version of Forever Young can be found on the At Budokan release. It was later featured on Biograph and has become one of Dylan’s greatest songs. A cover from Young and Grateful Dead was praised by fans, with many suggesting it captures the tone of the original.
One fan wrote: “I was there that special day. The vibes that day were magic, hitting you right in the centre of your being. It was very powerful and moving. I am sure Bill Graham would of been pleased. It brings tears to my heart every time I go back to it.”
The performance of Forever Young was performed during a benefit tribute concert for Graham, a promoter who had worked with artists like Jefferson Airplane and Janis Joplin. Another fan added: “My brother was at this one.
“I was envious when I heard Neil played with the band. I caught a number of California Dead shows but none in Golden Gate Park. I did see Bill Graham at his final new year and was able to thank him face to face.”
A third shared: “Sad but great day. Tops my concert list but I never saw a day on the green. Free didn’t see one hassle. Had the top bench across the field from the stage. Got there at 5am.”
Not everyone was thrilled by the performance, and while the occasion may have been a surprise for those who turned up to attend, others called the cover “horrible”. One person fumed: “Terrible performance!” Another added: “This is brutal.” A third simply wrote: “Horrible.” A full setlist, and footage of the Forever Young cover, can be found below.
- Hell in a Bucket
- China Cat Sunflower
- I Know You Rider
- Wang Dang Doodle (Willie Dixon cover)
- Born on the Bayou (Creedence Clearwater Revival cover with John Fogerty)
- Green River (Creedence Clearwater Revival cover with John Fogerty)
- Bad Moon Rising (Creedence Clearwater Revival cover with John Fogerty)
- Proud Mary (Creedence Clearwater Revival cover with John Fogerty)
- Truckin’
- The Other One
- Wharf Rat
- Sunshine Daydream
- Forever Young (Bob Dylan cover with Neil Young)
- Touch of Grey
