The Canadian songstress and the E Street Band member make the decisions after Neil challenges the platform to choose between him and Joe Rogan, who has been accused of spreading COVID misinformation.
- Jan 30, 2022
AceShowbiz - Joni Mitchell and Nils Lofgren have followed Neil Young's footsteps in ditching Spotify over COVID-19 misinformation. The "Big Yellow Taxi" singer and the E Street Band member recently announced that they're removing their music from the platform.
"I've decided to remove all my music from Spotify," the Canadian singer/songwriter said in a statement on Friday, January 28. "Irresponsible people are spreading lies that are costing people their lives. I stand in solidarity with Neil Young and the global scientific and medical communities on this issue."
Nils, meanwhile, made the announcement on Neil's website. "A few days ago, my wife Amy and I became aware of Neil and [Daryl Hannah] standing with hundreds of health care professionals, scientists, doctors and nurses in calling out Spotify for promoting lies and misinformation that are hurting and killing people," he noted.
"When these heroic women and men, who've spent their loves healing and saving ours, cry out for help you don't turn your back on them for money and power. You listen and stand with them," he added. "As I write this letter, we've now gotten the last 27 years of my music taken off Spotify. We are reaching out to the labels that own my earlier music to have it removed as well."
"Neil and I go back 53 years. Amy and I are honored and blessed to call Neil and Daryl friends, and knew standing with them was the right choice," Nils further noted. "We encourage all musicians, artists and music lovers everywhere, to stand with us all, and cut ties with Spotify."
On Wednesday, Spotify confirmed that it has started removing Neil's songs after the crooner challenged it to choose between him and Joe Rogan, who has been accused of spreading misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines. In a statement, the company said, "We regret Neil's decision to remove his music from Spotify, but hope to welcome him back soon."
However, Neil insisted that he's not trying to censor "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast host. "I support free speech," the musician declared, according to Rolling Stone. "I have never been in favor of censorship."
"Private companies have the right to choose what they profit from, just as I can choose not to have my music support a platform that disseminates harmful information," he explained further. "I am happy and proud to stand in solidarity with the front line health care workers who risk their lives every day to help others."
