Neil Young’s original handwritten lyric manuscript for his song "Opera Star," one page, 8.5 x 11, no date but circa 1980. The song appeared as the first track on Re·ac·tor, his 1981 album with Crazy Horse. In very good to fine condition, with some light toning, scattered small stains, and loss to the upper left corner tip.
This manuscript was exhibited at the National Music Centre of Canada in 2018, as part of a Neil Young exhibit. Accompanied by a letter of provenance from longtime Neil Young associate Joel Bernstein, which reads, in part: “This letter is to authenticate Neil Young’s handwritten lyric manuscript to his song “Opera Star.” Neil gave this to me not too long after recording the song on December 8, 1980. I photographed Neil Young for the first time at his first East Coast show with Crazy Horse, at the Bitter End in New York City, in February 1969. I went on to work with Neil extensively, as both his and CSNY’s tour photographer, and shooting him for eighteen of his album covers (including After The Gold Rush, Harvest, Time Fades Away, Tonight’s The Night, Decade and Rust Never Sleeps).” Also includes a promo copy of the 45 RPM single 'Opera Star / Surfer Joe and Moe the Sleaze,' and copies of emails from the National Music Centre of Canada.
Rolling Stone magazine listed “Opera Star” as #14 on its list '20 Insanely Great Neil Young Songs Only Hard Core Fans Know' and noted: 'Re·ac·tor remains one of the most underrated albums in Neil Young’s catalog. Recorded with Crazy Horse just two years after the Rust Never Sleep tour, it kicks off with 'Opera Star,' the story of a fu#k-up that learns he’s not meant for the world of high art.'
Neil Young owns most of his original lyric manuscripts and to our knowledge only two others have been offered for sale publicly. A museum-quality Neil Young collectible with exceptional provenance.
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