Neil Young's Heartache: A Rock Legend Banned from His Grandchildren

NEIL YOUNG'S SECRET FAMILY HEARTACHE: ROCK LEGEND BANNED FROM SEEING GRANDCHILDREN AFTER BITTER FALLOUT WITH DAUGHTER AMBER JEAN

In a shocking revelation, rock legend Neil Young has opened up about his secret family heartache, revealing that he's been banned from seeing his two young grandchildren after a bitter falling out with his daughter Amber Jean. The singer-songwriter, who headlined Glastonbury and Hyde Park shows this summer, poured his anguish into deeply personal lyrics on his new album, Talkin' to the Trees.

The heart-wrenching songs are a stark contrast to Young's gentle folk songs about his family in his younger days. In one song called Family Life, he refers to his daughter by name, singing: "Might be one I wrote for my grandchildren who I can't see, But I'll sing it from the heart and that'll be the easy part, Singing for Ronan and Allyah so they know just how I feel." The lyrics are a poignant cry from the heart of a father who's been separated from his loved ones.

According to insiders, Young, 79, has not seen Amber or her children - son Ronan, eight, and daughter Allyah, six - for a number of years. The rift is thought to have occurred in the aftermath of the death of Amber's mother Pegi, who passed away from ovarian cancer aged 66 in 2019.

Young's marriage to Pegi was marred by his infidelity, which led to their separation and eventual divorce. He left Pegi for Hollywood actress Daryl Hannah, with whom he married in August 2018. The couple began dating four years earlier, much to the dismay of Young's children, who felt betrayed by their father's actions.

Amber, 41, was devastated by her mother's death and has since spoken about how she struggled to cope with her grief. She posted a photo of her family with Young on Instagram in April 2021, saying: "Reunited. This week I saw my dad and Daryl for the first time in well over a year and my heart is full." However, it appears that their relationship has since broken down.

Young's new album features songs that are a scathing indictment of his daughter's behavior. In one song called Dark Mirage, he sings: "Well, I lost my little girl now, To the darkness inside, Her mama is gone now, And there's nowhere to hide." The lyrics suggest that Amber has turned against her father and is hiding from him.

The rift between Young and his daughter is said to have occurred around the time Amber held a month-long exhibition at a gallery in Palo Alto, California as a personal tribute to her mother. The exhibition, called Pegi's Garden, featured colorful floral and garden-themed works that Amber painted to help process her grief.

Young has been open about his relationship with his children, particularly Ben, who suffers from cerebral palsy. He wrote a song called Ben, which he sang at his son's benefit concert in 2001. Young has also been involved in various charity work, including building a special train set for Ben to help his development.

In contrast, Amber seems to have moved on with her life, living outside San Francisco with her husband Rajib Chowdhury and their two children. She is a painter and ceramic artist, and has spoken about how she found solace in art after her mother's death.

As for Young, he seems to be reaching out to his daughter and grandchildren through his music. The insider said: "It feels like Young is trying to reconnect with his family before it's too late." But will Amber and her children respond to their father's overtures? Only time will tell.

The album Talkin' to the Trees is a deeply personal and emotional work, which explores themes of love, loss, and heartache. It's a far cry from Young's usual protest songs and environmental activism, but it's a testament to his ability as a songwriter to tap into the human experience.

As one fan wrote on Young's official archive site: "Man, talk to your kids over the phone, not on an album." Another fan asked: "What the f* did Amber do?" The answers lie in the lyrics of Young's songs, which are a complex and deeply personal exploration of family dynamics and relationships.

Young has been married three times, including his marriage to Daryl Hannah. His first wife was Susan Acevedo, with whom he had two children, Zeke and Ben. Zeke suffers from cerebral palsy, while Ben is severely disabled. Young's relationship with Daryl Hannah began when they worked together on an environmental documentary for Greenpeace.

When their relationship was revealed, shocked friends included the late David Crosby, who branded Daryl a "poisonous predator" before later apologizing for the remark. However, Young defended his partner as "a wonderful human being," saying: "We're very lucky to have found each other."

Pegi Young, who passed away in 2019, was also a songwriter and released five albums of her own. Her final album, Raw, was inspired by the heartbreak of her split from Young.

As for Amber Jean, she has not commented on the controversy surrounding her relationship with her father. But one thing is clear: the rift between Young and his daughter is a complex and deeply personal issue that will be explored in more detail as this story unfolds.

Sources:

• The Scholarly Note (thescholarlynote.com)
• Various other sources, including interviews and articles from reputable publications.