Spotify announced on Wednesday (Jan. 26) that it is granting Neil Young’s wish and removing the singer-songwriter’s music from the platform.
The decision came two days after the 76-year-old published an open letter, first reported by Rolling Stone, in which he requested that his catalog be pulled from the streaming service, due to the spread of vaccine misinformation on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast. “They can have Rogan or Young. Not both,” Young wrote in the letter, which was addressed to his manager as well as the co-chairman and COO of Warner Records, which releases Young’s music through its Reprise Records imprint.
Young’s request was honored and Spotify removed the singer-songwriter’s catalog from its services. The musician penned two more open letters after the announcement. “Losing 60% of worldwide streaming income by leaving SPOTIFY is a very big deal, a costly move, but worth it for our integrity and beliefs,” he wrote. “Misinformation about COVID is over the line.”
Additionally, in light of the news, Sirius XM announced that Young’s namesake show will be making a second limited run on the platform, and will feature exclusive stories and music from the veteran rock musician’s decades-long career.
“When you have an opportunity to present an iconic artist still at the height of his creativity, you don’t hesitate to do it, again,” Steve Blatter, SiriusXM svp and general manager of music programming, said in a statement. “Outspoken, brave, and a true music icon, Neil Young is in a rare class of artists, and we are honored to collaborate with him to create a special audio experience for his fans.”
In support of the “Heart of Gold” singer, his fans have begun a boycott against Spotify, tweeting that they are canceling their subscriptions with the hashtags #SpotifyDeleted and #CancelSpotify, both of which were trending on Twitter.
We’ve compiled a few fan reactions who have rallied in support of Young. See them below.
We are three years into a pandemic, millions are dead & Spotify is supporting Joe Rogan – perhaps the single biggest superspreader of Covid misinformation in the 🌎. Coz he’s brings in the 🤑
I’m cancelling my membership and you should too. #BoycottSpotify #Spotify #NeilYoung pic.twitter.com/fs0yXg8hxJ
— kate_the_khemist (she/her) (@katethekhemist) January 27, 2022
I just deleted Spotify. Thanks #NeilYoung #BoycottSpotify
— Andie's Place❤️🇨🇦🌺🐾 (@AndiePlace) January 27, 2022
We’re deleting our Spotify! Thanks #NeilYoung, an incredible musician and great Canadian 🇨🇦 who stands up for what is right! #BoycottSpotify
— Suzanne Charest (@SuzanneCharest) January 27, 2022
Goodbye @Spotify. You’ve chosen profits and greed over science, ethics and doing the right thing. #cancelspotify #Spotifydeleted #SpotifyPremium pic.twitter.com/zsNG2ur7nQ
— AngryBoomer (@stevelpetty) January 27, 2022
#Spotifydeleted
It's not about #CancelCulture – It's about how I choose to spend my time. I won't be choosing @Spotify.If #JoeRogan is the hill you want to die on, (quite literally) then you're on your own… pic.twitter.com/wlFG1J7ftg
— Eugene Eugenius 🌊 (@CrockerBoy) January 27, 2022
I’m deleting @Spotify. You should too. Vaccine disinformation is not cool. #DeleteSpotify #Spotifydeleted https://t.co/14HeH5bCTo
— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) January 27, 2022
Can you imagine picking Joe Rogan over Neil Young for anything? Btw, you’re supposed to be a MUSIC service. Talk about selling out. #cancelspotify
— Gregory Horowitz (@GregoryHorowit5) January 26, 2022
Now I'm laying in bed seriously thinking I need to #cancelspotify because they chose Rogan over Neil Young. pic.twitter.com/ljnkI9n0JY
— Beck Roode (@BeckyRoode) January 27, 2022
I just canceled Spotify for supporting Joe Rogan.#BoycottSpotify #cancelspotify #DeleteSpotify
— Vet Squared 🇺🇸🇩🇪🇲🇫 (@EatBillionaires) January 27, 2022