Who Wants to be a Rockstar?
Buffalo Springfield broke up in 1968 after spending just two years together. They reformed for a private rehearsal in the mid-1980s, but after Neil Young opted to not reunite, drummer Dewey Martin and bassist Bruce Palmer hit the road with new members under the moniker Buffalo Springfield Revisited."
Frank Wilks became the 'new member' who replaced Neil Young in the band. Frank was just 29 years old when he hit the road with Bruce Palmer, Dewey Martin and Stan Endersby. It was a baptism of sex and drugs and rock & roll. You can find a complete biography here on Frank's website.
More NEIL Than Neil
"This guy sounds more like Neil Young than I do.”
- Neil Young
"You're not Neil Young, buddy."
- Everybody, Everywhere
"I have been told that I sound so much like Neil Young that when people close their eyes, they could swear it was actually Neil himself performing. Now is that normal? You see, when you sing a song many times by another artist, part of you becomes that singer. I mean what’s wrong with that? I admire Neil Young. But I must not let this Neil Young thing possess me..."
'I Am Not Neil Young' - Excerpt from opening monolgue
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When Frank and the boys hit the road as Buffalo Springfield Revisited, they were touring with the likes of The Guess Who and Iron Butterfly, playing to crowds of 50,000 at the Hollywood Bowl. And they were partying like rock stars.
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Despite the booze & drugs, Frank and Bruce Palmer managed to keep it on the rails for five years. In the end, however, the lure of drugs was stronger, and for Frank it marked the beginning of a long, twisting descent into addiction.
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Frank Wilks in 'I Am Not Neil Young' live at the 2008 London Fringe
Festival. Image courtesy: Joseph W. Samuels
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'I AM NOT NEIL YOUNG - THE MUSICAL' follows Frank Wilks' rise to fame, precipitous fall, and long road to recovery. It's a story about addiction, recovery, and redemption. Ultimately, it's a story about finding yourself... Even if you're not Neil Young.
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'I Am Not Neil Young' is a multimedia presentation that includes live musical performance and dialogue, along with pre-recorded video, audio and lighting. See the Media section of our website for more images, YouTube video, and audio tracks from the show.
