Neil Young Demands Removal of His Music From Spotify Over Joe Rogan’s Spread of “Fake Information About Vaccines”

Reuters | January 25th, 2022

In an online letter that was later deleted, Neil Young, seen here in 2016, demanded Spotify remove his music from their platform for spreading misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines through some of their properties, including the 'Joe Rogan Experience' podcast. Photo: Rich Fury/Invision/AP/File/Canadian Press

Neil Young has demanded his music be removed from Spotify because they are “spreading” COVID-19 vaccine misinformation.

The legendary musician has requested — via an online letter to his record company he then deleted — his music be taken down because the streaming platform is “spreading fake information about vaccines” through some of its properties, citing comedian Joe Rogan’s podcast The Joe Rogan Experience as an example.

In the letter — which was shared by Rolling Stone — the 76-year-old singer/songwriter stated: “I want you to let Spotify know immediately TODAY that I want all my music off their platform. They can have [Joe] Rogan or Young. Not both

“I am doing this because Spotify is spreading fake information about vaccines — potentially causing death to those who believe the disinformation being spread by them. Please act on this immediately today and keep me informed of the time schedule.”

Rogan, 54, has come under fire many times throughout the ongoing pandemic due to comments he has made about coronavirus on his podcast.

Earlier this month, 270 doctors, scientists, healthcare professionals and professionals addressed an open letter to Spotify expressing their concerns about the medical misinformation being shared by Joe on his show which reaches 11 million listeners.

They requested the streamer to “establish a clear and public policy to moderate misinformation on its platform” and said the popular show had a “concerning history of broadcasting misinformation, particularly regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.”

They argued that the company had a “responsibility” to minimize the falsehoods stemming from their service.

It read: “Spotify has a responsibility to mitigate the spread of misinformation on its platform, though the company presently has no misinformation policy.”

This is not the first time Young has wanted to take his songs off the streaming service.

In 2015, he removed most of his back catalogue from Spotify — and their competitor Apple Music — citing concerns over sound quality.

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