Neil Young Does The Daily Show; Preps Hurricane Sandy Benefit

Neil Young certainly got a lot of mileage out of this year. In addition to finishing two new albums with Crazy Horse, developing his own audio format, and releasing his memoir, Waging Heavy Peace, Young and the band teamed up to for a big international tour that will now run one date longer and wrap up in Atlantic City, NJ, on December 6 for a benefit concert for victims of Superstorm Sandy.

Young announced the additional date fresh off of his appearance on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart last night, where he discussed everything from Crazy Horse to Pono, his new audio format, player and download service.

Young also talked about writing his memoir and the public’s perception of him. In typical Neil-fashion, he made fun of the book’s cover, and the ominous stare he wears on it.

“See this guy here is just not happy looking,” Young said. “I don’t know why they always do that. It’s the pictures that make me look (unhappy)… And maybe some of the songs.”

Young also mused about his multifaceted interests and projects.

“I love trying to make things better, but just for me,” he said. “I’m not trying to change the world, I would just like it to be better so that when I look at it, it’s great.”

One of the most telling points of the interview was when Stewart questioned Young’s perpetual growth as an artist.

“I have found as I age I am less willing to self reflect – I am more rigid,” Stewart said. “You seem the opposite, growing as an individual, actualizing as a person, throughout your life. You know you can stop now.”

Young just cut a big grin.

“I’m having trouble stopping Jon,” he said. “I keep going.”