Now known for his prodigious recording , his prolific songwriting , and his unquestionable musical integrity , Neil Young delivered his most popular and , perhaps, most influential album in February 1972 to an eager audience who embraced this organic countrified masterpiece . Only Bob Dylan‘s groundbreaking Nashville Skyline three years earlier equals Neil Young’s Harvest as the touchstones for the whole Americana musical genre . Young’s first hits “Heart of Gold” and “Old Man” pushed Harvest to the #1 album of the entire year 40 years ago . Harvest made Neil Young a star and , just as significantly , served as an all-access pass to mainstream success to follow by a long list of singer/songwriters as diverse as Willie Nelson , Waylon Jennings , Jackson Browne , the Nitty Gritty Dirt band , Charlie Daniels , and the Marshall Tucker Band…and that was just for starters . Neil joins me from his tour bus for this essential classic rock interview . – Redbeard