Neil Young has announced he intends to remove his music from streaming services.

He made the announcement on Facebook, and said it was motivated by “the worst sound quality available in the history of broadcasting.”

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Neil Young's Facebook page
Neil Young’s Facebook page

He wrote: “Streaming has ended for me. I hope this is ok for my fans.
It’s not because of the money, although my share (like all the other artists) was dramatically reduced by bad deals made without my consent.

“It’s about sound quality. I don’t need my music to be devalued by the worst quality in the history of broadcasting or any other form of distribution. I don’t feel right allowing this to be sold to my fans. It’s bad for my music.
For me, It’s about making and distributing music people can really hear and feel. I stand for that.

“When the quality is back, I’ll give it another look. Never say never.
Neil Young”

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Young is currently on the road with his Rebel Content tour with Promise Of The Real, in support of his new album, The Monsanto Years.

Among the highlights of the tour so far, Neil Young played “Hippie Dream” for the first time in 18 years during this show at Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, Nebraska on July 11, 2015.

“Hippie Dream” appeared on Young’s 1986 album, Landing On Water. Young last played the song on August 24, 1997 at the Coral Sky Amphitheatre, West Palm Beach, Florida.

During his 29 song set, Young also played “Bad Fog Of Loneliness” for the first time since 2008, “Words” and “Out On The Weekend” for the first time since 2009.

Young has also dusted down a number of other deep cuts on this current tour. On the opening night on July 5, 2015 at Marcus Amphitheatre, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he played “Don’t Be Denied” for the first time in 12 years, Greendale’s “Double E” for the first time in 10 years and performed Ragged Glory track, “White Line”, live for only the sixth time.

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Meanwhile, the August 2015 issue of Uncut is in shops now – featuring David Byrne, Sly & The Family Stone, BB King and the death of the blues, The Monkees, Neil Young, Merle Haggard and more.

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