Neil Young to Receive Humanitarian Juno

Iconic singer/songwriter Neil Young will be rewarded for his years of philanthropy. The 65-year-old will be the 2011 recipient of the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award at the 40th annual Juno Awards on March 27 in Toronto.

"We are thrilled to salute Neil Young's committed and compassionate legacy. As a driving force behind one of music's most successful fundraising events, Farm Aid, and a key participant in Live 8 right here at home, his tenacity and spirit is highly regarded among his peers, and serves as an inspiration to all of us." said Melanie Berry, president/CEO of the Junos.

In 1985, Young co-founded Farm Aid with Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp, a benefit concert to assist family farmers in keeping their land. Celebrating its 25th anniversary last year, Farm Aid has raised $37 million to date.

Also in 1985, Young collaborated with fellow Canadian musicians to record “Tears Are Not Enough”, a song to help raise funds for famine ravaged Ethiopia.

Along with his wife Pegi, Young co-founded The Bridge School in 1986 an organization and school whose impetus is help educate children with severe speech and physical impairments.

In his 40-plus-year career, Young has composed 37 studio albums. The icon is a five-time Juno Award winner, was inducted to the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1982 and has been inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2009, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Past recipients of the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award include Bryan Adams, Sarah McLachlan, Bruce Cockburn, and Tom Jackson.