Neil Young returns to Spotify after 2-year hiatus following Joe Rogan controversy

Neil Young is returning to Spotify two years after he removed his music due to Joe Rogan's podcast on the streaming platform "spreading fake information."

In a letter posted to Young's website on Tuesday, he said he decided to return to Spotify because "music services Apple and Amazon started serving the same disinformation podcast" that he opposed during his initial strike.

"I cannot just leave Apple and Amazon, like I did Spotify, because my music would have very little streaming outlet to music lovers at all, so I have returned to Spotify," he continued.

Taking a swipe at what he calls Spotify's low-resolution audio, Young added: "I have returned to Spotify, in sincere hopes that Spotify sound quality will improve and people will be able to hear and feel all the music as we made it."

In September, Billboard estimated Young would have lost $300,000 after he pulled his music from the streamer.

As of Wednesday morning, his full catalogue has not been restored on Spotify. USA TODAY has reached out to reps for Young and Spotify.

In January 2022, Young condemned Spotify for having "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast on the service in a letter, since removed from online: "Spotify is spreading fake information about vaccines – potentially causing death to those who believe the disinformation being spread by them."

"I want you to let Spotify know immediately TODAY that I want all my music off their platform," Young said. "They can have (Joe) Rogan or Young. Not both."

Graham Nash, who has recorded and performed with Young in Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (along with David Crosby and Stephen Stills), echoed his one-time bandmate in a statement released Tuesday. 

"Having heard the Covid disinformation spread by Joe Rogan on Spotify, I completely agree with and support my friend, Neil Young and I am requesting that my solo recordings be removed from the service," he said in a statement.

Rogan's podcast library was acquired by Spotify in 2020 in a deal reportedly worth more than $100 million, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The podcast host, who tested positive for COVID-19 in September 2022, has been critical of safety measures against the virus on his platform and had downplayed the need for mass vaccines for large events like comedy shows.

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Following Young's protest, Spotify chief executive Daniel Ek disclosed that the music streaming service would add content advisories before podcasts discussing the virus. 

"Personally, there are plenty of individuals and views on Spotify that I disagree with strongly," Ek wrote. "It is important to me that we don’t take on the position of being content censor while also making sure that there are rules in place and consequences for those who violate them."

Several artists including including Joni Mitchell and India.Arie followed Young's suit and removed their catalog's from Spotify. India.Arie has since restored her content.

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Contributing: Mike Snyder