Pegi Young facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pegi Young
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Young in 1992
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Margaret Mary Morton
December 1, 1952 San Mateo, California, U.S.
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| Died | January 1, 2019 (aged 66) |
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| Years active | 1983–2019 |
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| Labels | Vapor/Warner Bros. |
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Pegi Young (born Margaret Mary Morton; December 1, 1952 – January 1, 2019) was an American singer, songwriter, and a person who cared deeply about the environment. She was also a teacher and someone who gave a lot of time and money to help others.
Contents
Music Career
Pegi Young started her singing journey in 1983. This was after she married the famous Canadian folk rock musician Neil Young in 1978. Her first time singing on stage was with a group called The Pinkettes. They were backup singers for her husband's "Shocking Pinks" tour.
In 1994, Pegi sang backup for Neil Young's song "Philadelphia" at the Academy Awards. This was her first time performing on national TV. The song was even nominated for an Oscar!
Pegi and Neil often performed together at their yearly Bridge School Benefit Concerts. Pegi also joined her husband on his tour in 2000 as a backup singer.
In 2007, Pegi released her first album, called Pegi Young. She recorded the songs in her home studio. Later, she released more albums: Foul Deeds (2010) and Bracing for Impact (2011). She toured and performed with her band, The Survivors. The band included talented musicians like Spooner Oldham on piano and Rick Rosas on bass.
Helping Others: The Bridge School
In 1986, Pegi Young helped start a special school called the Bridge School. This school was created to help children who have serious physical challenges and trouble speaking.
Pegi was inspired to create the school because of her own son, Ben. Ben was born with cerebral palsy. This is a condition that can affect how a person moves and speaks. For Ben, it made speaking and moving difficult. Pegi and Neil looked for schools that could help children like Ben, but they found that there weren't many good options.
Pegi started the school with the help of Jim Forderer, another parent, and Dr. Marilyn Buzolich.
To raise money and awareness for the school, Pegi and Neil started the Bridge School Benefit Concert. This concert happened every year from 1986 until 2016. Many famous musicians, like Bruce Springsteen and Metallica, performed at these concerts. The Bridge School has grown a lot since 1986. It is now known around the world. Many students from the Bridge School have been able to go back to regular schools after getting the special help they needed.
Pegi was the Executive Director of the Bridge School for seven years. She also served as the President of its Board of Directors from when it started until she passed away. She continued to organize the Bridge School Benefit concert every year.
Educational Support
Pegi Young also helped other organizations that support people with disabilities. She was on the board of A.R.T. (Artistic Realization Technologies). This group helps people with severe disabilities express themselves through art.
She also advised the AAC-RERC, which works on communication technology. She was on the Advisory Council for a center at Hampshire College that focuses on helpful technology and design.
For four years, Pegi was on the board of the Alliance for Technology Access. This group has centers across the country that help people with disabilities use technology to become more independent.
Caring for the Environment
Pegi Young was also passionate about protecting the environment. She performed at and hosted Farm Aid concerts with Neil Young in 2007 and 2012. Farm Aid helps family farmers.
In 2013, she joined the board of directors for Rainforest Connection. This organization works to stop trees from being cut down in rainforests. They use special technology to collect information in real-time to help protect these important forests.
Personal Life and Passing
Pegi Young was born Margaret Mary Morton in San Mateo, California, on December 1, 1952. Her parents were Thomas and Margaret Jean Morton.
She met Neil Young in 1974 when she was working as a waitress near his ranch. Neil even wrote a song about how they met called "Unknown Legend". They got married in August 1978. They had two children, Ben and Amber. Pegi also became a stepmother to Neil's first child, Zeke. Both Ben and Zeke had cerebral palsy, and Amber had epilepsy. Their marriage ended in 2014.
Pegi Young passed away from cancer on January 1, 2019. She was 66 years old. She died in Mountain View, California, which is close to where she was born.
Music Albums
- 2007 – Pegi Young
- 2010 – Foul Deeds
- 2012 – Bracing for Impact (with The Survivors)
- 2014 – Lonely in a Crowded Room (with The Survivors)
- 2016 – Raw (with The Survivors)
Awards and Recognition
- She was added to the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame in 1995.
- In 1999, she and Neil Young were honored by Rock the Vote for their important work with the Bridge School.
See also
In Spanish: Pegi Young para niños
