Young returns to Spotify after Rogan expands to new platforms

NEIL YOUNG will return his music to Spotify after boycotting the streaming service for two years over its relationship with podcaster Joe Rogan.

The 78-year-old Canadian-born singer-songwriter removed his entire catalogue in January 2022 in protest at Spotify’s exclusive hosting of Rogan’s chart-topping podcast.

Rogan’s show was criticised by scientists and medical professionals for spreading misinformation about Covid19 vaccines. It was a view shared by Young and other artists, such as Joni Mitchell and India Arie, who removed their songs in solidarity.

At the time, Young described Spotify as “the home of life-threatening Covid misinformation”.

He said: “Selling lies for money... they can have Rogan or Young. Not both.”

Young’s change of heart follows a multi-million dollar business decision by Rogan, who last month signed a new multi-year deal. The contract, which is believed to be worth $250 million (£195.2 million), includes the distribution of Rogan’s podcast by platforms other than Spotify.

These include Apple Podcasts, Youtube and Amazon Music. It means that

Rogan’s massively popular podcast The

Joe Rogan Experience is no longer exclusive to Spotify.

Writing on his website, Young said: “My decision comes as music services Apple and Amazon have started serving the same disinformation podcast features I had opposed at Spotify.

“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.”

Young said in January 2022 that Spotify represented 60 per cent of his streaming revenue globally, which amounted to “a huge loss” for his record company to absorb.

The Joe Rogan Experience is consistently the most-played podcast on Spotify. Its host has previously spoken of his disappointment with Young’s boycott, insisting that he was not intentionally giving a platform to Covid vaccine misinformation.

“I’m not trying to promote misinformation,” said Rogan, when Young’s boycott began. “I’m not trying to be controversial. I’ve never tried to do anything with this podcast other than to just talk to people. I do not know if they’re right... I’m not a doctor; I’m not a scientist. I’m just a person who sits and talks to people.”