Pitchfork

Revered rock icon Neil Young is in a New York hospital tonight after suffering a brain aneurysm. Fortunately, having undergone minimally invasive neuroradiology on Tuesday, the prognosis is good. According a statement from Young's agent, Bob Merlis, the procedure "corrected the problem and has been characterized as a complete success with a total recovery. And resumption of normal activities by the 59-year-old rock legend is predicted for the near future." In the meantime, Young is resting up.

The first signs of trouble came on March 14, after a performance with the Pretenders at New York's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, when Young began experiencing visual field disturbances. Shortly thereafter, he was given an MRI scan, which revealed a blood vessel had burst in his brain. Surgery was scheduled for this week. Young passed the time between the diagnosis and procedure recording in a Nashville studio.

Weill Cornell Medical Center's Dr. Pierre Gobin, who, with assistance from another doctor, performed the procedure, said Young "is now resting comfortably... but we strongly recommend that he not travel for several days." It's advice Young has taken to heart: He's cancelled an appearance he was scheduled to make this Sunday at Canada's Juno Awards in order to allow himself adequate time to fully recover. "I grew up [in Winnipeg] and was really looking forward to the show as well as spending some time with my old friends and family," said Young in a press statement. "Thanks to my doctors, I'm feeling a lot better now, so I hope I can get a rain check."

Melanie Berry, president of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, sends her condolences: "Our thoughts are with Mr. Young tonight as he recuperates in New York," she said. "Of course, we are disappointed that he is unable to attend Sunday's Juno Awards; however, I know I speak on behalf of our broadcast partner CTV and our production partner Insight Productions in our wish for his full and speedy recovery."