Singer-songwriter Neil Young demanded last Monday, the 24th, that his music be removed from Spotify. In an open letter published on his official website, the musician protests against the spread of misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine on the platform.
“I’m doing this because Spotify is spreading false information about vaccines – potentially causing the death of those who believe the misinformation they are spreading,” Young wrote in a letter addressed to Warner Bros. Records co-chairman Frank Gironda and COO Tom Corson .
The singer is complaining about the content of the podcast The Joe Rogan Experience , hosted by stand-up comedian Joe Rogan, available on the platform. “I want you to tell Spotify immediately, today, that I want all my music removed from the platform,” he added. “They can have [ Joe ] Rogan or Young. Not both.”
In September, the American actor was diagnosed with COVID-19. On his show, he downplayed the disease and vaccination. The content was removed from YouTube, but can still be accessed on Spotify.
Launched in 2009, the podcast “The Joe Rogan Experience” is among the most popular in the United States. In 2020, the streaming platform bought Rogan's programs for over US$100 million, according to the Wall Street Journal.