Young's work is characterized by a distinctive guitar work, lyricsand inclined "very personal signature / tenor vocals. Although he accompanies himself on various instruments, including piano and harmonica, playing his acoustic guitar andclawhammer special electrical the defining characteristic sounds ragged variably. and melodies Although Young has experimented with different musical styles, including electronic music swingand varied career, the best known work generally falls into two main styles: acoustic folk rock and country , hard rock or reinforced in collaboration with the band Crazy Horse. Young has also adopted elements of the new styles like alternative rock and grunge. The effect on the latter causing some to dub him "Godfather of Grunge".
Young is a staunch defender of the environment and the welfare of small farmers, having co-founded in 1985 Farm Aid benefit concert. In 1986, Young helped found the Bridge School, an educational organization for children with physical and verbal abuse are severe, and support annual Bridge School benefit concerts with his wife Pegi Young (nee Morton). Young had three children: Children Zeke (born on his relationship with actress Carrie Snodgress) and Ben, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and her daughter Amber Jean, as Young himself, with epilepsy . Young lived at the ranch in La Honda, California. Although he lived in northern California since 1970 and also sang frequently on themes and subjects of the United States as it does on its native country, he maintained Canadian citizenship, which he does has never wanted to let go. On July 14, 2006, Young was awarded the Order of Manitoba. On December 30, 2009, he was appointed Officer of the Order of Canada.