Oops: NBC reports death of 'astronaut Neil Young'

No, Neil Young isn’t dead, as reported briefly by NBC News. The Canadian musician is no astronaut, but he has sung about the moon on occasion. NBC’s gaffe was corrected quickly but not before the jokes could take flight.

He sang Harvest Moon, no doubt. NBC's deadline slip: http://t.co/2bX1FMMc HT @byrontau @prouty

— Jeff Jarvis (@jeffjarvis) August 25, 2012

@jeffjarvis Easy mistake to make. Both were very, very high in the sixties.

— Paul Rothrock (@icelander) August 25, 2012

So, first man on the moon Neil Armstrong dies…and @nbcnews manage to confuse him with an ageing rock star. *headdesk* pic.twitter.com/aPH7FMXe

— Red Sky At Night (@redskyatnight) August 25, 2012

I step away from the computer for 5 minutes and NBC says Neil Young was the first man on the moon. DO NOT STEP AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER.

— China is lying (@jtLOL) August 25, 2012

Google search ties him to Tea Party #nbcfail @ByronTau: Seriously, NBC has "Astronaut Neil Young" up as a headline http://t.co/GNzhmmqL

— Tampa (@S1CT) August 25, 2012

NBC first reported that Neil YOUNG had died. Nice work, guys! #crackprofessionals

— Michael Walsh (@dkahanerules) August 25, 2012

@NBC reported that Neil Young died. ZOMG!!! Somebody please check on Neil Diamond and Neil Sedaka!!

— Ghost of DJ Roomba (@DarthVoorhees) August 25, 2012

In their defense, he *did* have a heart of gold. “@Gawker: NBC News first reported death of "astronaut Neil Young." http://t.co/hAUOJcq1”

— Boing Boing (@BoingBoing) August 25, 2012

https://twitter.com/thugby/status/239451686786191360