Singer-songwriter Neil Young is back in Winnipeg, the place where his musical career began.

Born in Toronto and raised in Omemee, Ont., Young went to high school and played many of his first gigs in the Manitoba capital.

The 73-year-old folk rocker recorded his first major album, 鈥淓verybody Knows This Is Nowhere,鈥� after moving to California, but the dog by his side was named Winnipeg.

Many people in Winnipeg, where it鈥檚 regularly 鈥�20 C or colder in the winter, say the bitter temperatures breed creativity. The Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive also started there.

Neil Young and his band Crazy Horse were in Winnipeg to play two shows, on Sunday and Monday, but Young has been spotted all over the city since Saturday.

He鈥檚 been seen spending time with old friends, took in a hockey game and stopped by a drive-in restaurant where he bought strangers some burgers and fries.

Michelle Holyk just missed him at the restaurant, but that鈥檚 OK.

鈥淵ou know what?鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen famous people are here, we say 鈥榟i鈥� and we leave them alone,鈥� she said.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not like Hollywood (where) the paparazzi are always trying to take pictures and hassle them,鈥� she added.

Young shared a few moments from his visit on social media, including a selfie taken outside his former high school.

鈥淲hat a feeling to be home in Winnipeg, especially now, with all of you,鈥�

鈥淲e are having a memorable time here. There鈥檚 something very special about this visit with the Horse,鈥� he added. 鈥淪eeing the old places where I started with my first band ... then playing the night in this grand old theater ... surrounded by people I love. Life is surely good.鈥�