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An Easter Weekend Note To Our Readers
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Apr 19, 2019
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Olympics
Céline Dion performing at the 1996 Olympics
Culture
Céline Dion and Beyond: 5 Classic Olympics Performances By Canadian Musicians
Ahead of Céline Dion's highly-anticipated comeback performance at the Paris Olympics, revisit these previous showstoppers by iconic Canadians like k.d. lang, Robbie Robertson, and Dion herself.
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Superstar Céline Dion is set for a comeback performance at the Paris Olympics, but she isn't the first Canadian musician to step into the Olympic spotlight.
Since Olympics ceremonies began shifting towards showcasing the national culture of the host city — and booking celebrity entertainers to do so — Canadians have brought some major musical chops to the Olympic proceedings.
Here's a look back at some of the most memorable Olympics performances by Canadian musicians — including a previous appearance by Dion herself.
Calgary Winter Olympics, 1988: k.d. lang Blooms As The Alberta Rose
Before she broke through to a whole new level of fame with 1992's Ingenue, k.d. lang gained her first glimpse of international stardom with her performance at the closing ceremony of the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. Introduced as "The Alberta Rose," lang performed a rollicking version of her song "Turn Me Around," turning the ceremony into a hoedown. It wasn't the last time she'd shine on the Olympic world stage.
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Atlanta Summer Olympics, 1996: The Power of Céline
Céline was already a major star by the time she was tapped to channel the Olympic spirit at the 1996 opening ceremony in Atlanta, Georgia. "The Power of the Dream," written by fellow Canadian David Foster alongside Linda Thompson and Babyface, is a classic Dion power ballad, key change and all. The performance is pure Céline: seemingly effortless vocal gymnastics paired with an infectious passion, strong enough to make anyone believe they could win gold. It's all the more inspiring to watch now, knowing what Céline herself has been through as she battles Stiff Person Syndrome and prepares to sing again.
Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, 2002: Robbie Robertson's Unity Song
After leaders from five Native American nations — the Ute Nation, the Goshute Nation, the Shoshone Nation, the Paiute Nation and the Navajo Nation — welcomed athletes at the Salt Like City opening ceremony in 2002, Robbie Robertson took to the stage. The late songwriter and guitarist of The Band, who had Cayuga and Mohawk heritage, performed the song "Stomp Dance (Unity)," also featured on his 1998 album Contact From The Underworld of Redboy. Accompanied by Rita Coolidge, Sadie Buck and Jackie Bird, as well as dancers and a figure skater, Robertson led a beautiful celebration.
His performance begins around the hour and 28 minute mark.
Vancouver Winter Olympics, 2010: Neil Young's 'Long May You Run'
There's no shortage of memorable Canadian performances from the Vancouver Winter Olympics, from the upcoming Billboard Canada Women in Music Icon Alanis Morissette with a wintry version of "Wunderkind," to lang's suave return to the Olympic stage with one of the definitive versions of Leonard Cohen's oft-covered "Hallelujah." But there's something timeless about this Neil Young number from the closing ceremony. Performing with just his acoustic guitar and a harmonica, Young strips away all the typical pomp and circumstance of the Olympics, to get at the heart of what it means to run your race, whether you win or lose. Watch the official performance here.
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Bonus Track: A Memorable National Anthem at Montreal's 1976 Olympics
The Montreal Summer Olympics were infamously fraught, boycotted by many African countries due to New Zealand's links with Apartheid South Africa, as well as racking up massive debt for the city. But they did produce a memorable iteration of the Canadian national anthem that was played in schools for decades. Arranged by acclaimed jazz musician Vic Vogel, the dynamic version features booming horns and flourishing strings, and would go on to be used as a sign-off for TV stations and featured in a 1979 NFB short.
The 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony begins Friday, July 26, at 1 p.m. EST, and will air on CBC.
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