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FYI

Music Biz Headlines, May 18, 2018

Alex Lifeson recalls a memorable early Rush gig, Rami Malek plays Freddie Mercury, and Serge Fiori and Richard Seguin revisit a Quebec rock classic. Others in the headlines include Joan Armatrading, Nyssa, Bhad Bhabie, Deadpool, Vancouver Cantata Singers, U2, Doc Walker, and Brooks Kerr.

Music Biz Headlines, May 18, 2018

By Kerry Doole

The time Rush opened for The New York Dolls in Toronto

Alex Lifeson recalls the memorable gig at burlesque venue The Victory Theatre –  West End Phoenix


Serge Fiori, Richard Séguin revisit ‘end of an era’ for Quebec rock

The iconic rockers reissue their classic 1978 album Deux cents nuits à l'heure, recorded as the top Quebec acts of the ‘70s were disbanding –  Brendan Kelly, Montreal Gazette

'I was born to write'… Joan Armatrading on Dylan, songwriting and stage fright

The songwriter, whose new album is Not Too Far Away, weighs in on Post Malone, recording with Queen and learning to play on a £3 guitar in a webchat  – The Guardian

Rami Malek looks like he gets everything right in Bohemian Rhapsody, including Freddie's famous overbite

The problem with 90 percent of all music biopics is that it’s impossible to separate the actors from the legends they are portraying –  Mike Usinger, Georgia Straight

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Classical music: Vancouver Cantata Singers celebrate 60 years

The Vancouver Cantata Singers' 60th birthday celebration pays respect to the past and sets the tone for future endeavours –  DG Duke, Vancouver Sun

Nyssa sings the untold stories of women in rock

The Toronto electro-glam musician has been in bands since she was a teenager and she's channelled her experiences into Champion Of Love –  Suzanne Andrew, NOW

Bhad Bhabie aimed to prove she's more than a viral gimmick at Mod Club

In front of a roaring crowd, the controversial Cash Me Outside girl showed she has some actual star power, but she was overshadowed by her dazzling opener –  Sumiko Wilson, NOW

Deadpool costume ‘felt like a nightmare,’ says dancer Yanis Marshall

Dancing in Céline Dion’s new “Ashes” music video for the Deadpool 2 soundtrack was anything but easy, he admits –  Victoria Ahearn, CP

At the Forum, U2 had the '90s on its mind

The Irish rockers show in LA reviewed –   Mikal Wood, LA Times

Ballet dancers find hope at the end of the world

This isn't the first time that contemporary dance has been served up by four-four rock grooves and electric guitar but it works –  Roger Levesque, Edmonton Journal

It's been an interesting journey for Doc Walker

Chris Thorsteinson is a little surprised when Doc Walker is referred to as a veteran band –  Jeff DeDekker, Regina Leader-Post

Piano prodigy Brooks Kerr stood in for Duke Ellington

Two years before Duke Ellington died at 75, he spent a week at the University of Wisconsin in Madison with his orchestra, teaching and performing in concert. Among the indispensable members of his entourage was a lean, legally blind 20-year-old pianist to whom Mr Ellington referred students in his master class  –  Sam Roberts, NYT news service

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 20: Celine Dion performs remotely via video during "The Songs Of John Farnham, The Celebration Concert" at Rod Laver Arena on September 20, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 20: Celine Dion performs remotely via video during "The Songs Of John Farnham, The Celebration Concert" at Rod Laver Arena on September 20, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

Music News

Celine Dion, Keith Urban, Chris Martin Lead All-Star John Farnham Tribute Concert

The concert doubled as a celebration of the 40th anniversary of "You're the Voice," released in September 1986.

An all-star lineup of Australian and international artists gathered in Melbourne on Sunday (Sept. 20) to honor John Farnham, the Australian music icon behind “You’re the Voice,” at a star-studded tribute concert at Rod Laver Arena.

Billed as The Songs of John Farnham: A Living Legend – The Celebration Concert, the one-off event drew more than 120 performers, a 38-piece orchestra and the John Farnham Band before a capacity crowd, with proceeds going to Head and Neck Cancer Australia. The concert launched the organization’s year-long Lend Your Voice campaign, aiming to raise $1 million for the charity that supported Farnham through his own cancer treatment since 2022. Emcee Richard Wilkins noted that Farnham has played the venue in a record 94 sold-out shows over his career — “so I guess tonight makes it 95,” he told the crowd.

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