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FYI

Spirit Of John Benefit Features A Platinum Single Presentation

Inspired by Spirit Of The West singer John Mann, this annual fundraiser for The Alzheimer Society Music Project regularly draws star guests. This year's event featured a special honour for the host band (pictured).

Spirit Of John Benefit Features A Platinum Single Presentation

By FYI Staff

Toronto’s Phoenix Concert Theatre recently hosted the annual Spirit of John concert benefiting The Alzheimer Society Music Project, which helps those who have dementia rediscover pleasure in the world through the power of music.


The concert series began in 2015 when Spirit of the West singer and main co-writer John Mann was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s. Joining SOTW on stage were guests including Serena Ryder, Jim Cuddy, Jessica Mitchell, Royal Wood, all exchanging vocal duties.

During the intermission and live auction led by the Alzheimer Society of Toronto, the band surprised fans with the news their classic hit “Home For A Rest,” performed earlier in the evening with Damhnait Doyle, had now officially reached Platinum status in Canada. Members of True North Records’ team then brought an official custom Platinum plaque on stage, which the band members autographed and auctioned off. The song is featured on the group's 1990 album, Save This House, and its video, is now approaching 1M YouTube views. More info on The Alzheimer Society Music Project here.

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Not By Choice on MuchOnDemand on MuchMusic in 2002.
Courtesy Photo

Not By Choice on MuchOnDemand on MuchMusic in 2002.

FYI

Obituary: Mike Bilcox of Ajax, Ontario Pop-Punk Band Not By Choice

Former drummer and now head of Round One Sports & Entertainment Liam Killeen pens this tribute to his former bandmate, with words from The Feldman Agency's Jeff Craib, Sum 41's Dave Baksh, Simple Plan's Chuck Comeau and more.

Mike Bilcox, lead singer and guitarist of Ajax, Ontario’s second most famous pop-punk band, Not By Choice, passed away on June 21, at age 48.

Mike started Not By Choice with his Ajax High School friend Glenn ‘Chico’ Dunning back in 1997. They had initially played a few shows under different names that may or may not be suitable for print, but our moniker came from Mike bothering his younger sister Chrissy at the dinner table. When she couldn’t take any more of his taunting, she promptly told her Mom, Pat, that he was annoying her – Pat yelled ‘Well, he’s your brother!’ to which Chrissy quickly replied ‘Yeah, not by choice!’. With that, a real band was born.

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