Canadian Artists, Including City and Colour, Sarah Harmer, Ruby Waters Are Throwing Neil Young an 80th Birthday Concert

Canadian musicians are throwing Neil Young a birthday party.

In honour of the singer-songwriter’s 80th birthday, artists are coming together to celebrate the influential and prolific artist on November 12 at Massey Hall.

Hosted by CBC’s Tom Power, NY80: A Celebration of Neil Young and His Music features a Canadian-driven artist lineup, including City and Colour, Charlotte Cornfield, Serena Ryder, Kathleen Edwards, Charlotte Cornfield, Ruby Waters, Sarah Harmer, Matt Mays, Joel Plaskett, Sate, Julian Taylor, Skye Wallace, Tom and Thompson Wilson, Donovan Woods, Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo and members of July Talk, The Dirty Nil, The OBGMs and Big Sugar. More artists are set to be announced.

The show will include a house band fronted by musician and producer Aaron Goldstein (City and Colour, Kathleen Edwards), and feature Toronto musicians and vocalists, including Blue Rodeo’s Glenn Milchem, The Sheepdogs’ Shamus Currie and indie guitarist Ian Blurton. The 11-piece group will cover Young’s nearly six-decade-long discography, including songs from Buffalo Springfield, Stray Gators and Crazy Horse.

For Dale Gago of Howl Entertainment, the event’s organizer, the event has been a long time coming.

"I've wanted to stage this event for a number of years, so I’m excited it’s finally happening," Gago says. “Neil Young is one of our greatest artists, and I’m grateful all of these amazing musicians are going to take the stage together to celebrate him on his 80th birthday.”

All proceeds from the event will be donated to Canadian music education charity, MusiCounts.

"Neil Young is nothing short of a legend in Canada and beyond,” added Kristy Fletcher, president of MusiCounts. “MusiCounts is honoured to recognize his legacy through NY80, and will be investing the proceeds in school music programs across the country."

While Young isn’t already confirmed to attend, Gago says he will be invited.