The bitching has already begun.
The boo-hooing about the Canadian Live 8 concert scheduled for next Saturday in Barrie has reached a fever pitch, thanks to a lineup that represents the old gray mares of the Canadian music industry.
(Not that, um, Celine Dion's face resembles anything equine.)
Hence we have Barenaked Ladies, Tom Cochrane, Tragically Hip, Dion, Bryan Adams, Bruce Cockburn, Jann Arden, Great Big Sea, Rita MacNeil, The Nylons ...
Oh, wait -- strike the last two.
Their rightful spots were filled by American acts Deep Purple and Motley Crue.
In that order.
So people moan, where are this country's truly young and hot acts?
Why is it we get stuck with the Bachman Cummings Band?
And, finally, where's Corey Hart?
(No, seriously -- where is Corey Hart? If anyone knows, can they get in touch with me. I miss him so.)
Sure it's a predictable lineup, one that despite the presence of Sam Roberts, Calgarians Tegan and Sara, and Simple Plan has an average performer's age of 108.
And, yes, the suffering of those actually sitting through the show would probably be a close approximation of what those in Africa are going through.
But people who actually take the time to complain are missing the entire point -- it's Live 8!
The whole purpose of the concert is to raise as much money as possible by reaching the widest possible audience -- sometimes known as the lowest common denominator.
Pssst. This is what the general public likes in music -- what they know and are familiar with.
This is what they listen to.
And this is what they'll support, as the already sold-out show would seem to indicate.
So please, save your discussions about the sad state of the Canadian music industry for when it's really needed, like the Junos or commercial rock radio, not an all-day event when quantity not quality is needed in order to save some lives.
And by the way does anyone remember the original Live Aid?
Two words: Spandau Ballet.
Sure, there were some great performances by acts such as Elvis Costello, Dire Straits and the Style Council, but there were a whole lot more bad ones by Sting, Status Quo and Kenny Loggins.
And, while we're at it, just be thankful you live in Canada and not Germany, where other than Green Day and Audioslave, the "highlights" are Chris de Burgh and A-ha.
And maybe David Hasselhoff.
RAMONE MANIA
Ramones fans are in for a treat with the August release of a new box set called Weird Tales of the Ramones.
The three-CD, one DVD greatest hits collection from Rhino will feature 85 tracks and all of the band's Sire Records videos with interviews of the members.
Making it a must-have for collectors is the book included which features the specially commissioned artwork by graphic novel and comic book artists including Mad Magazine's Sergio Aragones, Love & Rockets creator Xaime Hernandez and Bill Griffiths of Zippy the Pinhead fame.
The box set will be in stores Aug. 16.
QUICK HITS:
Alt country posterboy Ryan Adams was forced to pull out of this weekend's Glastonbury Festival in England because of an ear infection, nme.com is reporting. Adams is scheduled to play the Edmonton folk fest in August. Local promoters were trying to get a one-off Calgary show surrounding that date but nothing could be worked out ... A challenge to you: Knowing the rumour about Lindsay Lohan's appearance in the aptly named Herbie Fully Loaded film, go see it and try not to spend the entire 90 minutes staring at her chest ... Sign of the impending apocalypse No. 18: The chart battle this week was a dogfight between Coldplay and The Backstreet Boys. Who won? Sadly, this is a fight where there are no winners ... And finally, one more concert rumour to start your week off on the right note. Immensely popular alternative metal act System of A Down will be coming to the Saddledome in the fall. Keep reading the Sun for all of the details as -- or before -- they become available.
Full Live 8 Coverage
