rock

Saturday July 23, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Saturday July 23, 2016 Tragically Hip tour, 1st since Gord Downie's cancer revelation, kicks off in Victoria Fans are breathlessly anticipating the Tragically Hip concert tonight in Victoria. It's the first show of the band's latest tour following late May's shocking revelation that front man Gord Downie, 52, has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer . The Hip has been perfecting its artistry for decades, entertaining millions with crowd-pleasers like Bobcaygeon, At the Hundredth Meridian, and Ahead by a Century. But, given the demands of the road, and with Downie's dire prognosis, people are wondering just how this tour will unfold. "I don't know how they're feeling [gearing up to] the launch of the tour, but I imagine they're excited. I know their fans are excited," said Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah Harmer, who has collaborated with the Hip in the past and says the group has been "firing people up" for years with "amazing" energy at live shows. "I think they're doing what they do, living in the moment, playing shows, making it unique every night," she told CBC News. Friday's show will be emotional, "not only for the fans, but for the crew, for the promoters, for the buildings, for anyone who is there," predicted Victoria-based music promoter Nick Blasko, who's worked with the band a number of times. "I think that there's no hiding behind the reason why this tour is happening and, for a lot of people, this is a goodbye.Ó Over the next month, the band will then continue through a 15-date concert tour across the nation, concluding with a grand finale in its hometown of Kingston, Ont. (Source: CBC News)Êhttp://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/tragically-hip-farewell-tour-victoria-bc-1.3684118 Canada, group, therapy, music, taste, Canadian, patriotism, Tragically hip, rock, Gord Downey

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday July 23, 2016

Tragically Hip tour, 1st since Gord Downie’s cancer revelation, kicks off in Victoria

Fans are breathlessly anticipating the Tragically Hip concert tonight in Victoria.

It’s the first show of the band’s latest tour following late May’s shocking revelation that front man Gord Downie, 52, has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.

The Hip has been perfecting its artistry for decades, entertaining millions with crowd-pleasers like Bobcaygeon, At the Hundredth Meridian, and Ahead by a Century.

But, given the demands of the road, and with Downie’s dire prognosis, people are wondering just how this tour will unfold.

“I don’t know how they’re feeling [gearing up to] the launch of the tour, but I imagine they’re excited. I know their fans are excited,” said Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah Harmer, who has collaborated with the Hip in the past and says the group has been “firing people up” for years with “amazing” energy at live shows.

“I think they’re doing what they do, living in the moment, playing shows, making it unique every night,” she told CBC News.

Friday’s show will be emotional, “not only for the fans, but for the crew, for the promoters, for the buildings, for anyone who is there,” predicted Victoria-based music promoter Nick Blasko, who’s worked with the band a number of times.

“I think that there’s no hiding behind the reason why this tour is happening and, for a lot of people, this is a goodbye.”

Over the next month, the band will then continue through a 15-date concert tour across the nation, concluding with a grand finale in its hometown of Kingston, Ont. (Source: CBC News)

Published in the Telegram (St. John's Nfld) July 26, 2016

Published in the Telegram (St. John’s Nfld) July 26, 2016

Friday April 1, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Friday April 1, 2016 Downbound lanes of Sherman Access East closed City crews expect to reopen the downbound lane of the Sherman Access east Thursday morning that has been closed most of today because of a rock slide. Brian Hughes, manager of capital rehabilitation and technical operations with the City of Hamilton, said rocks began falling from the side of the escarpment late morning Wednesday onto the eastern portion of the downbound lane. The lane was closed as crews removed the rocks and overnight tonight they are planning to put in place concrete barriers to keep any further falling rocks from making it onto the road. No one was injured and no vehicles were damaged, he said. Most of the falling rock ended up in the ditch. The section of escarpment had been scheduled for scaling Ð the removal of loose rocks Ð later this year, said Hughes. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) http://www.thespec.com/news-story/6412635-downbound-lanes-of-sherman-access-east-closed/ Hamilton, mountain, niagara, escarpment, rock, slide, roads, coyote, road runner, bugs bunny

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday April 1, 2016

Downbound lanes of Sherman Access East closed

City crews expect to reopen the downbound lane of the Sherman Access east Thursday morning that has been closed most of today because of a rock slide.

Brian Hughes, manager of capital rehabilitation and technical operations with the City of Hamilton, said rocks began falling from the side of the escarpment late morning Wednesday onto the eastern portion of the downbound lane.

The lane was closed as crews removed the rocks and overnight tonight they are planning to put in place concrete barriers to keep any further falling rocks from making it onto the road.

No one was injured and no vehicles were damaged, he said. Most of the falling rock ended up in the ditch.

The section of escarpment had been scheduled for scaling – the removal of loose rocks – later this year, said Hughes. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

 

Monday, January 11, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Monday, January 11, 2016 How David Bowie told us he was dying in the 'Lazarus' video Bowing out with typical style, David Bowie didnÕt just release his last album ÔBlackstarÕ to coincide with his 69th birthday last week, on January 8 Ð he was using it to say goodbye to the world. An 18-month battle with cancer that hardly anyone knew about came to tragic end yesterday (January 10), but Bowie provided bleak hints about his terminal condition for his fans and followers in what was to be the final music video of his that was to be released in his lifetime. Released only four days ago, the video for single ÔLazarusÕ was BowieÕs parting shot, opening with a blindfolded, fragile-looking Bowie laying in bed. His first words Òlook up here, IÕm in heaven/IÕve got scars that canÕt be seenÓ are now obviously an admission of his ill health, rather than just a fantastical musing on mortality. It soon becomes obvious that the bed he's in is a hospital one and Bowie begins to float above it, signifying his transmutation to the other side Ð whatever, or wherever that may be. Watching it now, itÕs a statement as bold as it is bleak. As Bowie writhes around on the bed, trying to break free, another Bowie then appears, a Bowie clad in black and stood upright, a Bowie who can still pose, pout, pick up a pen and create. Inspiration hits him and he scrawls at speed in a notebook, while the other Bowie continues to convulse. As he writes, we see a skull sitting ominously on his writing desk, the spectre of death looming over Bowie and his final creation, before he steps backwards into a wooden wardrobe, a fitting kind of coffin for an icon of style and fashion. "His death was no different from his life - a work of Art," explained Bowie's producer Tony Visconti, in tribute. "He made 'Blackstar' for us, his parting gift. I knew for a year this was the way it would be. I wasn't, however, prepared for it." Creative to the ve

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Monday, January 11, 2016

How David Bowie told us he was dying in the ‘Lazarus’ video

Bowing out with typical style, David Bowie didn’t just release his last album ‘Blackstar’ to coincide with his 69th birthday last week, on January 8 – he was using it to say goodbye to the world.

An 18-month battle with cancer that hardly anyone knew about came to tragic end yesterday (January 10), but Bowie provided bleak hints about his terminal condition for his fans and followers in what was to be the final music video of his that was to be released in his lifetime.

Released only four days ago, the video for single ‘Lazarus’ was Bowie’s parting shot, opening with a blindfolded, fragile-looking Bowie laying in bed. His first words “look up here, I’m in heaven/I’ve got scars that can’t be seen” are now obviously an admission of his ill health, rather than just a fantastical musing on mortality. It soon becomes obvious that the bed he’s in is a hospital one and Bowie begins to float above it, signifying his transmutation to the other side – whatever, or wherever that may be. Watching it now, it’s a statement as bold as it is bleak.

As Bowie writhes around on the bed, trying to break free, another Bowie then appears, a Bowie clad in black and stood upright, a Bowie who can still pose, pout, pick up a pen and create. Inspiration hits him and he scrawls at speed in a notebook, while the other Bowie continues to convulse. As he writes, we see a skull sitting ominously on his writing desk, the spectre of death looming over Bowie and his final creation, before he steps backwards into a wooden wardrobe, a fitting kind of coffin for an icon of style and fashion.

Satirist William Hogarth used art to predict his own death in 1764

Satirist William Hogarth used art to predict his own death in 1764

“His death was no different from his life – a work of Art,” explained Bowie’s producer Tony Visconti, in tribute. “He made ‘Blackstar’ for us, his parting gift. I knew for a year this was the way it would be. I wasn’t, however, prepared for it.” Creative to the very end, the ‘Lazarus’ video is a heartbreakingly sad way to bid farewell, but a more than appropriate one. (Source: NME)

 

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Tuesday, April 9, 2013By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Thatcher had profound effect on popular culture

Margaret Thatcher was not just a political titan, she was a cultural icon skewered by comedians, transformed into a puppet and played to Oscar-winning perfection by Meryl Streep.

With her uncompromising politics, ironclad certainty, bouffant hairstyle and ever-present handbag, the late British leader was grist for comedians, playwrights, novelists and songwriters whether they loved her or as was more often the case hated her. To the satirical puppeteers of popular 1980s TV series “Spitting Image,” Thatcher was a cigar-smoking bully, a butcher with a bloody cleaver, a domineering leader ruling over her docile Cabinet.

Pop was political in Thatcher’s day, as the bitter social divisions of the 1980s sparked an angry musical outpouring.

“I see no joy, I see only sorrow, I see no chance of your bright new tomorrow,” sang The Beat, urging Thatcher to resign in “Stand Down Margaret.”

In “Tramp the Dirt Down,” Elvis Costello imagined the day of Thatcher’s death: “When they finally put you in the ground, I’ll stand on your grave and tramp the dirt down.”

Former Smiths frontman Morrissey went even further, lyrically fantasizing about “Margaret on the Guillotine.”

Musicians including Paul Weller and Billy Bragg formed the Red Wedge movement to campaign against Thatcher and for the Labour Party in the 1987 election. But for some later musicians, Thatcher was a more positive figure.

Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell who sported a Union Jack mini-dress as part of the 1990s’ girl group tweeted Monday: “Thinking of our 1st Lady of girl power, Margaret Thatcher, a green grocer’s daughter who taught me anything is possible.” (Source: CTV News)