I used to live in North Bay in the late 1970's. Don't get me wrong, I loved being 18 years old and residing there. But if you were into "The Who" or the "Pistols", forget it. In a small city with a strong Catholic influence, disco, as horrid as it was, ruled the airwaves.
Sometime during my misspent youth the band "Rush" came to the North Bay Gardens. I, along with my high school buddies, paid some outrageous amount for a ticket (I think it was eight bucks) and decided to see the show. Finally a big time rock act in "Northern" Ontario.
Once they hit the stage it reminded me of somewhat of seeing an elderly aunt's breasts fall out of a dress. You couldn't help but watch, but you felt guilty for looking and being so repulsed. Geddy Lee (the lead singer) hit the stage wearing a kimono (yes, a kimono), Alex Lieffson (the guitarist) was high on God only knows what, and Neil Peart (the drummer).......he just seemed to be playing in some sort of parallel universe. They ripped through fan favourites like " In the Mood" and "Fly by night",but I really didn't much care. The show sucked, the songs always seemed off key and I just couldn't get into it. (For all those Rush fans, I'm sorry. But it's my blog and this after all is the last place where a grown man can express himself without fear or reprisal).
A few years back I was reading the Globe and lo and behold: The guys from Rush had been give the Order of Canada. Apparently it was for their contribution to the Canadian music scene. I guess the panel that decides these things wasn't raised in North Bay in the 1970's.
Just last week the Order of Canada was issued to Neil Young. Now there is a musician who contributed to Canada's music scene!
For those of you who are 50'ish and reading this blog, think of how Neil seeped into every pore of your being. Was there anyone who didn't sing along with "Down by the river". Or an adolescent boy who didn't think of the song "Old Man" when his father had disciplined them for underage drinking? Or a coffee house singer that didn't destroy "Helpless"?
If you want a real treat, go to a place like " Sonic Boom" in Toronto and buy the "Unplugged" CD from 1994. If you don't have a tear in your eye but the end of "Pocahontas" then you are one cruel, heartless swine. Man, this stuff is so pure.
I was in Florida two years ago and I saw Dennis Hopper on HBO talking about Neil. He said it best: "It's like watching Picasso, man......Picasso had his different periods, and Neil has his". Oh, so true.
Congrats Neil. Finally a worthy "musical" Order of Canada recipient.
If only he could have played in North Bay.
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