Toronto 
A group of prominent Canadian musicians will gather at Toronto’s Massey Hall on November 12 to mark Neil Young’s 80th birthday. The concert, titled NY80: A Celebration of Neil Young and His Music, will be hosted by CBC’s Tom Power.
Performers include Dallas Green of City and Colour, Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo, Kathleen Edwards, Donovan Woods, Serena Ryder, Joel Plaskett, Julian Taylor, and Matt Mays. All proceeds will go to MusiCounts, the music education charity linked to the JUNO Awards.
The evening will feature an 11-member house band led by musician and producer Aaron Goldstein. The group includes Glenn Milchem of Blue Rodeo, Shamus Currie of the Sheepdogs, and guitarist Ian Blurton. The setlist will span Young’s career, from Buffalo Springfield to Crazy Horse. Spencer Shewen, known for his work with Riverfest Elora and Mariposa Folk Festival, is producing the event.
Howl Entertainment’s Dale Gago, who organized the concert, said the project had been in planning for several years and highlighted Massey Hall as a fitting location. Kristy Fletcher, president of MusiCounts, noted that funds raised will support music programs in schools across Canada.
Born in Toronto in 1945, Young is recognized as one of the country’s most influential musicians. His extensive body of work includes albums such as Harvest, After the Gold Rush, and Rust Never Sleeps, as well as songs like Heart of Gold, Cinnamon Girl, and Old Man. He is a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2009.
How to Get Tickets
Tickets go on presale for Friends First members on September 17 at 10 a.m. Public sales open September 19 at 10 a.m.
