Beatles

Brian Wilson’s genius remembered by Steven Page, Ron Sexsmith and other Canadian musicians: ‘It’s like living in the time of Mozart or Beethoven’

Moe Berg, of the Pursuit of Happiness, and Burton Cummings, of the Guess Who, also weigh in on the late musician. June 12, 2025 By Nick Krewen Special to the Star Back in 2000, singer and songwriter Steven Page couldn’t believe his eyes … or his ears. He was sitting around in an L.A. studio with the rest of his Barenaked Ladies bandmates as they worked on their album Maroon, when their producer Don…

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Former ‘Degrassi’ producer on becoming a recording artist at 76 and what Drake’s really like

Stephen Stohn will release The Orange Sessions with his group, GTA Rhythm Section. by Nick Krewen Special to the Star He’s the chancellor of Trent University, an Order of Canada member, a former top entertainment attorney to the stars and has served as executive producer for most of the run of the “Degrassi” TV franchise. And at 76, Stephen Stohn just added a new accomplishment to his impressive résumé: recording artist. As…


He unearthed a recording of a legendary 1965 Beatles concert from Maple Leaf Gardens. Here’s why it might be worth a fortune

Toronto Beatles expert and author Piers Hemmingsen recently determined the reel-to-reel tape was higher quality than he initially believed. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star There may be no happier man on the planet right now than Piers Hemmingsen. In a story that broke a few weeks ago in Billboard magazine, the Toronto-based Beatles expert announced that he had a reel-to-reel recording of the Fab Four’s entire afternoon Maple…


Jeff Lynne’s ELO bring their rousing jukebox to Toronto for their final tour

he band played the hits from their 50-plus-year career at the Scotiabank Arena. by Nick Krewen Special to the Star Jeff Lynne’s ELO 3.5 stars (out of 4) Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 As the co-founder and creative driving force of the Electric Light Orchestra, Jeff Lynne has regaled audiences with a musical evolution over 50-plus years that has been nothing short of astonishing, moving from symphonic and…


They — and their hair — were massive in the ‘80s. On a new tour opening for Billy Idol, can these Toronto rockers make a comeback?

Four decades after touring Canada with Billy Idol, Platinum Blonde will open for him at Scotiabank Arena on Aug. 9.By Nick Krewen Special to the Star You have your Halley’s Comet. You have your solar eclipses. But an even rarer phenomenon — a national tour pairing two rock acts who played together 40 years ago — will be visible in Toronto when Billy Idol and Platinum Blonde perform at Scotiabank Arena on…