Voice

Neil Young is about to turn 80 — and these Canadian musicians are throwing him a party at Massey Hall

“NY80: A Celebration of Neil Young and His Music,” hosted by CBC’s Tom Power, will take place Nov. 12.  Nov. 9, 2025 By Nick Krewen Special to the Star On the cusp of 80, few performers have remained as relevant as Toronto’s own Neil Young. He’s been steadily rockin’ in the free world since forming The Squires in Winnipeg in 1965 — and in a career that has seen him thrive…

Read More

Despite ‘70s superstardom, this singer struggled with self-doubt. Then came a spiritual awakening. Now he’s joining the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Gino Vannelli will be inducted along with Andy Kim, Jane Siberry and others on Oct. 17. He recorded his latest album as a tribute to his late wife. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star He will be getting inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame on Oct. 17 at the Meridian Arts Centre in North York, but pop sensation Gino Vannelli would be the first to admit that…


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…


This Grammy-winning Toronto R&B star worked with Drake and Jay-Z. Then she decided to disappear. Now, Melanie Fiona is finding that making a comeback isn’t so easy

She just released a new EP, but the singer has already cancelled most of her upcoming tour dates. April 26, 2025 By Nick Krewen Special to the Star She’s won two Grammys and a Juno and has been associated with some of the biggest names in hip-hop. Then she went independent and virtually disappeared. Now, after being out of the spotlight for 13 years, Melanie Fiona is attempting a comeback. “I…


Keith Urban brings his big show to Toronto’s tiny Horseshoe Tavern for a four-star concert

The country-music superstar also announced a major Canada tour, which will begin at Budweiser Stage on June 21. by Nick Krewen Special to the Star Country music superstar Keith Urban had the right idea. If you’re going to announce a major Canadian tour, do it in style: generate a buzz with a surprise show that turns out to be a glorious party at one of Toronto’s most storied and intimate venues. The…