Classic Canadian rockers Glass Tiger performs July 18 in the Centrium as part of Westerner Days. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. with the show beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Discovered in the summer of 1984 as a band from Newmarket, Ontario called Tokyo, the band spent two evenings performing before capacity crowds at Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens opening for Boy George and Culture Club.
Over the years, Glass Tiger went on to tour the world, sell millions of albums and have a major impact on the Canadian music industry with hits such as Don’t Forget Me, Someday and Thin Red Line and if anything has gotten better over the years.
“Our performances have never been tighter, and we are playing at our highest level ever, we are reignited, recharged and looking forward to every show,” said lead singer Alan Frew.
As a songwriter, Frew has written numerous top 10 hits with several of them having the distinction of reaching the chart topping number one position. Someday, So Blind, I’m Still Searching and Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone), have all reached this plateau. Frew is the recipient of four Canadian Classic Awards for songs each being played in excess of 100,000 airplays on Canadian radio.
These days, he remains one of the most recognized Canadian stars and still one of the hardest working artists in the business.
He maintains friendships with many top Canadian artists including Tom Cochrane, Roch Voisine, the Barenaked Ladies, Alannah Myles, Dan Hill and Marc Jordan all of whom have at one time or another helped Frew by lending their talents to his relentless charitable work.
Frew is also the recipient of a 20-year Humanitarian Award for his work with the children of Easter Seals and he is constantly working on behalf of the children to bring a peace, hope, love and safety into their lives.
During the hiatus of Glass Tiger, he teamed up with producer John Jones, musical legends Mick Fleetwood and Mickey Dolenz and released his first solo effort entitled Hold On which produced such hits as So Blind and Healing Hands.
His next project Wonderland was released in the fall of 2000 to rave reviews and has yielded the single Lipstick and his most recent single All I Ever Wanted.
Frew has also traveled overseas to perform in Bosnia and the Middle East for the Canadian Armed Forces and their allies and in connection with outside projects, he wrote the anthem for CBC’s World Cup 2002 telecast and the anthem for the 2001 World Hockey Championships in Germany where he performed the song live at the opening ceremonies.
He also spawned a fabulous ‘off the cuff’ television show called Road Stories with Alan Frew, an insightful musical journey into the minds, lives and songs of some of music’s most interesting performers; told by musicians to a musician.
Meanwhile, Westerner Days is right around the corner and there will be lots for folks to check out.
Ride All Day passes, formerly known as Ticket to Ride, will be sold at participating Central Alberta Mac’s locations until July 16. This pass is $32 and includes the cost of the gate admission and gives purchaser’s unlimited rides for one day.
Kid’s Day will take place July 18 where children 12 and under get free gated entry until 6 p.m. and Family Day on July 21 where a carload of up to six people will get into Westerner Days for $25, including parking. Kids aged 12 and under can ride all day for $15.
Last year, 102,665 people walked through the gates during Westerner Days. Of that number, 46% of the visitors were outside of the Red Deer area, officials said.
There is a new program that will take place in conjunction with Westerner Days as well. ‘We All Play’ will provide complimentary passes and parking to 125 Central Alberta families that may not have been otherwise able to enjoy a day at the fair.
For more information about Westerner Days, check out www.westernerdays.ca.
-Weber
