Neil Young cancels L.A. concert to support stagehands' strike
Last Updated: Thursday, October 30, 2008 | 12:53 PM ET
CBC News
Neil Young cancelled a Los Angeles concert planned for Thursday to show solidarity for striking workers.
The legendary Canadian rocker's concert was scheduled for Oct. 30 at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif.
The stagehands' union, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), is involved in a dispute with The Forum's owners, the Faithful Central Bible Church.
Workers have been seeking a new contract for two years after having suffered pay cuts of up to 35 per cent.
"I am extremely disappointed to have to choose between satisfying my fans or backing my brothers and sisters of the IATSE," Young said in a statement issued Wednesday night.
“I will miss playing in Los Angeles and apologize to my fans for the inconvenience this has caused.”
Young, 62, and his wife, Pegi Young, are honourary lifetime members of IATSE.
His songs are known for their political subject matter. The song Union Man, from the 1980 album Hawks & Doves, addresses the issue directly.
In 2006, Madonna crossed the IATSE picket line at The Forum for the opening night of her Confessions Tour.
The statement said the date will be rescheduled for sometime in 2009 and refunds for ticket holders will be available.
Young's archival live album, Sugar Mountain: Live at Canterbury House 1968, will be released Nov. 25.
Share Tools
- Romance onscreen for Valentine's Dayby Arts Online Feb. 14, 2012 3:51 PM The Notebook versus Out of Sight. High Fidelity versus The Family Man. On a day devoted to strong emotions, it seems appropriate to passionately debate about the best cinematic love stories. CBC film critic Eli Glasner faces off against arts producer Ilana Banks about the top movies with which to woo your sweetheart on Valentine's Day. And they ask: What's your favourite romantic movie?
Top News Headlines
- Air Canada confident it can reach deal with pilots
- Travellers flying Air Canada can keep booking their flights as negotiations continue with a new federally appointed mediator to help resolve an ongoing contract dispute between the airline and its pilots. more »
- Legalize pot, say former B.C. attorneys general
- Four former B.C. attorneys general are joining a coalition of health and justice experts calling for the legalization of marijuana. more »
- Whitney Houston's funeral to be held Saturday
- Pop star Whitney Houston's funeral service will be held Saturday in the New Jersey church where she first showcased her singing talents as a child. more »
- CN blamed for fatal train derailment in Illinois
- CN is being blamed for a 2009 train derailment in Illinois, in which several cars went off the tracks and caught fire, killing one person and injuring seven others. more »
Latest Arts & Entertainment News Headlines
- Whitney Houston's funeral to be held Saturday
- Pop star Whitney Houston's funeral service will be held Saturday in the New Jersey church where she first showcased her singing talents as a child. more »
- Prospective WSO maestros unveiled
- The Windsor Symphony Orchestra unveiled a shortlist of prospective music directors on Tuesday, and the public will have a hand in selecting the finalist. more »
- Booksellers blame U.S.-Canada price gap on old rules
- There's an easy way to help lower Canadian book prices, representatives from the industry told a Senate committee: eliminate a rule that allows U.S. publishers to charge more for books sent to Canada. more »
- Famed romance began with exchange of letters
- The 573 love letters exchanged between Elizabeth Barrett and her future husband, fellow poet Robert Browning, are now viewable online. more »
Q Blog
The great monogamy debate Feb. 14, 2012 3:42 PM Is it time to start taking alternatives to monogamy seriously in our culture? Listen in to the Q debate and let us know what you think.
CBC Books
- Choosing a Valentine's Day gift for the book lover in your life Feb. 14, 2012 4:51 PM CBC Books' Erin Balser and her partner, Matt Elliott, on the challenge of giving your sweetheart a book for Valentine's Day.
- Online surveillance critics accused of supporting child porn
- Whitney Houston's funeral to be held Saturday
- HMCS Corner Brook collision damage extensive
- Online surveillance bill targets child porn: Toews
- Mooning Queen proves costly for Australian man
- Legalize pot, say former B.C. attorneys general
- MacKay says submarine fleet has 'spotty' history
- Man kidnapped at Greyhound station escapes captors
- Stanley Cup rioter seen in brick attack on cop


