Stars hail music mentor
Miner’s Lamp gala raises funds for mental health advocacy
While Canadian music royalty descended on the nation’s capital for the Juno Awards weekend, it was the party for Randy Lennox that reigned supreme. It was an all- night, all- spinning, all- dancing affair at All Saints in downtown Ottawa, a former church turned event venue where a too- cool- for- school crowd rocked the night away.
Bell Media joined forces with Universal Music Canada and Slaight Music to fête the former music executive after having received the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award at the 46th Annual Juno Gala Dinner & Awards. With a career spanning more than 30 years, Lennox has been a driving force in Canada’s music scene. As President and CEO of Universal Music Canada, he helped propel the careers of some of the biggest names in music including Hedley, Shawn Mendes, Drake, Justin Bieber, Shania Twain, The Tragically Hip, and The Weeknd.
Heartfelt speeches were given by Universal Music Canada president Jeffrey Remedios; Music Canada president, Graham Henderson, and recording artist Sam Roberts.
“Randy saw, and still sees, Canada on a global stage,” said his dear friend, Kiefer Sutherland. “Through tireless work and tenacity, Randy has helped shape some of the biggest careers in the business. He and his beloved Universal Music Canada, which he led for almost 20 years, refused to accept no for an answer. To Randy, ‘no’ is, was, and will forever be simply a ‘request for more information’.”
It was over to The Carlu for The Miner’s Lamp Award di nner, where Sophie Grégoire Trudeau would give the keynote address.
The annual gala raises funds for research into the prevention and early detection of severe mental illness in adolescents and young adults. Jamie and Patsy Anderson received the 2017 Miner’s Lamp Award for their dedication to increasing understanding of mental illness, reducing its stigma and improving the lives of those affected.
“It’s my sincere wish that every person who struggles with mental health can find support, love and acceptance,” said Grégoire Trudeau, who spoke openly about her own struggles. “It warmed my heart to see so many people come together to support the Miner’s Lamp Innovation Fund in Prevention & Early Detection of Severe Mental Illness. Thank you for taking mental illness seriously, and for dedicating the resources needed to build better and more effective treatments.”
With the help of sponsors Peartree and National Bank, close to $ 1 million has been raised over the past two years.