NEWS

Plans for a permanent memorial to Neil Peart at Port Dalhousie’s Lakeside Park in Ontario have been given the go-ahead. Thousands of fans signed a petition to honour the Rush drummer/ lyricist, who died on January 7, aged 67, after a three-anda-half-year battle with brain cancer.

Journey have brought Randy Jackson back into their line-up following the expulsions of Ross Valory and Steve Smith. Bassist Jackson, who replaces Valory, was a member of the group between 1985 and ’87. Narada Michael Walden has replaced Smith on drums.

The #saveourvenues campaign has now raised more than £1.5 million in just three weeks, ensuring that 140 music venues are no longer on the critical list due to the Covid-19 shutdown. “This is a good start,” says CEO Mark Davyd, “but there are still more than four hundred venues in urgent need of support.”

In related news, the Music Venue Trust is issuing a series of classic concert posters (pictured) to benefit struggling venues. Each costs £12.99, with 80 per cent after VAT and costs going directly to the venues. For a list and to order go to musicvenuetrust.com

Brian May says he is “overwhelmed” by the “torrent of love and support” he received from fans after he suffered a heart attack recently.