The Observatory lounge pulsated with rock and roll as part of the college’s Live Band Rockstar Karaoke event.
Students and guests packed into the Ob on Jan. 28 to take advantage of the first live karaoke night of the semester. Those partaking in the event were given the opportunity to perform on stage in a real live-band setting.
The performance kicked off with a cover of Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd and transitioned into The Who’s Baba O’Reilly.
With a set list boasting more than 600 songs stretching from ABBA to The Rolling Stones and nearly everything in between, dozens of participants got the privilege of fronting their own band.
Rockstar Live is a four-piece set out of Toronto who get a real kick out of putting the show in the hands of their audience. The band, who have all had a taste of fame in Canada at one time or another, consists of Gerry Finn, Jeff Pearce, Chris Taylor-Munro and Jackie Skinner.
“It’s more of a calling than an occupation, we think,” said guitarist Gerry Finn. “We just get up there and try and have fun with it.”
The event was put on by the Students’ Association and was free for all who attended. It was one of the bigger turnouts for the band as they took the stage for the thirtieth time at Algonquin.
Phil “Ace” Gervais, 31, would be the first to tell you what an awesome opportunity it is to be on-stage with these distinguished musicians. The event marks his seventh performance with Rockstar Live. Gervais rendered a version of Kings of Leon’s Sex on Fire as his contribution to the concert.
“I love the music,” admits Gervais. “I play guitar so it’s nice to kind of step back and have these guys put on the show.”
Algonquin college can expect to see another concert put on by Rockstar Live later this semester.