A new documentary on iconic Toronto radio station CFNY (the inspiration behind Rush's The Spirit of Radio) has been in the works for 3 years now, and former DJ Alan Cross (one of the film's executive producers) announced earlier today that it will finally be seeing the light of day next month on January 6th. The film documents the station's Spirit of Radio years (1976-1991-ish) and features Rush's Geddy Lee among many others. From the update:
... TVO Docs acquired the rights from HighballTV and has committed to multiple showings of the doc on TVO in Ontario and through its streaming app. The doc features staffers from the era along with appearances by Jim Kerr (Simple Minds), Peter Hook (Joy Division/New Order), Lol Tolhurst (The Cure), Andy McClusky (OMD), Steve Page (Barenaked Ladies), Emily Haines (Metric), Ben Kowalewicz (Billy Talent), Deryck Whibley (Sum 41), and many others.
Is Geddy Lee in the film? Absolutely! Rush's global hit, "The Spirit of Radio" was inspired by what was coming out of that little yellow house and, later, the top floor of a strip mall at 83 Kennedy Road South in Brampton. And yes, Rush let us use the song. Why not? They're fans.
If you're in Toronto, listen to 102.1 The Edge (still CFNY, but with a new nickname) and Q107 to win tickets to a special pre-premiere screening in the private theatre at Corus Quay on Monday, January 5.
CFNY: The Spirit of Radio is directed by Matt Schichter and produced by Matthew Campagna for HighballTV. Executive producers are me, Barbara Hall, Chantal Jackson, Ivar Hamilton and Scot Turner. ...
Along with the announcement is a new trailer which prominently features Rush, Geddy Lee and Rush's The Spirit of Radio:
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