In 1991, Tom Cochrane released his album Mad Mad World, and introduced us to one of the best and most catchy tunes to ever come out of Canada. If you turned on a radio, you’d be sure to find yourself singing:
Life is a Highway
I wanna ride it all night long
If you’re going my way
I want to drive it all night long
If I were a gambling girl, I would be willing to bet that while you were reading that you sang it in your head, (or out loud, depends what type of reader you are!), because EVERYONE KNOWS THE SONG!
I grew up in the Canadian Air Force and in 1989 (or 1990?) Tom Cochrane performed for the troops stationed in Lahr Germany at a Junior Ranks Mess, of which my parents happened to be in attendance. In the lead up to this interview, I mentioned to my Dad that I would be meeting a Canadian Icon and he made sure to fill me in on all the details so I could include a more personal history to my interview.
Now, I’m not the most knowledgable in mathematical equations, and please correct me if I’m wrong, but if you take singing the first line of Life is a Highway (let’s call this X) and a personal history moment (and this one can be Y) while interviewing Tom Cochrane, and add X and Y together, does the value really equal the opportunity to sing ONSTAGE with the man himself?
As luck would have it, IT DID! And you can’t argue with math! HAHA!
Oh my gosh, talk about a dream realized! Singing onstage. With Tom Cochrane. In front of a crowd of thousands?! It’s one of those life moments that will never be forgotten, and for the most part, impossible to top!
If you haven’t already, be sure to check out that interview in our Vintage Vault and stay tuned to see what this year has in store for our Ewest Music correspondents. Aim for the stars and just maybe you’ll land onstage with your favourite band!
–Melissa
Lovin’ Life, One Day at a Time
Melissa Henderson
Much like a scent can evoke an emotional response or memory, upon hearing any song off Michael Jackson's Dangerous album, I am instantly transported 23 years in the past and I find myself driving through the Black Forest with my family off on an adventure!
Throughout life's journey I have been developing into this current version of myself, and have noticed that above all my taste in music has best reflected who I feel I am.
Listen in on my life soundtrack and you will find a range of genres from Punk to Metal to Christian to Disney, easily summing up who I am as Loud, Happy and Animated!
"My greatest gift to you
is a dance floor
free from insecurity"
-Alexisonfire
