MEDIA ADVISORY: NEW TIME!

TRIBUTE BANDS, a four-part documentary series narrated by Toronto native and Rockstar: INXS finalist Suzie McNeil, each one-hour episode follows tribute bands that pose as:
Rush – “For the Love of Rush” airing Oct. 28th, 7:00 p.m. ET
Queen – “Keeping The Spirit of Freddie Alive” airing Nov. 4th, 7:00 p.m. ET
The Tragically Hip – “Keeping Up With The Hip” airing Nov. 11th, 7:00 p.m. ET
The Police – Encore presentation of “The Next Best Sting” on Nov. 18th, 7:00 p.m. ET

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28 – 7:00 p.m. ET “FOR THE LOVE OF RUSH”

In this week’s episode, TRIBUTE BANDS speaks with Rush’s Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson about what’s its like to have their own legion of tribute bands. We meet the undeniably obsessive Dave Cornwall (a.k.a. Spageddy Lee) who fronts an Arizona-based Rush tribute band called Freewill. Dave has transformed his home into a Rush museum and his garage into a recording studio with much of the same gear used by his heroes. Mike Deyo of Burlington, Ontario, has spent over $20,000 on gear for his Rush tribute band 2112. As a teen, Mike fled an abusive home and lived on the streets; he credits the music of Rush with seeing him through and helping him keep his dreams alive.

Mike’s ultimate goal: for 2112 to play Toronto’s legendary Massey Hall.

TRIBUTE BANDS

THE LATEST ORIGINAL FOUR-PART DOCUMENTARY SERIES ON E!
DEBUTS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21 – 10PM ET/PT (1 hour)

(CALGARY, September 28, 2007) – E! is proud to present Tribute Bands, the network’s latest all-new Canadian original documentary series. Narrated by Toronto native and Rockstar: INXS finalist Suzie McNeil, each one-hour episode follows a tribute band paying homage to The Police, Rush, Queen and The Tragically Hip.

From CanWest MediaWorks and Executive Producers Allison Grace and Michelle Metivier, this 4-part documentary series makes its television debut Sundays at 10pm ET/PT beginning October 21 on E!.

By day they work in law offices, hospitals and factories; by night, they morph into Sting, Geddy Lee, Freddie Mercury and Gord Downie. Virtually every major rock band has spawned a tribute group. Tribute Bands features interviews with artists and industry veterans including Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson of Rush, the former manager of The Police Miles Copeland and Peter Freestone, Freddie Mercury’s longtime personal assistant.

“E!’s roster of Canadian original documentaries continues to take viewers backstage with the premiere of Tribute Bands,” said Christine Shipton, Vice President of Original Programming for CanWest MediaWorks Inc. “E! is a vibrant new network and we are committed to providing viewers with a host of quality Canadian programming that reflects this fresh, new point of view.”

“The Next Best Sting” follows the maniacal and ever-entertaining Miles Copeland, who managed The Police for 23 years and is the brother of Police drummer Stewart Copeland. After witnessing the success of various Police tribute bands, Copeland decides to form “the ultimate Police tribute band.”

In “For The Love of Rush”, viewers meet the obsessive Dave Cornwall (a.k.a. Spageddy Lee) who fronts an Arizona-based Rush tribute band called Freewill. Tribute Bands also connects with other groups trying to emulate one of the most technically proficient bands in the world.

“Keeping The Spirit of Freddie Alive” trails Joe Russo’s fight to escape New York’s seedy club scene with Almost Queen, and Scotland’s Gary Mullen who has made a considerable fortune fronting One Night of Queen.

The series concludes with “Keeping Up with the Hip”, a look at three Ontario-based Tragically Hip tribute bands as they try to ride the wave of one of Canada’s most beloved bands.

TUNING GUIDE…

Sundays at 10pm ET/PT
“The Next Best Sting” – October 21
“For the Love of Rush” – October 28
“Keeping the Spirit of Freddie Alive” – November 4
“Keeping Up with The Hip” – November 11

Lofty Pines Motel – The Tragically Hip
Wetlands, New York, New York 7-23-1998