Michael Demers, the lead singer and co-founder of Victoria-based Roy Orbison tribute band The Lonely, is among the many musicians and other artists whose plans for a full performance schedule in 2020 was sidelined by the COVID-19 pandemic.
But that’s not stopping him from keeping his chops up – or enjoying a COVID-style party for his birthday today (March 28). Starting at 8 p.m., he will perform an hour of material and share some thoughts about music in a Facebook livestream – there’s even going to be cake!
Demers also plans to unveil a new original song he’ll be releasing online today, entitled “Make Me Forget,” which he wrote about “the times we are going through right now.”
“I think it is difficult to gauge how everyone is doing during this crisis and I think that while many are coping well, I think that some are having a harder time,” he told Monday in a Facebook message.
“An old and dear friend of mine (now living in California) lost a very good friend to the virus yesterday. This fellow had been healthy and in his early 50s – a reminder of how devastating this can be. I have been very supported over the past number of years by so many people and I think a short concert is the least I can do.”
The Lonely was poised to embark on a busy tour across Canada and parts of the U.S. this spring through fall. Demers and his bandmates have each done what they can to keep music a big part of their lives.
“I feel fortunate and grateful to have had so much success over the past year,” he said. “And as Taj Mahal sings, ‘Music keeps me together.’”
Find the livestream on Demers’ Facebook page, starting at 8 p.m.