I was there.
I was one of the 13,000 people at Montreal's Bell Centre on June 3, 2014, for Corey Hart's epic farewell concert.
Photo credit: Patrick Beaudry, SNAPePHOTO. Used by permission.
No one is surprised that I made the journey from Saskatoon. I am a member of Corey's "caravan," after all: a devoted life-long fan who now follows him on Facebook. Reading Corey's Facebook posts over the past three years, I have come to realize that he embodies his music. He doesn't just string together pretty lyrics for aesthetic reasons. His music dwells in empathy and a deep desire to connect with his fans.
Many caravan members have spoken about drawing strength from Corey's lyrics while working through issues like shyness, bullying, coming out, addiction, depression, and physical illness like cancer. These fans have claimed certain lyrics as personal anthems: "never surrender", "you are beautiful just the way you are", "baby, you can fly on your own", "chase the sun", and "you can never forget from where you still belong", among others.
As a person with a physical disability (profound hearing loss), I've dealt with isolation; marginalization; and the idea of being "broken," which impacts my self-perception of beauty. I struggle with feeling valued and accepted, and so I hold closely those lyrics that encourage me to find and hold onto my own strength, and to recognize my unique beauty.
I discovered Corey when Boy in the Box was released in 1985. I was 14 years old. At first, yup, I was sucked in by his pouty good looks, like millions of other teenaged girls. But looks alone aren't going to hold a fan through 29 years. I stuck around because the music spoke to me; and I am part of Corey's caravan because his actions have touched my heart. My experiences at the Bell Centre explain why Corey and his music are so dear to me.
Author's photo
I splurged on a deluxe ticket package, which included access to sound check; merchandise (including an autographed copy of Corey's newly-released memoir, Chasing the Sun, available at coreyhart.com); and a chance for a meet-and-greet. Since I had already met Corey in 2012, I formulated two other dreams: an acknowledgement from Corey (perhaps a wave or a handshake); and a book autograph that was uniquely mine. Shortly before the concert, I also emailed Corey, asking for the set list. I was worried that I would have difficulty recognizing songs that were arranged differently, or covers of songs I was unfamiliar with. (I can't explain how I "hear" music, but I do hear it when it is loud enough. I pick out lyrics phonetically, by following written lyrics.)
At sound check, we were greeted by Julie Masse and got to see the Harts' ten-year-old son, Rain. A marriage proposal was made and accepted between two caravan members. Corey made lots of shoutouts to fans, many of whom he recognized from their Facebook photos. As for me, both my dreams were fulfilled before the concert even started. During sound check, amazingly, Corey stood in front of me on the stage, and signed "Good to see you." And when I retrieved my book, I was thrilled with my autograph: "For Jacki, the bright light of Saskatchewan, Peace, Corey Hart, 2014." That's something else about Corey: he teaches you to dream big. Two paltry dreams? Checked right off my list.
The concert kicked off with the video for "Truth Will Set U Free" (2012), and the live performance launched immediately afterwards. There was no opening act. There was a half hour intermission, but otherwise it was just Corey belting out 29 of his biggest hits and nine covers over four hours. Corey's energy was phenomenal, and well into the third hour, he was still bouncing up and down to work out excess energy and emotion.
Corey Hart Retirement Concert
Marc Lostracco, a graphic designer who often works with Corey, created jaw-dropping LED screen displays for each song. From humorous comic and tabloid cover mock-ups, to fan art, and to a fan photo montage, Marc's graphics incredibly complemented the music. Extremely helpful to me, Marc also worked the set list into the displays, introducing each song textually.
Photo credit: Kristin Fedora. Used by permission.
It was an emotional night. My tears flowed freely during "Eurasian Eyes." I loved seeing Corey and Masse interact, especially during "Third of June." It was joyful to see my fellow caravan-member Danielle recognized, for the artwork she contributed to a LED display. Corey serenaded his 90-year-old mother with a reworked version of "That's Alright, Mama." He made more fan shoutouts, and called one fan up to sing "Chase the Sun" with him. Many of his songs were sung with deep emotion, especially Paul Anka's "My Way," which Corey struggled to sing without crying.
A highlight was "Everything in my Heart," accompanied by Marc's montage of fan photos. Corey wrote the song for his fans, envisioning himself and his fans singing it to each other, alternating verses and choruses. And that's how the many thousands of us sang it that night. At one point, Corey became so choked up, it seemed uncertain whether he could continue. The ovation was loud and long and full of love. Four of my own photos were included in the montage and I remain amazed at being so honoured.
After the concert, I skimmed through the book. A Facebook post of mine was quoted, and I also appear in one of the book's photos. This is a totally unexpected and "hartfelt" gift that reaffirms Corey's lesson to "dream big."
I am just one of many thousands of Corey Hart fans, and I can't explain how deeply Corey's acknowledgements touch me. I've spent a lot of my life on the periphery. I've been stood up, left behind, forgotten about. I live a very lonely existence at times. To have Corey recognize me this way -- Corey Hart! -- an internationally acclaimed pop star who I've admired almost my whole life -- fulfills me in a way I can't explain. It makes me believe in the goodness of people and the kindness of strangers. I think I speak for the caravan when I say that the man and his music have given us much strength and happiness. His kindness and empathy has been life-changing. And so we're caravan. And proud of it.