Rip-Off Of The Year? 'Toronto Rocks' Viewers Angry At Abbreviated Show

August 1, 2003

Vinay Menon of The Toronto Star is reporting that the massive "Toronto Rocks" concert that unfolded in Downsview Park on Wednesday was the concert event of a lifetime for the people who were there. But for people watching at home, it was the rip-off of the year.

Many had tuned to MuchMoreMusic in the afternoon, and later CBC Television, expecting to see "a live concert" headlined by THE ROLLING STONES and featuring additional appearances by AC/DC and RUSH, among others.

Instead, as a result of the complex broadcast agreement, viewers were given a "live package" that included highlights, interviews and other recorded segments.

"It was just terrible," said Scott Hamilton, a fan of AC/DC and RUSH, who watched from Burlington and yesterday started an on-line petition to protest the broadcast.

"Basically, what they were advertising was 11 hours of live coverage. And then you got on there and all it was was a bunch of old videos and interviews. It was just an outrage that they lied to everybody."

David Kines, vice-president and general manager of MuchMoreMusic, acknowledged the anger but said, "There was a disconnect with some people."

"People just made the assumption that the concert was going to be on TV," Kines said. "Rights issues prohibited us from showing the entire concert. Trust me, we would have loved to show the whole thing." Read more.

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