Before record sales collapsed, everyone made most of their money from selling music. The idea of licensing your music for a commercial was considered the height of selling out. Today, though, this is considered to be a normal and necessary way of surviving as a musician.

But someone had to be first, right? But who?

It’s generally accepted that the Velvet Underground was the first true alternative band. And fifteen years after Lou Reed left the band, he might have been the first even alt-rock artist to “sell out” by licensing a song to a TV commercial.

In 1985, he appeared in an ad for a Honda scooter with his song “Walk on the Wild Side” in the background. He took some stick for it—that sort of thing just wasn’t done back then—but he did help start the destruction of the stigma of using actual songs in TV commercials.

© 2026 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

True or false: Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers was in a band with Sex Pistol Johnny Rotten. True.

It was 1983 and the Chili Peppers were still an unknown group, and things weren’t going well. Flea thought maybe it was time to leave. At the same time, it just so happened that Johnny’s post-Pistols band, Public Image Ltd., was in LA looking for a new bass player. Flea went to the audition, which consisted of just him and the drummer jamming onstage.

Out in the audience in the dark was Johnny, who was listening intently. Flea completely blew everyone away and was offered the job on the spot–which he accepted.  All he had to do was come back in the morning and sign the contracts.

Flea went home but immediately had second thoughts. He and a buddy stayed up doing heroin all night–and at seven in the morning, Flea called Johnny and said, “No, thanks.”  Probably a good move, huh? Turning down the job, I mean. Not the heroin part.

© 2026 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

If you spend any time at record shows or in record shops—anyplace you can find used physical products—you may stumble across some interesting counterfeit records.

A counterfeit release looks exactly like the real thing but was manufactured illegally by someone who is not the artist’s record label. This sort of piracy has been capped at the knees by the spread of streaming services around the planet, which has affected the sales of all physical products, including illegal stuff.

There are high-quality counterfeit CDs and LPs still to be found, many of which come from China and Russia.

But this is hardly a new thing. Even back in the 60s and 70s, there was something some record collectors call “mafia records.” These looked almost exactly like what you could buy in the store but were clever counterfeits. This was how some members of the mob earned.

Today, record collectors must beware of these fakes because they’re obviously not worth as much as the real thing.

© 2026 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

October 14, 1982. It had been a cool autumn Thursday in Toronto, with light showers that had lingered for hours. In the Rexdale neighbourhood near Pearson International Airport, almost all the 1,500 employees at the Litton Systems plant on Cityview Drive had gone home for the night. Only a few workers and security guards remained. Traffic was steady on Highway 27, which also ran in front of the plant.

Just before midnight, a stolen pickup van with British Columbia plates pulled up next to the main building. In the back were 550 pounds of dynamite.

Fuses were set, and boom! The explosion blew off the front wall of the two-storey building. No one was killed, but four night-shift employees and three cops were hurt. A few people in passing cars were also hit by the debris.

The damage was severe, with some estimates putting the bill at $50 million. The bombers fled under cover of the night.

We’d later learn that five people were involved, including the former bass player of a fierce Vancouver punk band.

This is episode 75 of Uncharted: Crime and Mayhem in the Music Industry. And this time, it’s the story of Canada’s punk rock terrorist bombing.

This is Episode 74 of “Uncharted: Crime and Mayhem in the Music Industry.” And this time, it’s the story of the mysterious death of Bobby Fuller.
In addition to the podcasts, you can hear Uncharted on these Corus radio stations (all times local):

• Toronto: AM 640 (4-5 am)
• London: 980 CFPL (4-5 am)
• Vancouver: 730 CKNW (1-2 am)
• Edmonton: 630 CHED (1-2 am)
• Calgary: QR77 (770 AM) (1-2 am)
• Winnipeg: 680 CJOB (1-2 am)

And don’t forget about my current national speaking tour that will feature a live Uncharted podcast presentation. Get your tickets here.

 

© 2026 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Here’s a trivia question.  Name two films that feature an on-screen appearance by The Tragically Hip.

Remember the curling movie, Men with Brooms?  The Hip shows up for about a second and a half as a curling team in the big bonspiel. If you blink, you’ll miss them.  All right, but what about the second film?

Trick question.  NO ONE has ever seen it.

Director Robert Altman shot a made-for-TV movie that acted as a pilot for a TV show.  It was centered around a rich computer geek who really wanted to be a guitarist.  At one point in the movie, he hires a group–the Tragically Hip–to play at a party.  However, the movie was never released, and no one (outside those connected with the production) has ever seen it.

© 2026 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Stelco has reportedly pushed back on accusations it breached its agreement with the federal government, saying they are “false,” and it “stands ready to protect its interests.”

This comes as Stelco begins laying off hundreds of workers, and faces threats of legal action from the federal government if those jobs are not preserved.

The Ontario-based steel manufacturer sent a letter responding to Industry Minister Melanie Joly after she sent a letter to Cleveland-Cliffs, the U.S.-based company which acquired Stelco in 2024. She also gave the company five days to respond.

Cleveland-Cliffs told Global News it sent a letter in response to Joly’s office on Oct. 9, although the response was not initially shared publicly.

Stelco’s letter to Joly, which was written by the company’s president and general counsel, Paul Simon, was shared with Global News Monday via a source who asked not to be named.

“Through our regular contact, the government has had significant advance notice of the impact these unprecedented market conditions have had on our business, and in more recent communications dating back to July 2026,” the letter said.

“Our early September meetings with several senior government officials, including representatives from your office, led Stelco to believe that the government understood the market realities confronting Stelco’s Hamilton Works finishing lines.”

Stelco, like Algoma and other Canadian steel manufacturers have been hit hard by U.S. tariffs of 50 per cent on Canadian steel imports, which led to a steep decline in sales to U.S. customers. The company said these market conditions have forced it to layoff up to 500 workers.

Joly responded on social media on Oct. 10 after reportedly receiving the letter from Stelco.

“The Government of Canada continues to expect Stelco to meet its legally binding commitments to employees. These commitments were agreed upon as undertakings under the Investment Canada Act and do not cease to apply because of changing business strategy or market conditions,” said Joly in the statement.

“As our legal team reviews the Stelco letter, all options are on the table.”

Canada gave U.S.-based Cleveland-Cliffs the go-ahead to purchase Stelco back in 2024 under the Investment Canada Act (ICA), which regulates foreign takeovers.

Speaking in the letter to Stelco last week, Joly said Canada’s approval of the deal was contingent on the new owner maintaining the number of union jobs and the majority of non-union positions.

Those conditions don’t expire just because “business strategy or market conditions have changed,” she added.

“This is particularly relevant here, where Cleveland-Cliffs has cited trade disruptions as affecting its operations at Hamilton Works, notwithstanding its chief executive officer’s public support for Section 232 tariff measures,” Joly said.

Stelco pushed back on Joly’s accusations in its letter, and said it “remains in compliance” with the undertakings in the agreement from 2024.

“Stelco submitted its annual report confirming its compliance with the employment undertakings in November 2025. That report highlighted that Stelco was facing significant challenges due to the unforeseen consequences stemming from unprecedented U.S. tariffs and Canada’s failure to advance an effective ‘Fortress North America’ trade regime,” the letter said.

“Your representation that Stelco’s planned layoffs cause it to breach its undertakings is false as the undertakings do not stipulate a commitment to avoid layoffs.”

When the layoffs were first announced last month, Prime Minister Mark Carney said the company “betrayed” Canadian workers and insisted “there’s money on the table” to keep employees on the job.

In an exclusive interview with Global News from Sept. 30, Lourenco Goncalves, the chairman and CEO of Cleveland-Cliffs, said the company’s decision was purely market-driven and that financial incentives could not fix the fundamental issues.

“I’m not shutting down, I’m not dismantling,” Goncalves said during a 10-minute phone call. “There’s no market in Canada for the amount of galvanized steel we produce in Canada. We need to export… to the United States.”

“Until we reestablish that, there’s nothing we can do, nothing.”

The union representing the roughly 500 steel workers facing potential layoffs, USW Local 1005, said it was not consulted nor did it have an opportunity to review those undertakings in the ICA.

“We were assured by both Cleveland Cliff’s and the Federal Government that bargaining unit employment levels would remain the same for 5 years. In other words no layoffs,” said the union’s president Ron Wells in a statement.

“Although we weren’t privileged to the signed agreement between Cliff’s and the Government, the response reeks of desperation as the original explanation of Stelco being victims of Trump’s steel tariffs wasn’t flying.”

Stelco, in the letter to Joly, denied wrongdoing, and based on the information presented to the federal government throughout the trade war, and the government’s own guidelines, the company said:

“In a situation such as this, Stelco should not be responsible for any non-compliance with its undertakings. Stelco stands ready to protect its interests consistent with the Investment Canada Act and its guidelines.”

Global News sent requests for comment to Stelco and Cleveland-Cliffs, but neither responded by publication.

– With files from Global News’ Colin D’Mello and The Canadian Press

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

As Albertans get set to head to the polls next week, one political expert is saying she sees no real threat to Canadian unity, but the results of the referendum may be challenging to interpret.

“I don’t see why these are referendum questions at all,” Grace Skogstad, a professor emeritus in the department of political science at the University of Toronto told Global News.

Albertans will be given 10 ballots for 10 different questions. The first nine questions are related to immigration and the Constitution.

The last question asks whether or not the Government of Alberta should “commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada.”

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has said she hopes Albertans vote yes to the first nine questions to give her some leverage to negotiate with the federal government.

But Skogstad said the Alberta government doesn’t have the full authority to act on some of the constitutional questions.

Question seven asks voters if they support Alberta working with other provincial governments to abolish the Senate.

“The Senate has to approve, it has a veto over whether it’s going to be abolished or not so you can work with other provinces all you want on that one because ultimately it would be the Senate that’s going to decide there,” Skogstad said.

She said other questions are very broad and may be challenging for Albertans to vote yes or no.

Question four asks voters if they support the government charging fees for non-permanent residents to access healthcare and education systems.

“There’s two questions there. One is about health care, and one’s about education. So what do you do if you’re a voter and saying, ‘okay, well, I think they should definitely be able to get access to the education system, but maybe not to the health’,” Skogstad said.

“The results will be difficult to interpret, in my view.”

Skogstad said separation movements are typically based around national grievances, like Quebec’s focus on language and culture. But Alberta’s referendum is largely based around economic grievances.

“I’ve always thought that economic grievances are matters to be settled by public policy,” she said. “You elect a government that can go and negotiate with another, in this case, the Government of Canada.”

She added that the entire process of holding a referendum is one that is “very disruptive.”

“What we’re seeing here now is that you’ve got the province being divided amongst itself,” Skogstad said.

The choice to separate would also have repercussions for the rest of Canada.

In his Thanksgiving video message from Alberta, Prime Minister Mark Carney said separation would be a “long, uncertain process” at a time when Canada as a whole “is working.”

At the beginning of October, the Government of Canada listed the Pacific Link pipeline as a project of national interest.

The pipeline, which would be equally owned by the governments of Canada and Alberta, would transport oil from Edmonton to a deep-water terminal off the coast of B.C. for export to Asian markets.

“We can’t achieve any of this if we are divided,” Carney said in his message.

The Prime Minister’s press secretary told Global News in a statement Monday that Carney is expected to be in Alberta in the coming days “to deliver a pro-Canada message of unity.”

Advanced polls open Tuesday

Elections Alberta has been working around the clock to prepare for what could be a very large number of voters.

Michelle Gurney, a spokesperson for Elections Alberta, told Global News they have received 650,000 special ballot requests, compared to 59,000 for the 2023 provincial general election.

An Ipsos poll conducted for Global News in September found a strong majority (76 per cent) of Albertans are aware there are several questions in the upcoming referendum. Eighty-one per cent of Albertans said they plan to vote in the referendum with 62 per cent saying they will vote on all 10 questions.

In 2023, 60 per cent of Albertans took to the polls.

To accommodate the influx of voters, as well as a larger number of ballots, Elections Alberta has hired more than 44,000 election workers. Gurney said they will continue to hire up until election day Oct. 19.

John Brennan, an Edmonton-based political analyst, told Global News he believes most Albertans have already made up their minds on how they will answer each question, but the logistics around voting could prove challenging.

“The only thing I can see hindering people from voting on the 19th is if they show up at the polls, say 5 or 6 o’clock and they see a long lineup out into the street and go ‘oh, I can’t do that.'”

Advanced voting begins Tuesday and Gurney said getting out to vote early could help curb the chances of being stuck in long lineups.

“There’s five days of advanced voting from Oct. 13 to Oct. 17 and look for the off-peak times like mid-morning after lunch,” Gurney said. “We tend to see more of a rush after dinner so we encourage people if you are concerned about how long you’ll be at the voting location to just consider the time that you can show up.”

Gurney said bringing your voter card can help speed up the process, but any registered voter can vote with a piece of ID.

Advanced voting locations can be found on Elections Alberta’s website.

– With files from Jazan Grewal and Jasmine King

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

The Curator independently decides what topics and products we feature. When you purchase an item through our links, we may earn a commission. Promotions and products are subject to availability and retailer terms.

From small, raised bumps and unsightly whiteheads to blistering hormonal zits—when it comes to acne, I’ve experienced it all. “You’ll grow out of it!” they said. I never did. As a thirty-something-year-old still battling blemishes on a daily basis, my journey feels far from over.

And I’m not alone: According to the Acne and Rosacea Society of Canada, adult acne affects up to 22 per cent of Canadian women. No matter the cause—clogged pores, stress, genetics—breakouts are a true confidence killer. Sure, strategically swept bangs and concealer can help hide imperfections, but redness and pustules still persist.

Insert: pimple patches, my favourite way to give pesky blemishes some targeted attention. But do they actually work? Yes–especially on surface-level whiteheads. Harnessing the power of hydrocolloids, they act as a moisture barrier, extracting impurities like pus and fluid while shielding skin from dirt and bacteria. A powerful defense against flare-ups, some patches are even discreet enough to wear under makeup.

From barely-there designs to playful, notice-me-patches, these pimple patches from Hero Cosmetics, Rael, Starface and more make targeted spot care a little easier.

 

 

Exceeding all others in pimple-absorbing prowess, these award-winning patches are truly wow-worthy. Designed with a matte finish, they’re virtually invisible. In fact, I once lasted through an entire dinner party without a single mention of a sticker on my face. After only six hours, my whiteheads miraculously vanished.[/product_listing]

Key ingredients: Vegan hydrocolloid  |  Best for: Shrinking pesky whiteheads in a pinch.

 

Containing a powerful blend of salicylic acid, tea tree oil and retinol, these potent healing dots keep clogged pores and inflamed skin at bay. While I find these pimple patches to be slightly more noticeable than the rest, they do an impressive job at reducing blemishes to the point of no return. Even my redness disappeared.[/product_listing]

Key ingredients: Hydrocolloid, salicylic acid, retinol and aloe vera leaf extract  |  Best for: Penetrating pores and targeting blackheads.

 

Since these patches are on the thicker side, I prefer to use them overnight. Rest assured, they seriously stay put, even through tossing and turning. Come morning, they’re just as easy to remove as they were to apply.[/product_listing]

Key ingredients: Hydrocolloid  |  Best for: Calming inflamed breakouts overnight.

 

These adorably colourful patches make acne treatment exciting. Both pleasing to the eye and the skin, the unique star shape hugs difficult contours of the face like the corners of the nose, but it’s fun to use them all over because…how cute? Your kids and teens will love them. Plus, they come conveniently packaged in a delightful compact complete with a mirror, perfect for on-the-go treatment.[/product_listing]

Key ingredients: Hydrocolloid  |  Best for: Pimples in difficult-to-reach areas.

 

You may also like:

Oxy Deep Pore Acne Vanishing Treatment – $7.18

Attitude Mineral Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide – $29.99

Murad Deep Relief Acne Treatment – $61

 

Leave it to rhode to make spot care feel like a skincare accessory. These 100 per cent hydrocolloid patches absorb excess oil and create a protective barrier, helping blemishes look smaller, flatter and less red. A comfortable, second-skin feel plus a sweatproof, waterproof finish makes them an easy pick for spot care on the go. Plus, we have major heart eyes for the sweet strawberry design.[/product_listing]

Key ingredients: Hydrocolloid  |  Best for: Stylish spot coverage with a comfortable feel.

 

Not only are these invisible spot covers hypoallergenic, but they are also designed with tapered edges and a clear, matte finish that seamlessly blends in with all skin tones. Wearing these in public is never embarrassing, and I love that the pack of 48 comes with two different sized patches, leaving no blemish untreated.[/product_listing]

Key ingredients: Hydrocolloid  |  Best for: Invisible treatment of on-the-surface spots.

 

Equipped with a whopping 120 pimple patches that are small, medium and large in size, this pack is the best bang for your buck. They work like a dream, swiftly removing pimple gunk in just six to eight hours. If you’re a pimple patch devotee, you’ll want to stock up on these babies before they sell out.[/product_listing]

Key ingredients:  Hydrocolloid and tea tree oil  |  Best for: Pimple patch devotees.

 

You may also like:

Hypochlorous Acid All Natural Face and Skin Spray – $18.95

Neutrogena Body Clear Acne Body Wash – $11.87

Skinfix Resurface+ AHA/BHA Niacinamide Exfoliating Pads – $68

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Toronto police say one individual died and two others were seriously injured in a collision in the city’s east end.

Police say officers responded to a call about a collision in the area of Lawrence Avenue East and Scarborough Gold Club Road on Sunday shortly after 9:50 p.m.

Officers say a BMW sedan that traveled eastbound on Lawrence Avenue East collided with a westbound Ford Escape turning left into a driveway

They say a 68-year-old female passenger in the Ford was taken to hospital, where she died.

Police say two males were taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

An investigation is ongoing and police are asking anyone with information to come forward.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

NEW YORK – Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews is the NHL’s first star of the week.

Matthews led the league with nine points (three goals, six assists) across three games, including a pair of four-point outings.

He had a goal and three assists, scoring the overtime winner, in a 5-4 comeback win against Nashville last Tuesday. It was his 15th career overtime goal, good for second on the Maple Leafs all-time list.

Matthews closed the week with a two-goal, two-assist showing in a 6-3 win over Colorado on Saturday for his 19th career four-point game.

Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger had a 2-0-1 record on the week, allowing just one goal on 60 shots. He opened the week with a pair of shutout wins against San Jose and Buffalo before a 2-1 shootout loss to Pittsburgh on Saturday.

New York Rangers left-winger Alexis Lafreniere paced the NHL with five goals, adding two assists on the week. He had his third career hat trick and second career four-point game in a win over the New York Islanders last Tuesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 12, 2026.

© 2026 The Canadian Press