Burnaby punk legend, councillor collecting instruments for a rocking Christmas
Credit to Author: Stephanie Ip| Date: Wed, 04 Dec 2019 19:37:43 +0000
Rock ‘n’ roll Santa is coming to Burnaby.
Burnaby Coun. and local punk legend Joe Keithley is inviting the public to share the gift of music this holiday by donating unused instruments to his charity Harmony for All.
The charity aims to connect Burnaby youth who can’t afford instruments or lessons with opportunities to play music, in a bid to promote healthy development and learning. Instruments collected through the charity will be distributed to youth at a later date.
The councillor cites his own experience as an “awkward teenager” at Burnaby North Secondary and how music helped him build connections and make friends.
Joe Keithley of punk band D.O.A. is pictured in this 1989 handout photo.
Keithley soon went on to become known as Joey Sh-thead, guitarist and frontman for Canadian punk band D.O.A., often regarded among the founders of hardcore punk. Keithley, who grew up in Burnaby, was elected to council in 2018 as part of the Burnaby Green Party.
The charity’s next collection date is Saturday, Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Burnaby Artisan Farmer’s Market, located next to Burnaby City Hall, where Keithley and Burnaby firefighters will be on hand to accept instruments.
Instruments will be assessed for value and tax receipts will be issued.