Lukas Rossi performs Feb.5

BY HEATHER GREEN-OLIVER

Some people gave him flack, thinking stardom was handed to him when he was chosen to lead the band Rockstar Supernova with Gilby Clarke, Tommy Lee and Jason Newsted. The truth is Lukas Rossi has been working the music scene for most of his life.

His life-long love for music really paid off when he was 15 and started his first band, Cleavage. Eight years later the band would be awarded the title of 'Best Canadian Unsigned Band'. In 2005, Rossi moved from his hometown of Toronto to Montreal to build a new band, Rise Electric. In the midst of writing, recording and performing, Rossi was approached by EMI executive Barbara Sedun about the TV reality show Rockstar Supernova. Rossi then flew out to Vancouver for auditions and eventually went on to rock every performance for the shows live audience. Rossi's spine-tingling vocals and ability to convert any song into his own enabled him to beat out 14 other singers from around the globe.

Although the Rockstar Supernova album made platinum in Canada, and they performed sold-out shows around the world, the band members seemed to go their own ways after less than a year. However, Rossi was just getting started.

He began to put his feelings onto paper and decided to be true, not only to himself, but to his legions of fans that stuck by him through it all.

He teamed up with pianist Lou Dawson and decided to take a chance. With his wife Kendra Jade behind the wheel, the trio would set out on an International acoustic tour perfectly titled, Love & Lust. With more emotional songs and darker meanings, one can only imagine how nervous  Rossi must have been, pouring his true feelings out to crowds in the small bar scenes - but his fans loved it and even more fans were born. They appreciated his honest and humble nature that seems to be non-existent in today's music industry.

Rossi uses each day of his tour to help other people and spend more time with his fans. Hundreds bid on VIP tickets for each show and the chance to win a one-on-one dinner with him. A portion of the fundraiser goes to a charity that is close to his heart. Charities like, The SPCA, Breast Cancer Research and The Jason Foundation for Suicide Prevention are only a few.

Fans can visit www.lukasrossionline.com to find out where he's been, where he's going and to hear his latest music.

Whether it is the contests, blogs or hosting live video chats, Rossi and his team work very hard to keep his fans in the know. Rossi knows exactly what his fans want, and they love him for it. In return, they live, eat and breathe everything Rossi. He will be performing in Sudbury, along with Canadian Idol's Greg Neufeld, at the Nightclub on Tuesday, Feb. 5. Tickets are $15 and going fast. Call 705-675-6436 for more information.