Singer Carole Pope, who enjoyed success in the early ‘80s with her band Rough Trade’s hit single “High School Confidential,” is asking fans to help pay her bills as she recovers from surgery.
Last summer, the Toronto-raised 72-year-old underwent surgery for spinal stenosis, a condition where the spaces in the spine narrow and put pressure on nerves.
“While the surgery was a success, Carole has had to undergo months of expensive and rigorous physical therapy,” reads a message on a GoFundMe page set up by video director Jasun Mark.
Pope, who lives in Los Angeles, has limited mobility and has not been able to perform. “She still needs to continue with therapy for another 4-6 months to allow for a full recovery before she’s able to work again to support herself.”
According to Mark, medical bills and living expenses have drained Pope’s financial resources. “We estimate she’ll need to make up a deficit of about $10,000 to make it though the next few months,” he explained.
As of Tuesday, the campaign had raised $6,330 of its goal.
Pope, a multiple Juno Award winner, co-wrote "High School Confidential" with Kevan Staples. It was a Top 20 hit in Canada.
Pope is not the first Canadian music act to appeal to fans for financial support.
In July 2016, Canadian opera singer Measha Brueggergosman launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $4,500 after she was the victim of a break-and-enter. Months earlier, Canadian band Honeymoon Suite ran a successful PledgeMusic campaign to raise funds to record a new album. And, last October, Montreal band Anemone ran a GoFundMe campaign after their gear was stolen from a van while on tour in Oregon.