Michael Hollett

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Michael Hollett is co-founder and co-owner of Toronto's longest-running free alternative newsweekly, Now Magazine and Now Communications Inc. He was also that magazine's first music editor.

Hollett was born in Oakville, Ontario to journalist parents. While at York University studying English, Hollett became editor of the university newspaper, Excalibur during the late 1970s. Hollett was active in left-wing politics during this period and was a supporter of the Socialist League.

Hollett went on to edit small-town newspapers throughout Ontario, including the Orangeville Citizen and the Caledon Citizen.

In 1981, Hollett co-founded Now, along with his then wife Alice Klein. The paper has remained independent ever since. Although a number of alternative weekly newspapars had been attempted in Toronto without success in the past, Now's early decision to be distributed without charge proved to be crucial in its success.

It has withstood competition from the now defunct Metro in the 1980s and the Toronto Star owned eye weekly.

The magazine also continues to reflect the left-wing slant that Hollett brought to it.

In 1995, Hollett became a founder of the North by Northeast (NXNE) music festival.

In 2004, he provided the liner notes for a greatest hits CD release by the band Blue Rodeo.

Hollett remains involved in activities related to the magazine, its website, and its publishing arm. He continues to contribute articles, particularly on music, as well.

Hollett resides in the Toronto neighbourhood of Riverdale. He is an avid hockey fan and player, and active with the Friends of Maple Leaf Gardens, an organization dedicated to the preservation of the historic hockey arena in downtown Toronto.