The Canadian Music Hall of Fame has inducted 50 musicians since 1978.
I recognize many of the names. There are many that I haven’t heard. I assume they primarily performed & recorded in Canada.
http://canadianmusichalloffame.ca/inductees/
Awesome that Bachman-Turner Overdrive got inducted in 2014. I love that group.
The guy who did the song about the poodle that took a piddle in the middle of the noodle dough. His name was Uncle Something-or-other. He was Canadian - he had to be!
I know.
How can it be anything but Neil Young? I can see Joni Mitchell or Leonard Cohen arguments. Even Arcade Fire. Rush is a tier or two below these.
Gordon Lightfoot
Great Big Sea
3 Neil Young / Anne Murray / Joni
It’s a tie between Nestor Pistor and Stompin’ Tom Connors.
Okay, seriously. I think this is going to come down to taste, as Canada has a huge number of accomplished, successful musicians.
From back in the 70’s and 80’s, I would add Lighthouse, April Wine, Tom Cochrane, Saga, Triumph, Loverboy, Bruce Cockburn.
Also, The Band, Ian and Sylvia, Paul Anka, Stppenwolf, Alanis Morrissette. We will not mention Celine whats-her-name or the bieber thing.
Many of the biggest writers and producers in Rock music also hail from Canada: David Foster, Bob Ezrin, Daniel Lanois among others.
New Pornographers or Sloan
I know a lot of you are going to gag when I mention Honeymoon Suite.
But not all music doesn’t have to be Earth shuddering with some deep message. Being entertaining and fun to listen to has value as well.
Another Lightfoot fan checking in.
Oh! The Stampeders.
They had one early, awful hit, “Sweet City Woman”, which is all most Americans know of them. Then three or four years passed and they signed to Capitol, and had a couple of albums that you wouldn’t think were the same group. Heavier, by no means astounding but still quite a number of eminently memorable tunes. Okay, I had to get them in there though I don’t mean to oversell it.
Rush, certainly; but if we’re going by sales, then someone has to at least mention Shania Twain.
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Definitely Leonard Cohen.
But I’d show some love for Drake, The Weeknd, Boards of Canada, The Weakerthans, Rush, Daniel Lanois, Beau Dommage, Stan Rogers, Rush, Gordon Lightfoot, Oscar Peterson, Spirit of the West, Neil Young and David Wilcox… for starters. There are many good artists not mentioned yet.
I have it on good authority that they’re dinks.
We’re trying to not go by sales to make sure nobody mentions Nicke… awww, fuck!
If, as would be appropriate, we judge their greatness by the frequency with which they tour Australia then Propagandhi must get a mention. I saw them here in 1994, 1997, 2009, 2011, 2014 and they are back again next month.
Boosting my ‘Rush’ argument this popped up in my Facebook feed. It’s a quote from Geddy Lee about whether they would skip the bands Hall of Fame induction ceremony after being left out for so long.
“Oh no, that wouldn’t be very gracious. We’re Canadian.”
OK, I thought this thread concerned the “greatest” Canadian artist, group, etc. But it seems that a lot of replies here fit more into “any Canadian I can think of”. Since we’re going there: Craig Farraway.
If we’re talking about an overall combination of greatness, talent, and impact, is is awfully hard to argue with Neil Young. Rush is a great band, but I just don’t think their songs are nearly as good. In terms of musicianship and lasting appeal they’re incredibly impressive; in terms of pure instrumental skill they are absolutely #1. In terms of songwriting skill, though, they aren’t even in the top ten, easily beaten by not only Neil Young, but also the Tragically Hip, Joni Mitchell, Blue Rodeo… heck, Kim Mitchell/Max Webster has more really catchy tunes. I would have to agree Alanis Morrisette has more iconic songs, though she stuffed them all into a short period of time. Barenaked Ladies have a shocking number of really first rate songs. Catchy tunes matters. But everything matters. I can’t seriously put forth the Hip as the greatest ever, because while they have exceptional success, great songs, and lasted a long time, their musicianship is not first rate and they had no impact outside Canada. Alanis Morrisette was huuuuuuge worldwide with great songs… for just a couple of years.
When you consider every element - influence, musical skill, commercial success, critical acclaim, outstanding songs, lasting success impact on culture - to my eyes Neil Young is a clear frontrunner. He’s A-plus in every regard.
Guilty as charged. But forgive me, I use the Dope as a distraction at my job, which I can’t discuss publicly, but I will say involves the words “launch code”.
Well then I think your favorite is the best! Now please step away from the buttons…
