13 Canadian Rock Legends of the 70s and 80s Welcomed Into Canada’s Walk of Fame’s Distinguished Ranks
Some of the most recognizable TV personalities and DJs of the time reunited on stage to help usher in the newest Inductees, including a special video appearance from JD Roberts (from The New Music on Much in the 70s) LIVE from the U.S.
View the Rock of Fame show gallery.
On Thursday, September 28, 2023, Canada’s Walk of Fame celebrated 13 rock legends from the 70s and 80s during a sold-out show at Toronto’s Massey Hall in a first-ever mega induction ceremony dubbed “Canada’s Rock of Fame.” The newly minted Inductees are April Wine, Chilliwack, Glass Tiger, Lee Aaron, Lighthouse, Loverboy, Max Webster, Michel Pagliaro, Platinum Blonde, PRISM, Rough Trade, The Parachute Club, and Trooper.
The evening, presented by Canada’s Walk of Fame, alongside official partners Anthem Entertainment and Live Nation Canada, began with a star-studded red carpet, where all of the Inducted bands and musicians unveiled their commemorative stars.
Following the red carpet, guests took their seats in Massey Hall to witness Canadian music history in the making. The celebration opened with an inspirational poem incorporating some lyrics from all of the band’s songs by the extraordinary Poet Laureate of Ontario Randell Adjei, before the evening’s co-hosts – music and fashion icon, radio and TV personality, and 2016 Inductee Jeanne Beker and radio host and media legend Terry David Mulligan – took the stage to introduce the first musical performance by award-winning East Coast rockers, The Trews who kicked off the show with a high-energy rendition of Trooper’s smash hit “Raise a Little Hell.” Following the performance, Boom 97.3’s Stu Jeffries welcomed Trooper to the stage to accept their award.
Radio and TV personality Steve Anthony (CHOM FM, CHUM FM, MuchMusic) recognized Loverboy before the band’s frontman Mike Reno and guitarist Paul Dean performed their iconic anthem “Working For the Weekend.” Up next, DJ David Marsden (CFNY-FM, CHUM-FM) introduced a show-stopping performance of “High School Confidential” by inductees Carole Pope and Kevin Staples of Rough Trade with renowned drag entertainer Brooke Lynn Hytes.
MuchMusic’s Christopher Ward paid tribute to Prism before young, promising emerging musician Charlie Edward gave a stellar performance of “Spaceship Superstar.” Michael Williams (CHOM-FM, MuchMusic) was on hand to honour Michel Pagliaro, who performed “What the Hell I Got,” while Maie Pauts (Boom 97.3, CFNY-FM) honoured Chilliwack. The band’s lead vocalist and guitarist, Bill Henderson had fans singing along to a memorable “Fly at Night” performance.
Long-time CHUM-FM morning show co-hosts Roger Ashby and Marilyn Denis presented the final tribute before intermission to Glass Tiger. The band performed their classic hit “Don’t Forget Me When I’m Gone,” to another enthusiastic standing ovation from the audience.
Lighthouse kicked off the second half of the celebration with “One Fine Morning” before TV host Monika Deol (MuchMusic, Citytv) introduced a video reel celebrating their achievements. American broadcaster JD Roberts (Fox News) made a surprise video appearance, and Erica Ehm (MuchMusic) introduced vocal powerhouses Lee Aaron and Fefe Dobson for an electrifying duet of “Whatcha Do to My Body.”
CHUM-FM’s Ingrid Schumacher honoured Platinum Blonde, before the band’s Mark Holmes and Sergio Galli had the audience on their feet with a performance of their high-energy hit “Crying Over You.” Music history aficionado Alan Cross (The Edge, Q107) celebrated Max Webster, and Charlie Edward returned to the stage to perform “Battlescar” with the band’s Gordie Johnson. Terry Dimonte (97.7 CHOM-FM, Citi-FM) introduced the East Coast’s beloved April Wine and rock duo Crown Lands sang the inductee’s hit song “Could Have Been a Lady.”
Liz Janik (CFNY-FM) delivered the final tribute of the evening to The Parachute Club. Lead singer Lorraine Segato surprised guests when she joined a specially curated Canada’s Walk of Fame gospel choir during their performance of “Rise Up”, bringing the audience to their feet. Closing out the evening, all the artists took to the stage for an epic class of 2023 photo.
This once-in-a-lifetime celebration was the first of two induction ceremonies taking place this year. Helping to honour the first cohort of CWOF’s class of 2023 were some of Canada’s most recognizable DJs and VJs from across the decades, who hosted the evening and presented to each of the Inductees.
Among the notable guests included Ontario’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Neil Lumsden and Ontario’s Finance Minister, Peter Bethlenfalvy (who graced the stage and each shared a story of music impact as they celebrated their gift of support from the Ontario Government for the 25th anniversary of Canada’s Walk of Fame and this event); President and CEO of CARAS and The Juno Awards, Allan Reid, 2013 Canada’s Walk of Fame Inductee, Bob Ezrin, 2018 Canada’s Walk of Fame Inductee Andy Kim, 2019 Canada’s Walk of Fame Inductee, Jim Treliving, President of Sony Music Canada, Shane Carter, President Just For Laughs (2022 Inductee), Bruce Hills, Music Executives, Denise Donlon, and Ray Danniels, Toronto’s Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, TV Personality Traci Melchor, and more.
“Canada’s Rock of Fame was an extraordinary evening honouring Canadian music icons whose invaluable contributions helped shape Canada’s vibrant music scene. It was a reunion of incredible talents who created the music and the DJ’s and radio personalities who told their stories. This unforgettable celebration will forever remain an important part of Canadian music history,” said Jeffrey Latimer, CEO of Canada’s Walk of Fame.
The star-studded Canada’s Walk of Fame 25th Anniversary Celebration takes place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on December 2, 2023. A special broadcast will air at a later date on CTV.
