On September 28, 2023, Canada’s Walk of Fame celebrated 13 legendary rock acts from the ’70s and ’80s during a sold-out mega induction ceremony at Toronto’s Massey Hall. Part of the organization’s 25th anniversary, the event honoured April Wine, Chilliwack, Glass Tiger, Lee Aaron, Lighthouse, Loverboy, Max Webster, Michel Pagliaro, Platinum Blonde, Prism, Rough Trade, The Parachute Club, and Trooper.
Presented alongside official partners Anthem Entertainment and Live Nation Canada, the evening began with a star-studded red carpet where all inductees unveiled their commemorative stars. The ceremony opened with an inspirational poem by Ontario’s Poet Laureate Randell Adjei, followed by co-hosts Jeanne Beker, music and fashion icon and 2016 Inductee, and media legend Terry David Mulligan.
The show featured dynamic performances including The Trews opening with Trooper’s “Raise a Little Hell,” Loverboy’s “Working For the Weekend” performed by Mike Reno and Paul Dean, Rough Trade’s “High School Confidential” with Carole Pope, Kevin Staples, and drag entertainer Brooke Lynn Hytes, and a duet of “Whatcha Do to My Body” by Lee Aaron and Fefe Dobson. Other highlights included Glass Tiger’s “Don’t Forget Me When I’m Gone,” Lighthouse’s “One Fine Morning,” Platinum Blonde’s “Crying Over You,” and April Wine’s “Could Have Been a Lady,” performed by the band alongside Crown Lands.
The evening also featured tributes and presentations by notable Canadian DJs and media personalities such as Stu Jeffries, Steve Anthony, David Marsden, Christopher Ward, Michael Williams, Maie Pauts, Roger Ashby, Marilyn Denis, Monika Deol, Erica Ehm, Ingrid Schumacher, Alan Cross, Terry Dimonte, and Liz Janik.
Among the distinguished guests were Ontario’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Neil Lumsden, Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, CARAS President Allan Reid, Canada’s Walk of Fame Inductees Bob Ezrin, Andy Kim, and Jim Treliving, Sony Music Canada President Shane Carter, Just For Laughs President Bruce Hills, Toronto Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, TV personality Traci Melchor, and many more.
“Canada’s Rock of Fame was an electric evening honouring Canadian music icons whose invaluable contributions helped shape Canada’s vibrant music scene. With so many incredible talents under one roof, this unforgettable celebration is sure to forever remain an important part of Canadian music history,” said Jeffrey Latimer, CEO of Canada’s Walk of Fame.
Photography by Gerard Richardson
