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I spent most of last week in Montreal, and I’ll soon be blogging about Schwartz’s, poutine, graffiti, an amazing beer bar and, most importantly, the M for Montreal festival. But before looking at the next great artists coming out of Canada, I’d like to give a run down of my Top 10 Canadian musical acts of all time (including bands made up primarily of Canadians). For a country of only 33 million people, our Northern neighbors have had an enormous impact on popular music. Even the list of great Canadian musicians who didn’t make my Top 10 (Barenaked Ladies, Feist, The New Pornagraphers, Destroyer, Kathleen Edwards, Stars, Daniel Lanois, Broken Social Scene, etc.) is impressive. So, Canadians, the comments section is where you try to convince us how great The Tragically Hip really was—or let me know who else I'm missing.
10. Rush (Toronto, Ontario)
Forget the 40 million records sold worldwide (even though that's more record sales than the total number of Canadians). They make the cut because they're ridiculously good musicians.
Recommended album: Moving Pictures
9. Ron Sexsmith (St. Catherines, Ontario)
The melodies that flow from his head are as good as anyone's, Canadian or not.
Recommended album: Cobblestone Runway
8. Cowboy Junkies (Toronto, Ontario)
Also one of the best sibling combinations of all time.
Recommended album: The Trinity Session
7. Rufus Wainwright (Montreal, Quebec)
He's a citizen of both the U.S. and Canada and the pride of Montreal.
Recommended album: Want One
6. Bruce Cockburn (Ottawa, Ontario)
With 22 studio albums, everybody's got a different favorite, but I'm going with the first one of his I heard.
Recommended album: Dart to the Heart
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Not even a mention of the Guess Who?
Let's the haters hate (as they do, and will) on Rush. "The Spirit of Radio" is such an incredible song, and really, all you need as a counterargument.
it's a difficult list to make, and Neil does deserve to be at the top... cept, Sloan needs a shout out. And the Hip perhaps do need to be on the list. They ooze Canadiana. I would take them over Rush any day as I can't stand whosits voice. ugh.
Does anyone actually listen to Leonard Cohen albums? Leonard Cohen songs as performed by others, sure, but ...
And Weakerthans! Weakerthans! Weakerthans! #4 I'm telling you, right behind Neil and Joni and Cockburn.
And yes, Sloan does need a shoutout.
And Gordon Lightfoot needs a shoutout. As does Godspeed You, Black Emperor! (The exclamation point is theirs, not mine).
I'm still hoping for the Rush/Celine Dion Closer to the Heart/My Heart Will Go On mega-medley at the American Music Awards, or something.
You're right, Andy. Weakerthans need a shout out, and here's mine. They ruled our SXSW party earlier this year. And the Canadians came out in force and sang along with every song. Great show.
Cockburn should have been higher on the list. And a mention of Guess Who/BTO would have been nice. I love Neil and Cowboy Junkies.
Tons of people listen to Leonard Cohen albums! Well, I do. And a couple of my friends. So, at least three people.
But the New Pornographers and Broken Social Scene really need to be on here, since they basically have a co-monopoly on the indie supergroup genre. Half the music on a given twentysomething's iPod wouldn't exist without them.
Rush barely making this list at #10 is absolutely ridiculous.
Have you even heard of Blue Rodeo? Obviously not.
No respect for Bryan Adams? The best simple, old fashioned rock and roll of the 80's!
This Oregonian needs to weigh in here. First I want to say thank you to my Northern neighbors for all the great music you've brought us, as indicated by these acts. BUT, I must also put in a strong word for SLOAN! They are the most consistent power pop band of the last 20 years! Sub out Cowboy Junkies and put them in.
Other props for Blue Rodeo, New Pornographers, and yeah, The Tragically Hip. And one little mention of one of my favorites, Treble Charger.
thanks for the list!
1. The Hip
2. Our Lady Peace
3. Rush
4. Billy Talent
5. April Wine
6. Toronto
7. Red Rider
8. Kim Mitchell/ Max Webster
9. Loverboy
10. Alanis Morisette
I have thought about this list for a long time.
11.Jeff Healey
12. Sloan
13. The Headpins
14.Sum 41
15.Helix
16.BTO
17.Neil Young
18.Saga
19.Honeymoon Suite
20.Mathew Good Band
Top that!!!
No Tragically Hip In the Canadian top 10.....NO CREDIBILITY