Andy Kim, Triumph, and More to Join Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame

Friday, 29 August 2025 00:05

This year’s inductees also include Jane Siberry, Gino Vannelli, and the McGarrigle sisters

This fall, some of Canada’s most beloved songwriters will be recognized for the music they’ve given the world. On October 17 in Toronto, and again on November 17 in Montreal, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame will welcome a new group of inductees in its Legends Induction Series.

At the top of the list is Andy Kim. If his name doesn’t ring a bell right away, his songs surely do. In the late 1960s he co-wrote “Sugar, Sugar” for The Archies, a track that spent four weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and went on to sell more than six million copies worldwide. A few years later, Kim scored another massive hit with his solo single “Rock Me Gently,” which topped charts in both Canada and the U.S. Now, fifty years later, that song is still played regularly on radio stations, and Kim remains one of Canada’s enduring pop voices.

Joining him are Triumph, the powerhouse rock trio from Mississauga made up of Rik Emmett, Gil Moore, and Mike Levine. In the late ’70s and ’80s, Triumph became known for anthemic tracks like “Magic Power,” “Lay It on the Line,” and “Fight the Good Fight.” Their blend of hard rock and progressive influences earned them a loyal following around the world, with sold-out arena tours and millions of albums sold. For many Canadians, Triumph stood alongside Rush as proof that Canadian rock bands could compete on the global stage.

Also being inducted is Jane Siberry, a songwriter with a very different style. Her poetic, experimental songs have been widely admired, and her 1991 track “Calling All Angels,” recorded with k.d. lang, remains one of the most haunting Canadian pop songs ever written. Siberry’s music has often blurred the line between pop and art song, and her work continues to influence a generation of singer-songwriters.

Gino Vannelli will be recognized for his soulful pop hits. Songs like “I Just Wanna Stop” and “Black Cars” brought him international attention, with his smooth vocals and polished production helping define the soft rock and adult contemporary sound of the late ’70s and ’80s.

Ian Thomas, another inductee, made his mark in the ’70s with songs like “Painted Ladies” and “Hold On.” His work has been covered by artists ranging from Santana to Bette Midler, showing just how far Canadian songwriting can travel.

The Montreal ceremony will celebrate more legends. Folk duo Kate & Anna McGarrigle wrote tender, witty songs that became staples of Canadian folk music, influencing artists like Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. Michel Pagliaro, who scored hits in both French and English, will be honoured for writing enduring songs such as “Lovin’ You Ain’t Easy.” François Cousineau, best known for film and TV scores, also helped shape Quebec’s pop scene, working with a young Céline Dion. And Florent Vollant, an Innu songwriter from Labrador, is being recognized for his contributions as one of the first Indigenous musicians to gain national recognition, both as a solo artist and as part of the duo Kashtin.

This year’s Legends Induction Series shows just how diverse Canada’s songwriting history really is, spanning bubblegum pop, arena rock, folk, soul, and Indigenous traditions. For fans, the concerts in Toronto and Montreal will be a chance to see these artists celebrated for the songs that became the soundtrack of Canadian life.

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