Search results
- Snow. If Snow had never done anything other than be a reggae-influenced Canadian rapper named Snow, it would be enough to wholly solidify his historical legacy.
- Martha and the Muffins. Martha and the Muffins blew out of Toronto’s New Wave scene with their classic 1980 club hit “Echo Beach.” Martha Johnson sings in the relatable voice of an office clerk, bored at her 9-to-5 job, fantasizing of a romantic beach escape all by herself, over herky-jerky guitar/synth churn.
- Terri Clark. The much-revered era of Nineties country just wouldn’t have been the same without the contributions of Terri Clark. The Alberta-born singer got her start playing for tips (and a $15 flat rate) at Nashville’s famous honky-tonk Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge in 1987, and raced into the Top Three just a few years later with her 1995 debut single, “Better Things to Do.”
- April Wine. Pioneering arena rockers April Wine moved from Halifax to Montreal at the start of the Seventies, and then spent the rest of the decade churning out tuneful, middle-of-the-road rock hits, alternating between sentimental, keyboard-sweetened love songs, and upbeat, guitar-heavy love songs.
- Rush. 10,812 votes. As one of the best Canadian rock bands of all time, this trio has garnered international acclaim for their skilled musicianship, particularly the virtuosic skills of their drummer and lyricist.
- Leonard Cohen. 2,910 votes. Often characterized by his deep, gravelly voice and poetic lyrics, this iconic singer-songwriter has left an indelible mark on the world of music.
- The Guess Who. 6,786 votes. Emerging in the late 1960s, this legendary rock group helped put Canadian rock on the map with their infectious blend of blues, jazz, and pop influences.
- The Tragically Hip. 9,021 votes. Formed in 1984, this iconic rock band quickly become beloved for their introspective lyrics, distinctively Canadian themes, and powerful live performances.
- Shawn Mendes
- Drake
- Rufus Wainwright
- Broken Social Scene
- Diana Krall
- Daniel Lanois
- Gordon Lightfoot
- Joel Plaskett
- Cowboy Junkies
- Feist
Like Justin Bieber, Mendes parlayed his internet stardom (Vine in his case) to full-fledged pop stardom. Over the course of three albums, Mendes set himself apart with his passionate vocals and acoustic guitar mastery, imbuing the sometimes-staid model of pop-rock with tension and longing. Along with a string of hit singles “Treat You Better,” “Mer...
While rappers like Dream Warriors and K-os were underground upstarts in the 90s to early 2000s, no Canadian artist was able to achieve mainstream popularity until former child-actor-turned-rapper, Drake, put Canada on the hip-hop map – becoming one of the biggest-selling and influential rap stars in the world. From co-founding Canadian record label...
Technically one-half Canadian, Rufus Wainwright is the progeny of Kate McGarrigle (one-half of the signing folk sensation The McGarrigle Sisters) and 60s folk sensation Loudon Wainwright III, along with his sister Martha. The Montreal native got his start singing on the Montreal club circuit before establishing himself as one of the preeminent sing...
We’re cheating a bit here, as this group contains many of the best Canadian musicians. We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the hugely influential Canadian alt-rock collective, Broken Social Scene. Since forming in 1999 with core members Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning, the duo recruited the best of Toronto’s indie scene to perform on their ambient r...
Is Diana Krall the best Candian jazz musician? She certainly ranks up there in the jazz vocalist category. As one of the most acclaimed and successful jazz performers today, Diana Krall has made a career honoring the greats (Cole Porter, Peggy Lee, Nat King Cole) while ever-expanding the definition of the American Songbook. With her dark, soulful v...
Hailed by Rolling Stone as “the most important record producer to emerge in the ’80s,” Lanois is one of the best Canadian producers/composers/musicians and has worked with the likes of Brian Eno (Apollo: Atmospheres And Soundtracks), Peter Gabriel, Bob Dylan, Emmyous Harris and is the man behind U2’s Joshua Tree and The Unforgettable Fire. In his f...
Canada has a long tradition of singer-songwriters and that’s partly in thanks to its own “folksong laureate,” Gordon Lightfoot. Coming out of the Toronto 60s folk music scene, Lightfoot’s native country would become his lifelong muse, penning such classics as “Canadian Railroad Trilogy” and “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” and yet universal enough ...
This multiple JUNO award-winning singer-songwriter is the clear heir apparent to The Tragically Hip, both in terms of writing energetic folk-rock with lyrical homage to Canada and for his relative obscurity outside of the country. Nonetheless, he’s one of the best Canadian musicians. Hailing from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Plaskett has a prolific output...
When Cowboy Junkies first arrived on the Toronto music scene in the mid-80s, people struggled to classify their genre-fluid blend of country, blues, folk, indie rock, but following their 1986 breakthrough The Trinity Session, they helped to define the emerging Americana genre. They became college radio staples thanks to their cover of Lou Reed’s “S...
1,2,3,4… name a better-known Canadian female singer who’s had one of the most unlikely success stories in popular music today? Before she was dominating the pop charts and performing on Sesame Street, the Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist, Leslie Feist, was performing with her then-roommate and electro-pop provocateur, Peaches. Shortly after...
Aug 1, 2023 · From legendary 1970s classic rocker Neil Young and 90s pop diva Celine Dion, to singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne, this compilation of Canadian native artists features a wide range of genres, such as heavy metal, alternative, R&B, hard rock, pop, punk, folk, country, hip-hop/rap, jazz, and even blues.
People also ask
Are Canadian rock bands popular?
Where do Canadian rock bands come from?
Who are Canadian Native artists?
Who is the most successful Canadian rock band?
- Rush. When talking about Canadian rock bands, there’s only really one place to start, and that’s with Rush. Formed in Toronto, Ontario, they’ve been playing together for over five decades since they began in the fall of 1968.
- Arcade Fire. Next up, we have Arcade Fire, who first formed in the summer of 2003, mixing the bandmates’ various musical tastes of bossa nova, punk, French chanson, and pop.
- Nickelback. Brothers Mike and Chad Kroeger formed Nickelback in 1995 with their cousins Brandon Kroeger and Ryan Peake in Hanna, Alberta. However, at that time, they were a rock cover band called Village Idiot.
- Sum 41. Our next band, Sum 41, started in Ajax, Ontario, in 1996 as a NOFX punk cover band. Eventually, their personal style grew to become heavier, darker, and metal-inspired.
Dec 28, 2023 · I’ve selected the best Canadian rock bands of all time, showcasing a rich array of talents from the Great White North that have left a lasting impact on the rock music scene. This compilation celebrates the diversity and skill of Canadian artists, offering a journey through the most influential and beloved rock bands that Canada has produced.
Jan 19, 2021 · Jan 19, 2021. COMMENT. Complex Original. Image via Complex Original. Complex Original. Image via Complex Original. Drake just became the first artist in history to generate 50 billion total...
