The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (CSHF), presented by RBC, lit up Toronto’s Meridian Arts Centre on October 17 with a powerful celebration of Canada’s musical legacy. The 2025 Legends event honoured musical icons Andy Kim, Jane Siberry, Ian Thomas, Rik Emmett, Mike Levine and Gil Moore of Triumph, and Gino Vannelli, songwriters whose work has defined generations and helped shape Canada’s cultural identity on the world stage.
The night’s key moments centred on the inductions, as peers and close collaborators took the stage to honour the 2025 inductees. Revered Canadian singer songwriter k.d. lang inducted Jane Siberry, highlighting her singular artistry and lasting influence on generations of songwriters. “The most important thing is creating connection—for the listener and for you,” said Siberry. “Your intuition is your most trustworthy guide, and when you follow it, the flaws fall away. That’s where the magic happens.”
Murray McLauchlan inducted his longtime friend Ian Thomas, recognizing his craftsmanship and enduring body of work. Tom Cochrane inducted Triumph, reflecting on the band’s trailblazing career and impact on Canadian rock: “Triumph’s songs were the fuel that powered the spectacle. Behind the smoke bombs and lights, it was always about the songwriting—those anthems that lifted people up and became part of their lives.”
“In the end, it’s always the songs that tell the story,” added Triumph’s Rik Emmett. “The magic power of those songs is that they still speak to people about hopes, dreams, and fighting the good fight.”
Frank Davies, Chair and Founder of the CSHF, inducted Gino Vannelli. Reflecting on his fifty-five-year journey, Vannelli shared, “Songwriting isn’t about chasing fame; it’s about persistence, humility, and the daily ritual of creation. Study the greats, keep writing, and let your own voice emerge in time. That’s when you truly arrive as a songwriter.”
Ed Robertson delivered a humorous and heartfelt tribute to Andy Kim, underscoring Kim’s fearless reinvention and lasting contribution to pop music. “All I ever wanted to do was write songs, make records, and live a life bigger than my reality,” said Kim. “A guitar and a song—that’s all I ever needed. I’m humbled and honoured to be part of Canada’s musical story.”
The evening also featured a series of moving video tributes from musical luminaries honouring the inductees. Kiefer Sutherland, Alex Lifeson, Dee Snider, and Sebastian Bach reflected on Triumph’s lasting influence and artistry, while Michael Bublé and Burton Cummings shared their admiration for Gino Vannelli’s vocal mastery and songwriting legacy. Bryan Adams and Nile Rodgers paid heartfelt homage to Andy Kim’s pop brilliance, and Peter Gabriel offered a touching message in celebration of Jane Siberry’s creative vision and singular voice.
Performances throughout the night paired some of Canada’s most exciting contemporary and legendary artists with the inductees’ timeless classic songs. Montreal’s Clerel and RÊVE opened with Vannelli’s “Living Inside Myself,” while Alfie Zappacosta delivered a soulful rendition of “People Gotta Move”. Winnipeg folk singer Noah Derksen and rising star Sam Drysdale performed Ian Thomas’ hit “Painted Ladies”, followed by Thomas himself joining Rik Emmett and acclaimed musical director Lou Pomanti for “Right Before Your Eyes”. Broken Social Scene’s Kevin Drew delivered “Rock Me Gently” alongside Ed Robertson for Andy Kim, while Kirk Diamond and Kairo McLean delighted audiences with a reggae rendition of “Sugar, Sugar”. Housewife (Brighid Fry) performed a flawless version of Jane Siberry’s melodically ambitious “Mimi on the Beach,” followed by a stirring performance of “Calling All Angels” from singer songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk. The evening closed with JJ Wilde and Charlie Edward performing a high-voltage rendition of “Magic Power” and Rik Emmett reuniting with Bon Jovi guitarist Phil X for a powerhouse finale of “Lay It on the Line”.
“Songwriters shape the cultural soundtrack of our lives, yet too often their stories remain behind the scenes,” said Nick Fedor, Executive Director of the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. “Honouring our songwriting greats in events like Legends isn’t just about looking back—it’s about giving their contributions the spotlight it has always deserved and inspiring the next generation to carry that legacy forward.”
The Toronto celebration also spotlighted the next generation of songwriters with the presentation of the 2025 Breakthrough Songwriter Award, supported by the SOCAN Foundation and Amazon Music. This year’s non-francophone recipient, Nemahsis, was honoured for her powerful songwriting and meteoric rise on the Canadian and international music scene.
The French language edition of Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame’s 2025 Legends Induction Series will be held on November 17 at Montréal’s Espace St-Denis. The Montreal event will spotlight francophone and Indigenous voices, honouring François Cousineau, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Michel Pagliaro, and Florent Vollant. Tickets for the Montréal event are available through Espace St-Denis HERE.
With special thanks to our sponsors and partners: RBC, SOCAN, Hargraft Insurance, CMRRA, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, Anthem Music Group, the Songwriters Association of Canada, the Lewitt Family Foundation, the Slaight Family Foundation, and e=mc² Productions for their invaluable support in helping us celebrate and champion Canadian songwriters through these meaningful programs and events.
For more information about the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, visit www.cshf.ca.
