Top 10 Bands in Canadian History
Canada has a long, storied history of quality and, at times, underrated musical brilliance. Many of Canada’s most prominent talents are often associated with our neighbour to the south, as that’s where the majority of their concerts take place. However, it should be well documented that Canada’s musical scene can compete on a international level. It should be noted that this list is almost entirely based on personal preference, notwithstanding the fact that I will be taking public opinion into consideration while constructing this list (i.e. the lack of Nickelback).
Honorable Mentions: Sloan, Steppenwolf, The Sam Roberts Band, Teenage Head, Max Webster, Trooper, k-os, Lowest of the Low, Arcade Fire, July Talk, Wintersleep, The Sheepdogs
10. Bachman-Turner Overdrive
Ever since the falling out between leaders of The Guess Who, Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings, Canada was treated to a classic, won’t offend anyone, stereotypical Canadian sounding rock. Songs like ‘Hey You’, ‘Let It Ride’, and ‘Takin’ Care of Business’ have been mainstays on Canadian radio stations for years, and will continue to be for years to come. Not to mention the legendary status of ‘You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet’ which will always be BTO’s biggest hit. Their place in Canadian Rock History, and on this list, is irrefutable.
9. Great Big Sea
These Easterners are completely synonymous with the Maritimes. Although not the most popular band in Canada, Great Big Sea provided quality folk music for over twenty years. Tunes like ‘Ordinary Day’ have become anthems all around Canada. Frontmen Alan Doyle, and Sean Mccann are incredible performers and the sound that the overall band gives off is infectious. An incredible element of this band, is that nearly almost every single one of their songs is solid. All of these aspects allows Great Big Sea, which is even better live, a spot on this list.
8. 54–40
This band is the epitome of underrated Canadian bands. Listeners can enjoy classics like “Ocean Pearl”, “She-La”, and “One Day in Your Life”, and they are absolutely awesome. Although no singles ever made it into the top ten of Canadian charts, these Vancouverites have an incredible amount of reliable rock hits.
7. The Arkells
This Hamilton band has the potential to be the next big Canadian artist. With hits like ‘Whistleblower’ and ‘Private School’ rocking listeners all across the nation, its hard to miss these guys. The entire ‘Morning Report’ album is absolutley spectacular, and their lastest hit ‘Knocking at the Door’ is in the process of becoming one of the biggest rock hits in the world. The fact that Max Kerman may be the greatest Canadian frontman since Gord Downie doesn’t hurt their rep. either. The Arkells are right in their prime and only geared to climb this list in the future.
6. Barenaked Ladies
They sound good and they’re fun to listen to. What else could you want? Their accoldaes are endless, with even Sir Paul McCartney calling them one of his favourite bands to listen to. The song “One Week” was a major hit, getting to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for, fittingly, one week. They made the immensely popular ‘Big Bang Theory’ theme song. Their harmonies are great and thier music is fun. One could write an entire Medium article about them, but time is of the essenec. Next.
5. The Guess Who
Unlike an ‘American Woman’, we don’t want them to stay away from us. These guys have a countless amount of hits; ‘These Eyes’, ‘Hand Me Down World’ and ‘Clap for the Wolfman’ to name but a few. Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman formed a powerful 1–2 punch as they became a force to be reckoned with on the international music scene in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Their accolades are endless, including being inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1987. No list of Canadian bands would compelte without The Guess Who.
4. The Band
In 2004, Rolling Stone listed them at Number 50 in the top 100 Canadian bands of all time, and that is very well deserved. With Levon Helm leading the way, these Torontonians have one of the of the world’s most famous songs in “The Weight”. Recipients of the Grammy Lifetiem achievement award, The Band have collaborated with some increidbly famous artists like Bob Dylan, and Eric Clapton. Like the Guess Who, they have changed many of their members over the course of their existence, but they have remained a fixture of Canadian culture throughout their entirety.
3. Blue Rodeo
“Lost Together”, “Diamond Mine”, “Till I am Myself Again”, “Try” “Hasn’t Hit Me Yet”, “Bad Timing”, “5 Days in May”, the list is literally endless of incredulously solid songs that Blue Rodeo has released over the last three decades. Frontmen Jim Cuddy and Greg Keeler each have their strengths that they bring to the stage, which have resulted in the band being inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. At the forefront of Canadian music for 33 years, Blue Rodeo isn’t going anywhere, and we don’t want them to.
2. Rush
Personally, I am not a Rush fan. There, I said it. However, it is impossible not to acknowledge their lasting impact on Canadian music, as they are arguably the most famous band in Canadian history. Their talent level is off the charts, Geddy Lee is an excellant vocalist, and Neil Peart is arguably one of the best drummers of all time. Their commerical success outside of Canada is unheard of, for a Canadian rock band. Furthermore, they have a large and loyal legion of fans that will continue to rock out to hits like “Tom Sawyer”, “Spirit of the Radio”, and “Closer to the Heart” well after the trio is past their prime.
- The Tragically Hip
If Blue Rodeo has a ton of solid Canadian classics, double it…no triple it, for the Hip. This band is Canada. Period. Their Man Machine Poem tour last summer proved that. What other band would the CBC broadcast live their final concert? Millions of Canadians watched as the Hip took the stage for what might have been the final time. Gord Downie is a legendary frontman, he is the Canadian Freddie Mercury. It is tragic that Downie and this band in general may stop performing this early. But at least Canadians have been able to enjoy the Tragically Hip’s music for over 30 years. Their hits will live on in Canadian radio stations, and Canadians’ minds forever. At the number one spot on this list, The Tragically Hip truly were “Ahead by a Century”.
