The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame welcomed four musical acts, including the Tragically Hip, into its ranks at a prestigious event held at Toronto’s Massey Hall. The band members, paying tribute to their late member Gord Downie, shared heartfelt moments as they accepted the honor on stage. Guitarist Rob Baker delivered a message from Downie, expressing gratitude for inclusion in the songwriters’ cabal.
Joining the 2026 class were Feist, the songwriting duo of Loverboy (Mike Reno and Paul Dean), and French-Canadian artist Roch Voisine. The event featured captivating performances by various artists, covering a range of musical genres from arena rock to indie pop to love ballads, with the crowd fully engaged and appreciative.
The evening concluded with a touching tribute to the Tragically Hip, symbolized by a purple hat on a microphone stand in honor of Gord Downie. Allison Russell, among the performers, conveyed emotional sentiments before and after her rendition of the Hip’s hit “Wheat Kings,” expressing everlasting love for Gord.
In his speech, Rob Baker reflected on the band’s journey and praised Gord Downie as a remarkable frontman. The event also saw Finneas induct Feist, with both artists delivering heartfelt speeches and performances, highlighting the impact of music on their lives.
The celebration further included energetic tributes to Loverboy and emotional performances by Roch Voisine and Isabelle Boulay. Our Lady Peace concluded the night with a powerful rendition of the Tragically Hip’s “Locked in the Trunk of a Car,” honoring the legacy of Gord Downie and inspiring the audience to pay homage to the late frontman.