Each year, we pause to remember and celebrate the lives of those in the Canadian music community who are no longer with us. These artists, builders, and visionaries helped shape the sound and soul of this country — not just through their talent, but through the communities they built, the paths they forged, and the stories they left behind.
Below is a list of individuals we honour in our 2025 In Memoriam tribute. We are grateful for the music, the memories, and the lasting impact each person made on the industry and the people around them.
2025 In Memoriam Honourees
Dave “Squirrel” Allison – Musician
Mike Billard – Musician
Joel Bishop – Musician
Iain Booth – Musician, Engineer, Educator
Mike Bullard – Comedian, Talk Show Host
Bob Burchill – Musician
Jon Card – Musician
Michael Cavanagh – Opera Director
Pegi Cecconi – Queen of F*cking Everything
Tony Dewald – Musician, Label Owner
John Donabie – Radio Broadcast Veteran
Alan Duffy – Musician
Doug Elash – Musician
John “Farns” Farnsworth – Technician
David Farrell – Trade Journalist, Publisher, CMW founder
Jean-Pierre Ferland – ADISQ Hall of Fame Inductee
Mitch Funk – Musician
Jody Thomas Gaskin – Musician
Spyro Gazetos – Musician
Shirley Harmer – Singer
Al Harrison – Music Industry Veteran
Jim Heineman – Musician
Mark Hesselink – Video Producer/Director
Clyde Hill – Artist Manager, Promoter
Paul “The Hat” Hovan – Promoter
Garth Hudson – Canadian Music Hall of Fame Inductee
Elsworth James – Musician
Lionel Dean Jarvis – Musical Director, Composer, Musician
George Johns – Radio Broadcast Veteran
Karen Kane – Producer
Mark LaForme – Musician
Dee Lippingwell – Photographer
Jack Long – Musician, Musical Instrument Retailer
Bob Mackowycz – Radio Broadcast Veteran
Steven Edwin MacLeod – Sound Technician
Brad Marshall – Sound Technician
Devon “Mr. Metro” Martin – Musician
Mary Martin – Manager, Country Music Hall of Fame Inductee
Dave Martins – Musician
Jane McGarrigle – Musician, Manager
Stacie McGregor – Musician
Michael McMartin – Manager
Kevin Meikle – Tour Manager
John Naslen – Musician
Phil Nimmons – Musician
Rocket Norton – Musician
Rob Pattee – Agent, Manager
Wayne Patton – Music Industry Veteran
Skip Prest – Musician
Tracey Rai – Live Music Industry
Mélanie Renaud – Musician
Juan Rodriguez – Music Journalist
Rick Rose – Musician
Barry Samuels – Manager, Promoter
Jay Scott – Tour and Festival Manager
Robert G. Scott – Musician
Seymour “Puggy Simeon” Scott – Live DJ, Radio Broadcaster
Martin Shaer – Music Industry Veteran
Keith Sharp – Music Journalist, Magazine Publisher
Ted Shaw – Music Journalist
Nell Smith – Musician
Dr. Dan Smoke – Radio Broadcaster, former Chair JUNO Indigenous Music Advisory
Michael St Clair – Musician
Ray St. Germain – Musician
Wayne St. John – Musician
Lenny Stoute – Music Journalist
Sweer Daddy Siki, Singer
Ken Tobias – Songwriter, Producer
Tom Tompkins – Radio Broadcast Veteran
Julia Train – Music Industry Executive, Advocate
Stéphane Venne – Musician, Music Industry Veteran
Carole Vivier – Music Industry Veteran
Angus Walker – Musician
Vicki Walters – Music Publishing Veteran
Jim Waters – Radio Broadcast Executive, Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame Inductee
Paul Weldon – Musician
Alan Willaert – Music Industry Veteran
“Rusty” (Russell) Wilson – Musician
Tony Zorzi – Musician
