JUNO WHO WON?
Cohen, Downie honoured
Even from the afterlife, Leonard Cohen is still dominating the Canadian music scene, with his swan song You Want it Darker taking home album of the year honours at the Juno Awards on Sunday night.
The record, the 14th and final release from the legendary Montreal-born songwriter, was released on Oct. 21, just three weeks before Cohen passed away at age 82.
Cohen was also posthumously awarded artist of the year at Saturday’s gala, and his legacy was honoured in an emotional tribute Sunday by Feist, who performed Cohen’s Hey That’s No Way to Say Goodbye, following an introduction from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Sophie Gregoire Trudeau.
Trudeau called Cohen “One of the greatest artists Canada has ever produced,” and recalled the friendship Cohen enjoyed with his father, Pierre Elliott Trudeau.
“We recognized ourselves in what he wrote,” said Gregoire Trudeau.
Cohen was also nominated for songwriter of the year, an award that went to Gord Downie, who also won three Juno awards the previous night, including rock album of the year for The Tragically Hip’s Man Machine Poem, and for adult alternative album of the year for his own Secret Path, the story of Chanie Wenjack.
Downie delivered his thank-you speech in a pre-recorded message. “Thank you for following the sound you’ve sort of been hearing your entire life, for recognizing that we aren’t completely Canada yet,” Downie said, adding he hoped the album would be used to teach younger generations about truth and reconciliation.
“My dream would be that this record might help people,” Downie said.
The Tragically Hip were also named group of the year on the biggest night in Canadian music. Bandmates Rob Baker and Paul Langlois thanked just about everyone ever associated with the band, including Downie, before they were ushered offstage to the sound of their own hit Ahead By a Century.
Russell Peters and Bryan Adams showed off some of the early comic hijinks that would define their hosting turn in an introductory skit featuring a cameo from the Prime Minister, who made a special request — an unnecessary one, as it turned out — for Adams’ iconic Summer of ’69, which was later performed with an all-star cast.
After Peters noted Adams was still touring his “old songs,” Adams shot back, “You’re still doing your old jokes.”
Both stars stepped in to host after crooner Michael Buble cancelled to care for his young son, who was diagnosed with liver cancer last fall.
Peters caught some flak on social media for a joke at the outset of the broadcast calling Canada’s 150th anniversary “the 150th A.W. — after whites. … We’re somehow celebrating the arrival of white people.”
The funnyman then directed his ire towards our neighbours to the south, saying the U.S. is 241, “and they’re aging horribly, especially since January.”
The show kicked off in earnest with Buffy Sainte-Marie recognizing the “enduring presence of all First Nations, Inuit and Metis,” amid traditional indigenous dancers and the thundering beats of Ottawa’s A Tribe Called Red, featuring Tanya Tagaq.
The year’s breakthrough artist, Edmonton singer-songwriter Ruth B., was elated as she took the stage after besting Andy Shauf, Jazz Cartier, Tory Lanez and Kaytranada for the honours.
“The one thing I always wanted to hear on this stage — it doesn’t matter where you come from, no matter what you do, if you have a passion, follow it,” she said.
Jess Moskaluke was so taken with her win for country album of the year, she neglected a key piece of her wardrobe as she took the podium to accept her first-ever Juno.
“This is probably the coolest thing I’ve ever done — I didn’t even put shoes on,” she laughed. Her sophomore album Kiss Me Quiet bested entries from Dallas Smith, Gord Bamford, Aaron Pritchett and Chad Brownlee.
Rap superstar Drake, who was honoured Saturday with an award for international achievement, was shut out for the year’s best single, album, artist, rap recording and producer, and the Juno fan choice award, which was won by Shawn Mendes.
Sarah McLachlan was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, which included an introduction from former U.S. president Bill Clinton.
“I have the best job in the world,” said McLachlan. “Music is my church. It’s my comfort and salvation. Because of music my life has deeper meaning and a powerful sense of purpose.”
McLachlan performed in a broadcast that also featured songs from Dallas Smith, Shawn Mendes, July Talk, The Strumbellas, Ruth B., Arkells and Alessia Cara.
The 20-year-old Cara took the award for pop album of the year, a marquee category with fellow nominees Coleman Hell, Marianas Trench, Shawn Mendes and Tegan and Sara, and performed her hit Scars to Your Beautiful.
“Thanks for believing in it and for supporting me,” Cara said.