Photo by Grant W. Martin Photography

Leonard Cohen, Andy Kim, Col. Chris Hadfield to be inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame

Story by Howard Druckman | Monday July 23rd, 2018

The late Leonard Cohen, one of the world’s most iconic singer-songwriters, poets, and novelists – whose classic songs include “Suzanne,” “Bird on a Wire” and “Hallelujah” – is among the 10 honourees who’ll be inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame on Dec. 1, 2018, at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, in Toronto.

At the same awards show – the 20th annual edition of the event – Cohen’s fellow SOCAN members Andy Kim and Col. Chris Hadfield will also be inducted into the Walk of Fame. Kim, to be recognized in the Arts and Entertainment category, is an award-winning singer-songwriter whose career has flourished for 50 years. He’s best known for hits including “Baby, I Love You,” “Sugar Sugar,” and “Rock Me Gently,” and has sold more than 30 million records. Hadfield, to be honoured in the Science and Technology field, is the first Canadian to walk in space, the first Canadian spaceship commander, a New York Times bestselling author, YouTube sensation, renowned speaker, and singer-songwriter.

The other seven Walk of Fame honourees for 2018 are:

  • Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir (Sports and Athletics)
  • Andrea Martin (Arts and Entertainment)
  • Dr. Joanne Liu (Philanthropy and Humanities)
  • Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (Arts and Entertainment)
  • Jimmy Pattison (Business and Entrepreneurship)

The awards show will be followed by a gala celebration at the Fairmont Royal York, and the show will air on CTV in December 2018. SOCAN members previously inducted include Stompin’ Tom Connors, Michael Bublé, Rush, Sarah McLachlan, Blue Rodeo, The Tragically Hip, Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot, Nickelback, and k.d. lang.

Photo by Brad Ardley. Adam Fujiki (centre), with/avec SOCAN's Aidan D’Aoust (left/gauche) and/et Melissa Cameron-Passley (right/droite)/de la SOCAN.

SOCAN presents two No. 1 Song Awards to Universal Music Publishing Canada

Story by Howard Druckman | Wednesday July 25th, 2018

SOCAN presented two No. 1 Song Awards to Universal Music Publishing Canada at the SOCAN Toronto offices, on July 12, 2018 for publishing a pair of chart-topping hits by Shawn Mendes.

SOCAN A&R Representatives Aidan D’Aoust and Melissa Cameron-Passley presented Universal’s Adam Fujiki with awards for publishing Mendes’ “Mercy,” which topped the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 on Nov. 28, 2016, and “There’s Nothing Holding Me Back,” which peaked on the same chart on Aug. 26, 2017, as well as the Nielsen BDS Hot AC Chart on July 31, 2017.

“Mercy” was co-written by SOCAN member Mendes, and Teddy Geiger, Ilsey Juber, and Danny Parker (all BMI), while “There’s Nothing Holding Me Back” was co-written by Mendes with SOCAN member Geoffrey Warburton, Geiger, and Scott Friedman (BMI). Both songs are co-published by Universal Music Publishing Canada and Sony/ATV Music Publishing Canada.

SOCAN congratulates Adam Fujiki and Universal Music Publishing Canada on these great successes!

SOCAN congratulates new Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism

Story by Howard Druckman | Wednesday July 18th, 2018

SOCAN wishes to congratulate the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez on his appointment as Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism. Mr. Rodriguez’s record shows he’s committed to Canada’s cultural industries and providing our creators with the tools they need to prosper.

“We are delighted to see the arrival of Minister Rodriguez, a music lover and champion of creators, at the helm of the Department of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism. We will work with him to improve conditions for creators from coast to coast,” said SOCAN CEO Eric Baptiste. Among the main issues facing the new Minister are the reform of the Copyright Board and the review of the Copyright Act.

Mr. Baptiste also wishes to thank the Honorable Mélanie Joly for her attentiveness and work with Canadian creators in recent years. SOCAN wishes her the best of luck in her new role.