Top 10 Greatest Canadian Musicians and Bands

You a proud Canadian like me or just like that sound that comes from the great white north. Show your colours here.
The Top Ten
1 Rush Rush was a Canadian progressive rock band that was formed in 1968. The band has had an iconic lineup since 1975, which included Neil Peart (Drums, Percussion), Geddy Lee (Vocals, Bass, Keyboards), and the guitarist, Alex Lifeson. Peart passed away after a 3 year battle with brain cancer in January of... read more

Rush are one of the greatest bands to ever play. Neal Peart is probably the greatest drummer alive.

Rush is the best on this list. Triumph should take place of Shania Twain... then go up four places.

Look at the other list of Canadian bands. Rush is #1. There shouldn't be any position difference.

2 Neil Young Neil Percival Young is a Canadian singer-songwriter and musician, producer, director and screenwriter.

One of the finest songwriters to pick up a microphone.

3 Leonard Cohen Leonard Norman Cohen was a Canadian singer-songwriter, poet and novelist. His work explored religion, politics, isolation, sexuality and personal relationships. Cohen died on November 7, 2016 at the age of 82.
4 Gordon Lightfoot Gordon Meredith Lightfoot Jr. was a Canadian singer-songwriter who achieved international success in folk, folk-rock, and country music. He is credited with helping to define the folk-pop sound of the 1960s and 1970s.
5 Celine Dion Céline Marie Claudette Dion is a Canadian singer and businesswoman. She is best known for her song "My Heart Will Go On", which is the main theme of the 1997 film Titanic, which was the first film to gross $1 billion at the box office.

Her voice is absolutely exquisite & her range is extraordinary.

6 Three Days Grace Three Days Grace is a Canadian post-grunge/alternative rock band formed in Norwood, Ontario in 1992 with a line-up consisting of guitarist and lead vocalist Adam Gontier, drummer and backing vocalist Neil Sanderson, and bassist Brad Walst. Their original name was Groundswell until they changed it to... read more

I am really absolutely stunned they were not on here. I don't care if you don't like their music, because either way you cannot deny that they are one of the most popular Canadian bands with all their hits like- Just Like You, I Hate Everything About You, Home, Animal I have Become, Never Too Late, Riot, Pain, Break, The Good Life, its not even any competition

Yes, I'm a fan of Neil Young, and the others are pretty good too, but Three Days Grace is more my style, with meaningful ballads and wicked rhythm.

7 The Guess Who The Guess Who are a Canadian rock band formed in 1962. The band was formed in Winnipeg, Manitoba and is mostly known for their hit "American Woman".

These guys should not be under Three Days Grace, are you kidding me?

8 Anne Murray Morna Anne Murray known professionally as Anne Murray, is a retired Canadian singer in pop, country, and adult contemporary music whose albums have sold over 55 million copies worldwide.

Best voice ever.. Not just Canadian Number ones in country, pop, AC, Christian charts etc...

9 Bryan Adams Bryan Guy Adams is a Canadian singer, songwriter, record producer, guitarist, photographer, philanthropist and activist.

Ok, why is this guy only number 9?!?! Bryan Adams was one of the first artists I ever listened to, and I just love his music! Summer of 69, Somebody, Run to you, Everything I do, Please forgive me, the entire Spirit Soundtrack, and Heaven. Just to name a few reasons to listen to him.

I saw him live in 2009 (almost) by accident but I was impressed - he was in his 50s but he sounded great, as good as on his studio versions. He was very friendly and down to earth. Now I respect him.

Bryan should be much higher. He is true Legend from Canada. Amazing and so sweet voice

10 Joni Mitchell Roberta Joan Mitchell, professionally known as Joni Mitchell, is a Canadian singer-songwriter. Drawing from folk, pop, rock, and jazz, Mitchell's songs often reflect social and environmental ideals as well as her feelings about romance, confusion, disillusionment, and joy.

Guys, this is an upsetting day in music history. Joni Mitchell, one of the greatest singers and songwriters of all time, is behind NICKELBACK on this list. And she isn't even in the Top 10? Disgrace.

The Contenders
11 The Band The Band was a Canadian-American roots rock group formed in 1965 . Which originally consisting of Rick Danko (bass guitar, double bass, fiddle, vocals), Levon Helm (drums, mandolin, guitar, vocals), Garth Hudson (keyboards, saxophones, trumpet), Richard Manuel (piano, drums, vocals) and Robbie Robertson... read more

Yes!
So underrated such an amazing band

12 Arcade Fire Arcade Fire are a Canadian indie rock band based in Montreal, Quebec consisting of husband and wife Win Butler and Régine Chassagne, along with Win's younger brother Will Butler, Richard Reed Parry, Tim Kingsbury and Jeremy Gara.
13 Nickelback Nickelback is a Canadian post-grunge band formed in 1995 in Hanna, Alberta, Canada. The band is composed of guitarist and lead vocalist Chad Kroeger, guitarist, keyboardist and backing vocalist Ryan Peake, bassist Mike Kroeger, and drummer Daniel Adair.
14 Barenaked Ladies Barenaked Ladies is a Canadian rock band. The band is currently composed of Jim Creeggan, Kevin Hearn, Ed Robertson, and Tyler Stewart.

Hobesrky the best Canadian band ever. They have such a unique sound and continue to make great music even after hitting a few bumps in the road.

Without Stephen Page, The quality of the music And Live Show has gone down the tubes.

15 Billy Talent Billy Talent is a Canadian rock band from Mississauga, Ontario. They formed in 1993 with Benjamin Kowalewicz as the lead vocalist, Ian D'Sa on guitar, bassist Jon Gallant and drummer Aaron Solowoniuk.
16 Annihilator Annihilator is a Canadian thrash metal band founded in 1984 by vocalist, guitarist, bassist, songwriter, engineer, producer, mixer and mastering engineer Jeff Waters and former vocalist John Bates.

The best Canadian metal band. Jeff Waters is a guitar virtuoso and amazing songwriter.
Check out their song "Alison Hell" and pay attention to the guy with the red T-shirt: his riffs, his solo and his backing vox when he sings "Aaaa-lison hell". He also wrote the music and lyrics.

Annihilator is one of my top 5 favorite bands of all time.

The best metal band from Canada. These guys are awesome. Metal fans from all over the world appreciate them.
Their song Alison Hell is widely considered as a metal masterpiece, and it's not the only one.
Other songs - Human Insecticide, 21, Phantasmagoria, King of the kill, Trend, Set the world on fire

17 Shania Twain Shania Twain is a Canadian singer and songwriter. She has sold over 100 million records, making her the best-selling female artist in country music history and among the best-selling music artists of all time.
18 Avril Lavigne Avril Ramona Lavigne is a Canadian–French singer-songwriter and actress. By the age of 15, she had appeared on stage with Shania Twain; by 16, she had signed a two-album recording contract with Arista Records worth more than $2 million.
19 Thousand Foot Krutch Thousand Foot Krutch is a Canadian Christian alternative rock band that was formed in 1995. They have released eight albums. In addition, they have released two live albums and three remix albums.

I can't decide between them and Relient K!

20 The Tragically Hip The Tragically Hip, often referred to simply as The Hip, are a Canadian rock band from Kingston, Ontario, consisting of lead singer Gordon Downie, guitarist Paul Langlois, guitarist Rob Baker, bassist Gord Sinclair, and drummer Johnny Fay.

What the hell? Is this list made and voted on by Americans only or something? Three Days Grace? Really? Gord and the boys are Canada. Their legacy is so bold, it is indelible. Played across this country in every town, every day.

How is the Hip lower than Nickelback?

21 Sarah McLachlan Sarah Ann McLachlan is a Canadian singer and songwriter known for her emotional ballads. As of 2009 she had sold over 30 million albums worldwide.
22 Sum 41 Sum 41 is a Canadian pop-punk band from Ajax, Ontario, Canada. Originally called Kaspir, the band was formed in 1996 and separated in 2023. The band members included lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Deryck Whibley, lead guitarist and backing vocalist Dave Baksh, co-lead guitarist and backing vocalist... read more
23 Michael Buble Michael Steven Bublé is a Canadian singer, songwriter, actor, and record producer. He has won several awards, including four Grammy Awards and multiple Juno Awards.

Is it just that I didn't see his name? I can't believe he isn't on here!

24 Triumph Triumph is a Canadian hard rock power trio that was popular in the late 1970s through the 1980s. Between the band's 16 albums and DVDs, Triumph has received 18 gold and 9 platinum awards in Canada and the United States.

"Lay it on the Line" is a masterpiece.

25 Steppenwolf Steppenwolf is a Canadian-American rock group that was prominent from 1968 to 1972. The group was formed in late 1961 in Toronto by vocalist John Kay, keyboardist Goldy McJohn, and drummer Jerry Edmonton.

Who hasn't heard of Born to Be Wild?

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