Famous Canadian Rock Singers

One of rock and roll’s greatest songwriters and performers of all time, Neil Young has worked both solo as well with bands like Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. The Grammy award winning musician’s notable albums include After the Gold Rush, Harvest, Harvest Moon and Ragged Glory. He strongly backs environmental and disability issues too.

Joni Mitchell is one of the most popular Canadian singer-songwriters. Widely regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, her songs reflect her feelings about joy, romance, disillusionment, and confusion. Apart from being a musician, Joni is also a visual artist who designs most of her album covers. In fact, she calls herself a painter derailed by circumstance.  

Paul Rodgers is a British singer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter. Over the years, Rodgers has performed with popular bands like Bad Company, Free, and Queen. Rodgers, who has influenced several notable rock singers, was honored with the prestigious Ivor Novello Award in 2011. He has also been named in Rolling Stone magazine's list of 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.

Canadian musician, songwriter, and film composer Robbie Robertson became popular following his association as lead guitarist and songwriter with the rock group, The Band. He is credited for playing a key role in popularizing the Americana music genre. He also had a successful career as a solo artist. As a film composer, he has often collaborated with director Martin Scorsese.

Canadian singer and The Band member Rick Danko initially performed as a rhythm guitarist and bassist for The Hawks. Part of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Danko struggled with drug addiction and was once even arrested in Japan for smuggling drugs. He died in his sleep after a performance.

Burton Cummings is a Canadian musician and singer-songwriter. He was the frontman of the rock band The Guess Who from 1966 to 1975. He also enjoyed a highly successful solo career and has been cited as one of the most influential performers in Canadian rock music. He was named an officer of the Order of Canada, in 2009. 

Best known for her Grammy-winning and Billboard-charting single Black Velvet, written in memory of Elvis Presley, Alannah Myles is the daughter of legendary Canadian broadcaster William Douglas Byles. She was later seen in Eurovision and also sang the Canadian national anthem at Toronto All-Star Game in 1991.

Régine Chassagne is a Canadian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. She is a founding member of the indie rock band Arcade Fire. She began her career as a jazz performer and met fellow musician Win Butler, with whom she started Arcade Fire. The couple got married and continue to perform together. She is a shareholder in the music streaming service company Tidal. 

The lead vocalist and songwriter of the Christian rock band Relient K, Matt Thiessen is known for albums such as Mmhmm. He formed the band as a high-schooler in Canton, with Matt Hoopes and Brian Pittman. Apart from dating Katy Perry in the past, he has also written songs for her.

Part of the Canadian rock band Sloan, Chris Murphy is not just the band’s main bassist, but also fills in for the drums or the guitar occasionally. In 2021, he revealed on Instagram that he had been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, an ailment that causes partial paralysis of the face.

Haitian-Canadian actor-singer Luck Mervil initially experimented with reggae and rap and later appeared on stage, on TV, and in films. His best-known role was that of Clopin in Notre-Dame de Paris. He was later accused of sexually exploiting a minor, pleaded guilty, and served a 6-month sentence.