Gino Vannelli, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Triumph to Be Inducted as Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Legends

The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (CSHF) has announced Legends — a 2025 series of induction events honouring nine legendary songwriters whose music has helped define Canada’s cultural landscape for generations.

This year’s inductees are François Cousineau, Andy Kim, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Michel Pagliaro, Jane Siberry, Ian Thomas, Triumph, Gino Vannelli and Florent Vollant. They are being honoured as songwriters and artists whose work ranges from chart-topping hits and folk favourites to rock anthems. They include artists who've had breakthrough international success, and include groundbreaking francophone and Indigenous voices.

Nick Fedor, executive director of the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, notes that "though their styles and languages vary, they are united by a shared legacy of creativity, cultural contribution, and storytelling that resonates far beyond the stage. Together, they exemplify the depth, diversity and enduring impact of Canadian songwriting."

Following its 2023 debut, Legends celebrates these songs and songwriters with inductions into the Class of 2025. This year’s celebrations will take place at the Meridian Arts Centre in Toronto on October 17 and Espace St-Denis in Montreal on November 17.

Each evening will feature live tributes and special guest performances from emerging and sought-after artists, while also shining a spotlight on the Breakthrough Songwriter Award—an initiative that recognizes and amplifies Canada’s most exciting emerging songwriting talent. This year’s nominees will be announced soon, joining past honourees such as Jessie Reyez, Mustafa, Lowell, and Charlotte Cardin.

Following the celebrations in Toronto and Montreal, the Class of 2025 inductees will be honoured at the CSHF’s permanent location at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre in Calgary.

Tickets for the Toronto celebration go on sale today (Aug. 26) at 10 am here. Tickets for the Montreal event go on sale on Aug. 28 via Espace St-Denis here.

Inductees – Legends Series Toronto (October 17)

● Andy Kim – The composer of "Sugar, Sugar" and "Rock Me Gently," Kim built a career on fearlessness and reinvention, from Brill Building beginnings to Canadian icon.

● Ian Thomas – With hits like "Painted Ladies" and "The Runner," Thomas is a genre-spanning craftsman who’s written for America, Santana, and Bette Midler.

● Triumph – The hard-rock trio from Mississauga defined Canadian arena rock with "Magic Power" and "Fight the Good Fight" and redefined the concert experience.

● Jane Siberry – A poet of song, Siberry has defied category for four decades with a catalogue spanning the mystical and the intimate.

● Gino Vannelli – With his blend of soul, jazz, and pop, Vannelli earned international acclaim and broke barriers as a genre-defying singer-songwriter.

Inductees – Legends Series Montreal (November 17)

● Kate & Anna McGarrigle – Beloved for their vocal harmonies and timeless songwriting, the McGarrigles brought Québécois folk to international acclaim.

● François Cousineau – A towering figure in Quebec culture, Cousineau’s work spans chanson, cinema, theatre, and television, shaping the province’s sound for over 50 years.

● Michel Pagliaro – A pioneer of bilingual rock, Pagliaro broke ground with gold records in both French and English and remains a force of raw poetic power.

● Florent Vollant – A trailblazer in Indigenous music, Vollant’s solo work and Kashtin legacy continue to uplift Innu language and voices across generations.