Canadian Rock Veterans Danko Jones and 54.40 Burst Onto Billboard Canada Airplay Charts

Long-established Canadian rock bands are hitting a stride on the radio airwaves.

Toronto rock group Danko Jones and guitarist Marty Friedman’s collaborative track, “Diamond In The Rough,” arrives at No. 32 on the Billboard Canada Mainstream Rock Airplay chart, dated Feb. 28.

The track is an energizing hit that channels the raw, unfiltered energy of 1970s arena rock. It’s supercharged by a blazing guest solo from the Megadeth member, whose unmistakable touch of guitar heroism takes the trio’s high-energy, no-frills hard rock sound into overdrive.

If the punchy soundscapes resemble another famous rock band, that’s the point: "Channeling early Kiss, this is a favourite of mine, especially with the one and only Marty Friedman on lead guitar!” comments the band’s namesake frontman in a press statement, sharing that this is what the power trio band would sound like if they were a four-piece.

Two spots down, 54.40 is “Running For The Fence” at No. 34.

Powered by a bouncy percussion section and crunchy guitar riffs, the track captures a driving pulse that is catchy enough to become an instant earworm — albeit one that rewards repeat listens.

The Vancouver rockers draw listeners in through plaintive vocals and incisive lyrics drawn from frontman Neil Osborne’s bouts with experimental psychotherapy. “Running for the Fence” is rooted in the notion that we each carry our parents’ unlived lives inside of ourselves.

“I didn't know that a part of me / Wants to tell me I'm a little out of harmony,” he muses. A phase of introspection is needed for the longstanding west coast group, who formed in the ‘80s.

These debut entries double down on last year’s trend of legacy CanRock groups making a comeback on the rock airwaves. Leading that charge was Ontario band Three Days Grace, who are maintaining their position as they spend a fifth week at No. 1 with “Kill Me Fast” on Mainstream Rock.

A newer act rounds out the third debut on the chart as BRKN LOVE’s “Diamonds” claims spot No. 31.

On the Adult Contemporary (AC) chart, Montreal pop singer Laurence Nerbonne arrives at No. 28 with “Greenlight.” Following a placement on CHR/Top 40, “Lay It On Me,” a collaboration between Frank Walker, Josh Ross and Norma Jean Martine, enters Hot AC at No. 36. One stop down, Virginia To Vegas debuts with “Million Ways.”

Over on Canada Country, Morgan Griffiths is “Just Being Me” at No. 38, while Ruby Waters has “Blinders” on as she debuts at No. 38 on Modern Rock.

At the top, Bruno Mars dominates four out of seven Airplay charts. After securing the No. 1 on All-Format and AC, the pop hitmaker rises 2-1 on CHR/Top 40 and Hot AC — dethroning Olivia Dean’s “Man I Need, as she sits in second place on all four rankings.

Country radio listeners keep “Choosin’ Texas” as Ella Langley maintains the top spot. Three months later, Boy Golden’s “Suffer” has fallen to No. 2 on Modern Rock as Sombr’s “12 To 12” climbs 2-1.

Check out the Billboard Canada Airplay charts here.