That’s a very good question – but it doesn’t take long to find the answer.
Toronto has a history of developing and injecting the creative industry with high-quality individuals. A list (which is far from comprehensive) is available here . But here are some highlights…
- Louis Applebaum (1918-2000) – composer, writer
- Moe Koffman (1928-2001) – sax and flute player
- Glenn Gould (1932-1982) – pianist
- Teresa Stratas (b. 1938) – opera singer
- Bramwell Morrison (b. 1940) – singer, song writer, co-founder of Sharon, Lois & Bram
- Robbie Robertson (b. 1943) – musician, writer, singer, producer
- Sharon Trostin Hampson (b. 1943) – singer, song writer, co-founder of Sharon, Lois & Bram
- Neil Young (b. 1945) – singer, song writer
- Michael Cohl (b. 1948) – music producer, concert promoter
- Geddy Lee (b. 1953) – member of Rush
- Jeff Healey (1966-2008) – blind jazz and blues-rock guitarist and vocalist
- Tyler Stewart (b. 1967) – member of Barenaked Ladies
- Maestro (Wesley Williams) (b. 1968) – hip-hop musician
- Jim Creeggan (b. 1970) – member of Barenaked Ladies
- Steven Page (b. 1970) – member of Barenaked Ladies
- Ed Robertson (b. 1970) – member of Barenaked Ladies
- k-os (Kevin Brereton) (b. 1972) – MC, hip-hop
- Kardinal Offishall (b. 1976) – hip-hop musician
- Fefe Dobson (b. 1985) – singer, song writer
The list is long, and spans many years – but it gives food for though…how many creative people were lost due to the lack of infrastructure and support systems available in our fine city?
With the growth and recent strengthening of the Toronto music scene, it wont’ be long before we start to see more famous names added to the above list.
