The recent induction ceremony at Toronto’s Massey Hall saw the Tragically Hip, along with three other musical acts, honored at the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. The band members of the Tragically Hip paid tribute to their late bandmate Gord Downie, who passed away in 2017 from brain cancer. Guitarist Rob Baker shared a message purportedly from Downie during the acceptance speech.
The 2026 inductees included the Tragically Hip, Feist, Loverboy’s songwriting duo Mike Reno and Paul Dean, and French-Canadian artist Roch Voisine. The evening featured performances from various artists covering a range of music genres, including Finneas, Our Lady Peace, and Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy.
During the event, Allison Russell honored Downie by performing a Hip song with a purple feathered hat on stage. The ceremony also included Feist’s induction by Finneas, where she expressed gratitude for the role of songs in her life. Additionally, Loverboy was celebrated with energetic performances, and Voisine delivered an emotional duet with Isabelle Boulay.
The evening concluded with Our Lady Peace’s dynamic rendition of the Tragically Hip’s hit, “Locked in the Trunk of a Car.” Lead singer Raine Maida shared how the Tragically Hip had inspired him to pursue art. The event paid homage to the legacy of Canadian songwriters, showcasing the country’s diverse musical talents.