Lists

Let’s Fight: What Are the 25 Most Famous Toronto Bands?

This list comes from BlogTO is just the kind of thing that gets people riled up.  It includes Rush, Drake, Deadmau5 (actually from Niagara Falls, but never mind), Billy Talent (Streetsville to Toronto:  “Hellooooo?”) and Blue Rodeo.

The obvious question is “Who’s missing from this list?”  Well, Sloan for one.  Danko Jones will probably want to ask why Peaches is here and he’s not.  Diamond Rings over Max Webster?

Over to you, Toronto.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

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8 thoughts on “Let’s Fight: What Are the 25 Most Famous Toronto Bands?

  • How far back do you want to go? It could be argued that fifties band the Diamonds were huge.

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  • I love (almost) them all (And knew Feist's Uncle Danny Achen, RIP) But Blue Rodeo, I do believe, takes the cake here.

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  • Do Make Say Think, Our Lady Peace and Triumph are three names that come to mind.

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  • where's the Lowest of the Low? Not only a Toronto band but so many Toronto references in their albums. Where's The Pursuit of Happiness, Cowboy Junkies, Triumph, Rheostatics, and quite a few more.

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  • You're asking 'most important Toronto bands', while the BlogTO llist is 'most famous Toronto bands', and they go on to specify that their criteria is really 'most famous-in-2013 Toronto bands'. So their list is kind of less interesting and less argument-worthy than your title suggests.

    Now, if it really was "most important" Toronto bands, then I'd be right there with JeffC slamming my fist on the table and arguing for Lowest of the Low.

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  • please tell me Teenage head are in there……..

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  • Teenage Head are from Hamilton.

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  • This is a hipster list for sure but I can't believe Rough Trade doesn't make the cut. I thought the late 70s early 80s was a great time for the Toronto music scene and pushing boundaries. One of my personal faves were Goddo. Other artists from that time period include Nash the Slash, The Diodes, FM, Saga (Oakville) and Toronto.

    Reply

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