Glass Tiger will be among the 13 Canadian rock bands from the ‘70s and ‘80s to be inducted into the Canada’s Walk of Fame as part of its 25th anniversary celebration.
The band that formed in the early '80s in Newmarket will be inducted during a ceremony at Massey Hall in Toronto on Thursday, Sept. 28.
“When something like this comes along, it certainly makes you sentimental,” Alan Frew, lead singer of Glass Tiger, told NewmarketToday. “It’s a lovely way to be recognized for the years we put in entertaining people in Canada and around the world on behalf of Canada.”
Grammy-nominated Glass Tiger became one of the most successful bands in Canadian music history with more than five million albums sold and five JUNO awards.
“At the time, you’re five younger guys just dreaming about getting on a stage, you don’t start it thinking about how many records you’re going to sell,” said Frew. “You’re just bound together by your love of music and we dedicated ourselves to it.”
Frew and the band take pride in the fact that they started in Newmarket playing smaller shows before finding global success.
“We gave it everything we had and, sure enough, we started packing the bars and the record companies came sniffing around and before you know it, we landed an international record deal,” he said. “We were so proud to be from Newmarket and the surrounding area, to be those small-town guys reaching international success.”
Reflecting on the amount of time the band has committed over the decades since its inception, Frew feels honours like this highlight that hard work.
“It makes me think of the countless seconds, minutes, hours, months, and years of walking out the door and getting on a train, a plane, or an automobile and covering the world,” said Frew. “It was gig after gig and our families have watched us for close to 40 years go out the front door and carry the Canadian music banner around the world proudly.”
The other bands joining Glass Tiger at the induction are April Wine, Chilliwack, Lee Aaron, Lighthouse, Loverboy, Max Webster, Michel Pagliaro, Platinum Blonde, PRISM, Rough Trade, The Parachute Club, and Trooper.
Also being inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame that night are Supreme Court Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella, Degrassi, Connor McDavid, Rick Mercer, and Dr. Brenda Milner.
“These trailblazing musicians have had an extraordinary impact on our Canadian rock landscape,” said Jeffrey Latimer, CEO of Canada’s Walk of Fame. “Their longevity, many of whom still tour and sell out venues, is inspiring; and we are proud to welcome them each to Canada’s Walk of Fame.”
Along with the inductions, the night will include live performances, special guests, a reunion of Canadian DJ legends, and more. Performances and special guests will be announced in the coming weeks.
Tickets for Canada’s Walk of Fame go on sale Friday, July 14 at 10 a.m. at ticketmaster.com.
