September 8, 2017 – Canada has many talented singers who are known throughout the world: from folk to progressive rock. All of them contributed to the popularization of Canadian culture and helped prove that this country does not live by sports alone!

Since such lists can be quite subjective when ranking them, we decided to talk about the most famous ones in the usual alphabetical order.

Alanis Morissette

There was a period when almost no American comedy could do without one of Alanis’s most popular songs, “Ironic.” It was this track that made her famous throughout the world and opened up many new opportunities for winning audiences not only in Canada, but also in other countries.

However, this was just the beginning. In her subsequent albums, the singer will open up from a more original side, touching on not only romantic themes, but also social ones. The Ottawa native boasts a huge amount awards, including 16 Juno Awards and 7 Grammy Awards. She is not only a performer, but also a songwriter, guitarist, producer and actress.

Avril Lavigne

A little girl in a man's world. This image worked perfectly for millions of young fans who liked Avril’s rebellious nature, her driving compositions and uncompromising views on life.

Native of Belleville, Ontario most spent her youth in Napanee. At the age of 15, she appeared on stage with the famous Shania Twain (we will remember about her later), and already at the age of 16, Avril signed a contract with the recording studio Arista Records for two albums worth a total of two million dollars. Having burst into the charts with the soft-punk song “Sk8ter Boy”, the singer eventually moved into more formatted music, which, by the way, only contributed to attracting more listeners.

Bryan Adams

The unique Bryan Adams is known all over the world, and these are not just words - his voice is familiar to everyone. Having gained particular popularity in the '80s with hits like "Summer of '69" and "Cuts Like a Knife," he successfully cemented himself as a bona fide star with timeless '90s ballads like "(Everything I Do) I Do It For" You." This track still holds the record for the longest period spent in first place in the prestigious UK charts.

But there's more to this Canadian legend than just a popular school dance song writer. His trademark husky voice, coupled with his incredible talent for creating recognizable and truly beautiful songs, has made him one of the most influential and successful artists in modern music.

Celine Dion

The future star was born in a small town near Montreal. She was the youngest of 14 children in the family. Celine began her musical journey at the age of five. She has won many awards and honors, the status of the first Canadian woman to receive a gold record in France, and much more. A grand step onto the world stage, after which Dion’s fame only grew, was the official soundtrack to the film “Titanic” - a composition called “My Heart Will Go On”. The singer also has duets with Barbra Streisand and Luciano Pavarotti.

Drake

While rappers Dream Warriors and K-os remained only representatives of the underground in the 90s and 2000s, not a single Canadian musician could achieve large-scale success in this area. Then came Drake, who began his career as a child actor but then devoted himself to music.

Drake has managed to put Canada on the map of mainstream rap culture and become one of the best-selling and most influential rap artists in the world. He founded the Canadian record label OVO Sound, used CN Tower in the design of his album, and also helped introduce another talented Canadian artist to the world, The Weeknd.

k.d Lang

Thanks to his special style of singing and a voice that can make any listener cry, k.d. lang simply couldn't become a regular country singer. The highlight was also her androgynous image, which made her even more memorable and free from all kinds of templates.

The singer-songwriter was born in Edmonton, Alberta, and her beginnings musical career had to work in the Patsy Cline team, which performed cover songs. In the 90s k.d. lang burst into the country industry with her album “Ingénue”, and then became a real star of the genre with such compositions as “Crying” and “I"m Down to My Last Cigarette.” After some time, she pleased listeners with the real hit “Constant Craving” , which also attracted pop music connoisseurs into the army of her fans.

Leonard Cohen

Creating a song that would later be covered by more than a hundred famous artists, the famous "Hallelujah" is just a small part of the musical legacy left in the world thanks to this legendary artist.

The successful poet and novelist was famous on the Montreal literary scene, and only then began his advancement in music. His reflections on love, faith, despair and politics can be profound and simple at the same time - this was his genius. Songs like "Suzanne", "Bird on the Wire" and "Sisters of Mercy" would cement his reputation as folk's most successful songwriter, whose incredible voice has never been matched.

Rush

Take a group of Yes-obsessed Canadians, add an English progressive rock vibe, and you have one of Canada's most successful rock acts, one that would go on to sell over a million records worldwide.

Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson grew up near Toronto and in their youth decided to make their cherished dream of owning their own rock band a reality. Another member joined them, and in 1974, the Rush trio released their first album. Although their style has evolved over time and faced necessary changes, their amazing lyrics and musical complexity of compositions have remained intact and easily recognizable.

Shania Twain

The title of one of the most successful performers not only in Canada, but throughout the world belongs to the charismatic and talented Shania Twain. Eileen Edwards (the singer's real name) was born in Windsor (Ontario). Years later, she would be known to the world stage as the “Queen of Pop-Country.”

The performer’s most popular album was the album “Man! I feel like a Woman...". In total, Shania has sold more than 85 million records worldwide, and her album “Come On Over” became the best-selling album of all time in the category of female vocals of all genres.

The Weeknd

One of the amazing Canadian discoveries of recent years is the musical creation of Abel Tesfaye, who is known to millions of listeners under the pseudonym The Weeknd. The Scarborough native is not only a writer and performer, but also a producer.

At the end of 2010, he anonymously uploaded several of his songs to the Internet, and thanks to Drake’s attention to his work, the rest of the world learned about him. He now has three incredibly successful albums to his name, accolades from critics calling him “the best musical talent since Michael Jackson,” and a huge army of fans.

This small selection of the 10 most famous Canadians will remind us that besides the United States, there are other countries where celebrities are born.

William Shatner, actor.
William is a famous Canadian actor who gained fame for his role as James Kirk, captain of the USS Enterprise in the Star Trek series. In addition to his acting talents, he is also known as the author of a series of books that describe his work on the Star Trek series.

Michael J. Fox, actor.
Michael is an actor, producer and director. His most famous roles are Marty McFly in the Back to the Future trilogy and Alex Keaton in the TV series Family bonds" After he was diagnosed with Parkinson's syndrome, he stopped actively acting. Michael organized a foundation to finance the search for a cure for Parkinson's disease, he actively appears on television, talking about this disease, and supports those suffering from this disease.

Alexander Graham Bell, inventor.
Alexander Graham Bell is known throughout the world as the inventor of the telephone. In 1877 he founded the international company Bell Telephone. He also conducted research in various fields of technology, including aeronautics and the use of light beams in telecommunications.

Alex Trebek, popular TV presenter.
Alex earned his popularity by starting his career as a TV news anchor and sports commentator. He himself was born into the family of a Ukrainian immigrant and a French-Canadian mother. Currently the host of the popular game show Jeopardy!

Wayne Gretzky, athlete.
Wayne is one of the most famous athletes of the 20th century. This Canadian hockey player won the Stanley Cup four times as a member of the Edmonton Oilers club. In 1999, Wayne Gretzky completed his sports career, and in 2002 he was awarded the Olympic Order. After retiring from sports, Gretzky went into business and social activities.

Pierre Trudeau, politician
Pierre Trudeau is the 15th Prime Minister of Canada, who opened this country to the rest of the world, thereby winning the favor of the majority of citizens. He was named Canada's most popular man of the 20th century. It was he who made the country finally independent from Britain. Trudeau served as Prime Minister of Canada for 16 years, starting in 1968, with a nine-month break in 1979-1980.

John Kenneth Galbraith, economist.
John is one of the most famous American economic theorists of the 20th century. He was a professor of economics at Harvard, served on the Price Committee during World War II, and served as ambassador to India. Among his merits, one should also note his work as an adviser to the president. In 1993 he was awarded the gold medal named after. M. V. Lomonosov for outstanding achievements in the field of economic and social sciences.

James Cameron, director.
If you ask anyone to name the three most famous directors, the answer usually consists of names such as Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and James Cameron. Thanks to James Cameron, the world saw such films as The Terminator, Aliens, The Abyss, Titanic and Avatar. And the most surprising thing is that James did not graduate from any specialized educational institution; he is completely self-taught.

Neil Young, singer/composer.
Neil Young is a famous Canadian musician with a unique guitar playing technique. He wrote all the songs for himself. Along with Bob Dylan, he is one of the most prolific and influential songwriters in the history of rock music. The music magazine Rolling Stone conducted a large-scale survey of status musicians and critics, during which Young was named 34th on the list of the greatest musicians of the rock and roll era.

Shania Twain, singer/composer.
Shania is one of the most famous Canadian singers, her style is country and pop music. Since the age of 11, Shania has constantly performed on various television and radio programs. Her album, Come on Over, released in 1997, became a real bestseller. It sold approximately 40 million copies, making it the best-selling album in the history of modern music.

Starting with American and British rock and roll in the mid-20th century. Since then, Canada has had a significant influence on the development of modern popular music called rock. Canada has produced many of the genre's most significant bands and artists, contributing to some of the world's most popular subgenres, including pop rock, progressive rock, country rock, folk rock, hard rock, punk rock, and heavy metal. and indie rock.

Story

1970s

The first Canadian group to become widely known outside the country was The Band. From its formation until 1967, “The Band” was an instrumental backing group for various singers and collaborated with Bob Dylan. The official discography of “The Band” began in 1968, and from that time on, the Canadian band, until its collapse, did not know what oblivion of listeners was. The Band's music is highly professional hard rock with elements of acoustic music and folk inclusions.

Among the Canadian “heavy” groups, one can highlight “Bachman Turner Overdrive”, who played “heavy rock and roll”, and “April Wine”, who focused on simplified hard rock with heavy elements.

Of course, the group “Rush” should be considered the largest figure in Canadian rock. They were followers of Jethro Tull, performed “heavy art rock,” but went further than their great teachers, becoming the founders of the “progressive heavy metal” style. During the general crisis of art-rock bands, Rush virtually dominated the world art-rock, and only the emergence of a new generation of “progressive” rock affected the position of Canadians. Undoubted innovators, Rush are rightfully considered one of the most famous groups in “progressive” rock.

Among the solo performers, singer and composer Bryan Adams, who worked in the 70s for Kiss and Prizm, made his debut - one of the most outstanding melodists in commercial rock, as evidenced by the success of his ballads “Please Forgive” and “Everything I Do” "I Do It For You." .

1990s

2000s

Probably the most successful Canadian band of the decade is Nickelback. Their album Silver Side Up has sold over six million copies (6x Platinum) in the US and 800 thousand copies (8x Platinum) in Canada. The group has won several Juno Awards, an American Music Award and an MTV Video Music Award. Their hit single "How You Remind Me" reached the top of the Canadian Singles Chart and the Billboard Hot 100, making them the second group to reach that position, after The Guess Who with "American Woman" in 1970. Nickelback have sold over 50 million albums worldwide. world, making them the only Canadian rock band to do so. Also very noteworthy

Canadian singer

. (Adams) Brian (born 1959) Canadian singer, composer, guitarist, wrote the score for the film "Robin Hood", a song for the film "The Three Musketeers"

Henry Brooks (1838-1918) American writer, historian, novel "Democracy"

Gerry (Gerald) born 1948, Northern Irish politician, President of the political wing of the IRA since 1978

John (1735-1826) 2nd President of the United States (1797-1801), participant in the Revolutionary War in North America (1775-1783)

John Bertram (1920-84) English physicist

John Couch (1819-92) English astronomer

John Quincy (1767-1848) 6th President of the United States (1825-1829)

Maude (1872-1953) American actress

Robert (1821-1848) Scottish photographer

Roger (1889-1971) American organic chemist

Samuel (1722-1803) organizer of the liberation struggle of the English colonies in North America, leader of the Sons of Liberty organization

Walter Sidney (1876-1956) American astronomer

Canadian pop star, composer of music for the film “The Three Musketeers”

Victoria, wife of David Beckham

Canadian rock star

6th President of the USA

American actress who played the role of Amelia Earhart in the film Night at the Museum 2

Tom Shadyac's film "The Healer..."

David Beckham's wife

First president to live in the White House in Washington

English navigator, participant in R. Chancellor's expeditions to search for a passage along the Northern Sea Route, reaching the mouth of the Northern Dvina (1553)

An English navigator, received in Moscow by Ivan IV the Terrible, who processed R. Chancellor’s report into the book “English Travelers in the Muscovite State in the 16th Century.”

Inventor of modern chewing gum

Organizer of the liberation struggle of the English colonies in North America in the 18th century

Character from the opera by English writer B. Britten “Peter Grimes”

Vicka Beckham before the wedding

Canadian rockstar

Brian from the Singers

In England and the USA, many celebrities bore this surname: presidents, physicists and astronomers

Second President of the United States

President of the U.S.A

American President

Victoria from the Spice Girls

Canadian rock singer

Victoria Beckham's maiden name

Canadian rock idol

The first black athlete in the history of the Russian team

Victoria Beckham before marriage

Second US President John...

President of the States

Music star from Canada

Lake - glacial lake in the province of British Columbia in Canada

Culprit of Towel Days

David Beckham's fiancee

American astronomer

2nd and 6th President of the United States

2nd President of the USA (1735-1826)

6th President of the USA (1767-1848)

American writer (1838-1918, "Democracy")

English astronomer (1819-1892)

American astronomer (1876-1956)

American organic chemist (1889-1971)

English physicist (1920-1984)

English chess player, international grandmaster

English footballer, defender

Canadian singer, composer, guitarist

Canada has always remained in the shadow of its powerful neighbor, the United States. Although she was not inferior to him in potential - at least culturally. As we wait for Canada's Independence Day, we remember the Canadians who glorified their country throughout the world.

Handsome Ryan Gosling, star of such films as Drive, Big Short and The Ides of March, was born in a small town called London in the province of Ontario. And although he has been living in the USA for a long time, he continues to consider Canada “ the best country in the world". “I’m proud to say that I’m Canadian,” the actor admitted in an interview. “I think Canadian kids have a completely different way of looking at the world.”

Jim carrey

One of the most famous natives of Canada is comedian Jim Carrey. He had a difficult childhood, so he does not have particularly warm feelings for his homeland. However, he first gained fame while performing in clubs in Toronto. There he was noticed and invited to Los Angeles. True, another 13 years passed before Carrey became a world star thanks to Ace Vetura, The Mask and Dumb and Dumber (the films were released one after another in 1993-1994). Jim Carrey has lived in Los Angeles for a long time and appears in Canada only for production reasons.

Michael J Fox

Eternal teenager Marty McFly from the science fiction trilogy "Back to the Future", actor Michael J. Fox was born in Edmonton, Alberta, and received his education in Vancouver, where his family moved. At the age of 18, the guy shocked his parents with the news of moving to Los Angeles. At first, his career did not work out - Michael, with his small stature, had to play teenagers. Everything changed with the release of the series “Family Ties”, after which the actor woke up famous. And after the film "Back to the Future" he became a world famous star.

Pamela Anderson

Sex bomb Pamela Anderson was born in British Columbia and grew up quite a decent and proper girl until advertising scouts noticed her at one of the football matches. With their encouragement, Pamela ended up in Hollywood - and “this abyss swallowed her up.” Interestingly, Anderson became the “child of the century” - she was born on July 1, 1967 - on the day of the centenary of the founding of Canada. Now the actress and model have dual citizenship.

Keanu Reeves

Keanu Reeves, although born in Beirut, grew up in Toronto. He began acting while still in school, and Reeves’ first appearance on the big screen was the role of a goalkeeper in the film “Young Blood” (1986). After that, considering that he was knee-deep in the sea, the aspiring star went to Hollywood - and soon achieved success there too. “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure”, “Point Break”, “My Own Private Idaho”, “Dracula”, “Speed”, “The Devil’s Advocate”, “The Matrix” - Keanu Reeves has starred in dozens of box office blockbusters and original films, including into the treasury of world cinema.

Mylene Farmer

One of the most famous French-speaking performers of all time, petite red-haired Mylène Farmer is also a native of Canada. She spent the first years of her life in the town of Pierrefonds near Montreal, and when the girl was 10 years old, the family moved to France. According to Mylene, it was not easy for her to survive such a change of situation. The acting club and music became an outlet. Farmer never became an actress (although any of her videos can be called a mini-movie), but everything worked out for her in music. The millions of copies of her albums sold around the world are proof of this.

Kim Cattrall

The unforgettable Samantha Jones from Sex in big city", actress Kim Cattrall is also Canadian. She was born in Liverpool, then her family emigrated to Canada, and some time later returned to their homeland. Cattrall herself believes that it was her Canadian childhood and youth that shaped her as a person. Already at the age of 16, she went to New York, where she began a successful acting career.

James Cameron

One of the classics of Hollywood, the creator of "Terminator", "Titanic" and "Avatar" James Cameron was born in a small town in the Canadian province of Ontario. He went to school there, and finished his education in California, where his family moved in the early 60s. Now Cameron is one of the most successful directors in the history of cinema: his 8 most popular films have grossed more than $5.5 billion.

Dan Aykroyd

Famous comedian Dan Aykroyd is an Ottawa native. At a young age, he received an offer to move to the United States, where he became one of the writers and actors on the popular show Saturday Night Live. This was followed by roles in the cult “Blues Brothers”, “Ghostbusters”, etc. Despite his constant employment in Hollywood, Aykroyd does not change his citizenship - he still has a Canadian passport.

Rachel McAdams

Beauty from Sherlock Holmes and Big game"remains faithful to her homeland. The actress continues to live in Toronto, and moves to the USA only for the duration of filming the next film. Rachel conducts negotiations with Hollywood agents via Skype.

Mike Myers

Another famous comedian, Mike Myers, is also from Ontario. His parents are from Liverpool, so in addition to his Canadian citizenship, Myers also has British citizenship. The most popular films with his participation are Wayne's World and the Austin Powers trilogy. Lately, Myers has been acting infrequently - for the most part he has been producing and voicing Shrek in the cartoon sequels that are springing up like mushrooms after rain.

Ryan Reynolds

Known for the films “X-Men: Origins.” Wolverine, Green Lantern and Deadpool Ryan Reynolds works in the US but retains his Canadian citizenship. And since he often crosses the border, he sometimes gets into funny situations. “Once I was carrying an apple pie with me - which is not allowed, and the customs officer immediately realized that there was something wrong with me. It’s just that whenever I lie, I start speaking in a high-pitched voice,” says the actor. “But I convinced him that I’m just a famous actor and I don’t want to attract attention to myself, that’s why I’m secretive.” That’s the kind of liar I am!”

Hayden Christensen

Hayden Christensen, who gained worldwide fame thanks to his role as Anakin Skywalker in the second and third parts of the prequel " star Wars", after the success that fell upon him, he took an unexpected step. The guy went to the Canadian outback and bought a farm, where he lives to this day. According to the actor, this helped him remain an ordinary person and not a star. Now Hayden and his wife and daughter live in two houses: one in Los Angeles and the other in Uxbridge, Ontario.

Cobie Smulders

Actress Cobie Smulders from The Avengers is also proud of her Canadian heritage. “We have a whole gang of Canadians here in Hollywood! - the star laughs. “They won’t let me forget my roots.” The actress admits that she still pronounces some words incorrectly - that is, with a Canadian accent. And she believes that this adds a kind of charm to her. We completely agree!

Leslie Nielsen

Mr. "The Naked Gun" and "Rental Baby", the consummate comedian-parodist Lesya Nielsen was born in cold Saskatchewan, Canada. But one can only envy the hot temperament of this public favorite. Any film with Nielsen's participation - be it "Dracula: Dead and Loving It", "All I Want for Christmas", "The Indestructible Spy" or "The Sixth Element" - became a real hit. Now the maestro is already 84 years old, and since 2010 he has practically not acted...