Feist Inducted into Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame at Massey Hall

Leslie Feist was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame on September 26 at Massey Hall in Toronto. The ceremony also honored The Tragically Hip, Loverboy songwriters Mike Reno and Paul Dean, and Roch Voisine. Media personality George Stroumboulopoulos and singer Marie-Mai hosted the three-hour event, which was streamed live internationally on Amazon Music.

Finneas O'Connell inducted Feist and performed at the gala. Jeff Tweedy, Olivia Rodrigo, Bon Iver, Joe Jonas, Jarvis Cocker, and Sam Smith contributed tribute performances or video messages. Feist, who has sold over three million records and earned four Grammy nominations, was recognized for songs including "1234," "My Moon My Man," and "Caught a Long Wind."

“It has made me turn my head and look directly at the thing I have not been looking directly at my whole life”

During a podcast taping with Ross Golan the night before the ceremony, Feist recalled joining her first punk band, Placebo, in Calgary at age 15. She publicly appealed to reconnect with her former bandmate Toby Connolly, with whom she has lost touch. The induction marks a career spanning over two decades and 12 Juno Awards.

The ceremony closed with Our Lady Peace performing The Tragically Hip's "Locked in the Trunk of a Car." A pre-recorded segment highlighted The Hip's distinctly Canadian songwriting, noting how local themes became universal. International artists including Sammy Hagar, Rick Springfield, and Styx sent testimonials for Loverboy.