A Toronto street is now named after a legendary Canadian band

Mayor John Tory unveils street sign honouring legendary Canadian band Blue Rodeo

TORONTO, May 31, 2022 – Today, Mayor John Tory was joined by Councillor Paula Fletcher (Toronto-Danforth) and the members of legendary Canadian country rock band Blue Rodeo at Blue Rodeo Drive to officially name the Toronto street in the band’s honour and unveil a new street sign. Band members Jim Cuddy, Greg Keelor, Bazil Donovan, Glenn Milchem, Mike Boguski and Colin Cripps were on site for the unveiling.

The public street is north of Gerrard Street East and west of Broadview Avenue, not far from where the band’s studio is located. The sign was installed to honour the band’s enormous contributions to Canadian music. Blue Rodeo has received dozens of JUNO Awards nominations and wins, a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame and the Order of Canada. The group has also been inducted into Canada’s Music Hall of Fame. They have sold more than four million albums and played more than 2,000 concerts. In November 2001, Blue Rodeo was presented with the Key to the City in Toronto.

“Toronto always has had an incredible music scene that was very devoted to local musicians playing original music and that was not the case in many places in the world,” said Blue Rodeo’s Jim Cuddy. “New York was not a good place to start. Toronto was a good place to start,” said Cuddy.

At the unveiling, Blue Rodeo’s Greg Keelor of said he has a personal connection to the corner where the sign was unveiled. He said his dad spent his final days in the old Bridgepoint hospital and Keelor said “I spend a lot of time on this corner and once in a while I’d take the wheelchair and we’d go outside for his smoke,” said Keelor.

“Blue Rodeo is a legendary Canadian band and I’m glad we were able to celebrate them today. Blue Rodeo Drive recognizes those strong and abiding Toronto roots,” said Toronto Mayor John Tory. “We want to show our huge respect, affection, and support to Blue Rodeo and to Toronto’s thriving and growing music sector. I encourage Blue Rodeo fans to come and visit Blue Rodeo Drive and to support our city’s music scene at the same time,” said Tory.

City Council enacted a draft bylaw to name the proposed public highway north of Gerrard Street East and west of Broadview Avenue as “Blue Rodeo Drive” in 2013. More information about the City’s Music Office is available on the City’s Music Sector webpage.

“I’m so happy that we’re here today to unveil this City of Toronto street sign to honour Blue Rodeo. The band has deep roots in Riverdale and the East End and continues to call Toronto home.,” said – Councillor Paula Fletcher (Toronto-Danforth). “What better way to recognize their amazing contributions to Canadian music than to give this street, created out of the former Riverdale Hospital redevelopment, the name Blue Rodeo Drive,” said Fletcher.

lead photo Mayor John Tory @TorontosMayor

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