The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (CSHF) is excited to induct rock legend, guitarist, songwriter, and broadcaster, Kim Mitchell. Mitchell’s induction was announced last year to take place during the 2020 Canadian Music Week, but was postponed due to the pandemic. To coincide with the release of his latest single, “Best I Never Had,” and success of The Big Fantasize, Mitchell’s current album – and first in more than 13 years – the Hall of Fame will present Mitchell with the honour at the El Mocambo, which is also the record label for his newest endeavor.
The induction will air on Wednesday, July 21st on Global’s The Morning Show, and will be presented by Vanessa Thomas, Vice-President, Member and Industry Relations at SOCAN and Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame; joined by Mitchell’s friend and Barenaked Ladies’ frontman Ed Robertson, who collaborated on the song “Diamonds, Diamonds” in 2019. The pair will reunite to celebrate Mitchell’s catalogue of songs penned during his storied career spanning five decades as part of the alt-rock band Max Webster, and as a JUNO-winning artist best known for classic rock hits such as “Patio Lanterns” and “Go for Soda.”
“We have been waiting for the right moment to celebrate Kim’s induction to the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in the true fashion that he deserves; and we’re thrilled to be able to honour his legacy of songwriting on the stage, where he shines best,” said Thomas. “Kim is an originator and authentic in everything he pursues, from songwriting to transforming radio airwaves, defining the indie-rock genre in Canada, and putting it all on the stage for his fans. He is among Canada’s rock elite, and continues to influence and innovate through his music.”
Mitchell, through the influential and eclectic band Max Webster, defined “alternative” and “indie” long before the words became clichés. He is among Canada’s most respected singers, songwriters and guitar players, having achieved critical acclaim and multi-platinum commercial success. In addition to being the frontman, guitarist, and lead writer with his writing partner Pye Dubois of the influential and eclectic band Max Webster, he rose from there to prominence and massive Canadian success as an award-winning solo artist.
He’s credited with penning (in partnership with Dubois) and recording numerous classic hits including “Go For Soda.” “Rock N Roll Duty,” “Patio Lanterns,” “I am a Wild Party,” All We Are,” and “Easy To Tame” – all which have become part of the Canadian musical genome. Mitchell has received three JUNO Awards, and been recognized with numerous SOCAN Awards. With his band Max Webster, he released five albums, which generated many Canadian top 100 hits, including “Let Go the Line,” “A Million Vacations,” and “Paradise Skies.”
In the early 2000’s, while maintaining a busy touring schedule, Mitchell was invited to join the on-air staff at Q107 in Toronto. He left the radio station in 2014, after becoming one of Canada’s most popular and most listened-to afternoon-drive DJs. Mitchell went back to the recording studio in 2018 to mark his first solo recording in half a dozen years. He got together with his friends the Barenaked Ladies to re-record his song, the Max Webster hit “Diamonds Diamonds.” Max Webster, and this song in particular, was a great influence on the members of the Barenaked Ladies.
In November 2020, Mitchell released his 15th studio recording, The Big Fantasize, through El Mocambo Records, owned by Canadian entrepreneur Michael Wekerle. The full new studio recording was produced by friend and Grammy Award-winning producer, Greg Wells (Keith Urban, Adele, Twenty One Pilots), and includes the single “WISHES” and “Best I Never Had” to be released July 16, 2o021, available on Spotify. The Big Fantasize is Mitchell’s first full-length recording since 2007’s Ain’t Life Amazing.
Following his induction, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame will recognize his songwriting accomplishments in the National Music Centre, located at Studio Bell, in Calgary. As the physical home of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the National Music Centre honours new inductees through on-site exhibitions, featuring stories, photos, artifacts, and memorabilia.