SOCAN is grieving the loss of Pegi Cecconi, the trailblazing Canadian music industry executive who served extensively as Vice President with SRO Management and the Anthem Entertainment Group, playing a key role in the careers of such SOCAN members as Rush, Max Webster, The Tea Party, Steven Page, Molly Johnson, Big Wreck, and Bob and Doug McKenzie (Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas). She passed away at age 70, on March 28, 2024, from Progressive Supernuclear Palsey (PSP), after a lengthy illness, and previous struggles with cancer.
For almost 50 years, Cecconi was a boisterous and colourful character on the Canadian music scene, often referring to herself as “The Queen of F____ing Everything” – which was printed on her business cards. One of the first women to rise to the highest levels of the music industry in Canada, she was bold, forceful, powerful, and determined – all of which was leavened with her great sense of humour and infectious laughter.
Cecconi excelled as an expert in contracts and music publishing, and as a manager and record label executive hugely dedicated to her artists. She helped to invent the business of Canadian music, and helped keep it running, and succeeding internationally, for nearly five decades. She was widely known as a relentless champion of creators’ rights, an endeavour we at SOCAN are proud to share. Along with SRO/Anthem co-founder Ray Danniels, Cecconi handled every aspect of the business, including music publishing, management, booking, recording, merchandising, video production, A&R, master licensing, and legal issues.
At the 2020 JUNO Awards, Cecconi was honoured in with the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award, which recognizes people whose work has significantly impacted the growth and development of the Canadian music industry. She served on the Boards of Directors of both CIMA (The Canadian Independent Music Association) and FACTOR (The Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent On Recordings), both for 18 years, including holding positions as Chair and Treasurer. She was also on the boards of the IDLA (Independent Digital Licensing Agency) and the CMRRA (Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency).
Pegi Cecconi is survived by two daughters, Toni and Kate Wales, and her sister, Elaine “Beatle” Cecconi. She married Doug Wales in 1984; he passed away in 2011. SOCAN offers its sincere condolences to Cecconi’s family, friends, and colleagues, both within the music industry and outside of it. This fierce, fearless, tenacious, and good-humoured pioneer will be missed by us all.
As per Cecconi’s wishes, there was no funeral, but donations to a fund combatting Progressive Supernuclear Palsey can be made via https://pspsocietycanada.ca.