SOCAN members Andy Kim and Tom Wilson were among the appointments to the Order of Canada, on June 30, 2023, for their achievements as Canadian songwriters and musicians
Born in Montréal, Andy Kim was inspired by the Beatles, Hank Williams, Frank Sinatra, Elvis, Buddy Holly, and Bob Dylan. He found fame in New York City at just 16 years old when he wrote “How’d We Ever Get This Way?,” the first of nine Billboard Top 40 hits, including No. 1 songs “Rock Me Gently” and “Sugar, Sugar,” one of Billboard’s Greatest Songs of All Time. A true Canadian son, Kim has been awarded the country’s top industry honours three times: the JUNO Award for outstanding achievements in the record industry, as well as the Indie Award for Favorite Solo Artist, and a star on Canada’s Walk Of Fame. He’s a member of Songwriters Hall of Fame, and was inducted into Billboard’s Hit Parade Hall of Fame. Over his epic career, Kim has sold more than 30 million records, and The Archies’ “Sugar, Sugar” has been streamed more than 350 million times on Spotify and YouTube.
Hamilton’s Tom Wilson is a Canadian music legend, famed storyteller, and visual artist, and a three-time JUNO-winning Canadian musician with multiple gold records. He’s written for, and recorded songs with, Sarah McLachlan, City and Colour, Jason Isbell, Colin James, Lucinda Williams, Billy Ray Cyrus, Mavis Staples, and The Rankin Family. His band Junkhouse scored 11 Top Ten hits, and his iconic, Americana-fueled Blackie and the Rodeo Kings have organically evolved into one of the finest roots-oriented bands in music, and remain one of Canada’s greatest treasures. Wilson’s most recent incarnation, Lee Harvey Osmond, has received extensive praise and airplay throughout North America. His art has shown in galleries in New York City, Vancouver, Toronto and more recently, Ottawa. He recently discovered and reclaimed his Mohawk ancestry.
Both singer-songwriters will be inducted into the Order of Canada during a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, to be scheduled at a later date.
SOCAN congratulates them both on this great achievement!