33 Best Canadian Male Singers

James LaBrie

Those of you familiar with modern prog-rock could probably recognize James LaBrie from his association as the singer of Dream Theater. LaBrie grew up in Penetanguishene, Ontario, before eventually moving to Toronto, where he would sing in various groups until he sent an audition tape to Dream Theater.

Given the nature of the band’s music, LaBrie doesn’t necessarily have a “hit” to his name. But, because he works alongside legends such as John Petrucci and Mike Portnoy, LaBrie is more of an icon than what a hit single could ever provide. 

Mac DeMarco

If you couldn’t guess that Canada was important to indie rock, Mac DeMarco would be the only evidence you would need. Throughout the 2010s, DeMarco single-handedly redefined what could be possible as a single artist using the DIY approach.

Along with that, DeMarco ushered in the current era’s sonic stylings of indie rock with its vintage, washed-out vibe. His album, Salad Days, is widely considered the pinnacle of this approach, with consensus holding it as a modern masterpiece.

Dallas Green

Whether you’re into post-hardcore or folk music, there’s a chance you’ve listened to Dallas Green’s music. He’s known for being a founding member of Alexisonfire and is almost equally as famous for his solo career under the moniker, City and Colour. 

Chad Kroeger

Love them or hate them, you have to admit that Nickelback has been one of the most successful bands of the 21st century. Granted, while many of their songs are intentionally formulaic, it could be argued that Chad Kroeger’s vocal delivery plays a large role in the success of their catalog.

In some ways, the world is still recovering from the Earth-shattering success of 2005’s track, Photograph, and how the song managed to find its way into even the hidden corners of everyday life (whether you wanted it to or not). 

Adam Gontier

Another Canadian rock band that broke into the mainstream during the early 2000s was Three Days Grace, which was fronted by Adam Gontier until 2013. The band quickly made a name for itself with hits like (I Hate) Everything About You, and, Just Like You.

Rufus Wainwright

With the release of his 1998 debut self-titled album, Rufus Wainwright quickly captured the attention of critics, with Rolling Stone going so far as to name him the best new artist of that year. Since then, Wainwright has been quite prolific, releasing 11 studio albums, the most recent of which came in 2023.

Wainwright has also written 2 operas, held roles in Hollywood films (such as Scorsese’s The Aviator), and has contributed to various film soundtracks. 

Tal Bachman

Music often runs in the family, as is the case with Tal Bachman, who is the son of Randy Bachman (mentioned above). Tal had a major international hit in 1999 with his song, She’s So High, after which Bachman would slowly drift into obscurity, releasing just 1 other album in 2004. 

John Kay

Steppenwolf was one of many bands that helped to define the psychedelic era of the late 1960s and the fertile musical era that followed throughout the early 1970s. With songs like Magic Carpet Ride, and Born to Be Wild, John Kay’s voice found its way into smoke-filled basements and cars all across the world.

Though Kay was born in East Prussia, he grew up in Waterloo, Ontario. Outside of Steppenwolf, Kay has released 6 solo records, the latest of which came in 2001. 

Rick Danko

The Band is one of the most celebrated American rock groups from the 20th century. Not only did they serve as Bob Dylan’s backing band when he went electric, but the band itself released some of the biggest rock hits of the 1970s.

Blayney, Ontario native, Rick Danko, served as The Band’s bass player, occasionally providing lead vocals for songs like Caledonia Mission, and, This Wheel’s on Fire, along with performing backup singer duties. 

Shawn Mendes

It’s pretty common in today’s day and age for artists to get discovered through their posts on the TikTok social platform. Shawn Mendes is a Canadian artist who actually landed a record deal because of his posts on the TikTok ancestor application, Vine.

Mendes released his first album when he was just 18 years old, which actually debuted at the top of the charts. This would become a trend as each of his 4 albums has become a chart-topping success, making Mendes one of the most successful younger artists under 25.

Win Butler

The Arcade Fire might just be one of Canada’s most famous indie rock bands, exploding onto the scene in the early 2000s with a self-titled EP and their debut album, Funeral. Aided by Win Butler’s voice, the band would become favored amongst high-brow critics with their album, Neon Bible as the band explored darker, gothic pop styles. 

Best Canadian Male Singers, Final Thoughts

How many of these male singers from Canada have you listened to without ever knowing they were Canadian? It just goes to show that good music knows no boundaries and that humans react to music positively no matter where it comes from. 

Over the years, Canada has been extremely important for many genres including indie rock, rap, folk, and country music (believe it or not). Canada will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations of artists around the world, including its own.