Paul Anka (BMI) and SOCAN member Claude Dubois were inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (CSHF), during its fifth annual gala ceremony, held March 1, 2008, at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. SOCAN proudly sponsored the Modern Era category induction of these two living legends, who were among a celebrated group of multiple songwriters and songs to be recognized.

After accepting his award, Dubois sang one of his five inducted songs, “Comme un million de gens.”

“Dear Canada, you’ve humbled me, and I thank you my way,” Anka sang while performing his song “My Way” – one of his five recognized songs – after being inducted by former prime minister Jean Chrétien.

The late, legendary jazz pianist Oscar Peterson (BMI) was also honoured, with the Frank Davies Legacy Award, named for the retired music publisher and Hall of Fame founder.

The gala featured standout performances of inducted songs, including a gentle, moving version of Anna McGarrigle’s “Heart Like a Wheel,” performed by Anna and her sister Kate, along with their children Rufus and Martha Wainwright and Lily Lanken; father and son musicians, pianist Ellis and saxophonist Branford Marsalis delivering a sweet and soulful rendition of Oscar Peterson’s “Wheatland” from his Canadiana Suite; Jully Black, decked out in a vintage-style dress, with two similarly attired backing singers, belting out R. Dean Taylor’s “Love Child” (made famous in the ‘60s by the Supremes); and Yelo Molo blazing their way through the complex time changes and vocal twists of Râoul Duguay’s “La bitt à Tibi”

Other SOCAN members who performed at the gala included host Gregory Charles, Suzie McNeil, Kyle Riabko, Serena Ryder, Dione Taylor, Oliver Jones, The Faith Chorale, Toulouse, Anik Jean, Martine Leclerc and Boom Desjardins.

The SOCAN Foundation is a Founding Patron of the CSHF. For more information and a complete list of inducted songwriters and songs for 2008, visit the CSHF website.