2 Canadians on ‘Billboard’ 2015 Power 100 list

TORONTO — Two of the most powerful people in the music industry are Canadian, according to Billboard.

The magazine’s 2015 Power 100 list, published Thursday includes Arthur Fogel and Lorne Michaels.

Fogel, who was born in Ottawa, is ranked No. 26. The 61-year-old president of Live Nation Global Touring and chair of Live Nation Global Music fell three spots on the list from last year.

“The fact that Fogel was able to generate 3 million in attendance from just three tours in 2014 speaks to the status of his clients,” Billboard said, referring to tours by Lady Gaga, Paul Simon & Sting and Justin Timberlake.

“In 2015, Fogel’s flagship client will hit the road: U2’s ambitious Innocence + Experience tour begins May 14 in Vancouver, with 44 shows already moving 660,000 tickets.”

Fogel told Billboard he was starstruck when he saw Frank Sinatra in Toronto in the 1980s. “It was the most ­surreal experience,” he said. “The guy oozed cool.”

Michaels, a native of Toronto, is at No. 85 on the Billboard Power 100 list. He, too, fell three spots from 2014.

The 70-year-old is executive producer of Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Seth Meyers and the comedy series Portlandia.

“An invitation to play SNL is an offer that no artist can refuse,” said Billboard. “In 2014, the show played host to key release performances by Sam Smith, Charli XCX and Ed Sheeran.”

Billboard also said Michaels plays a role in booking musical guests on the Tonight Show and Late Night.