The reunion of beloved Canadian band Barenaked Ladies at the 2018 Juno Awards was a million-dollar moment.
The pop-rock band’s members — Ed Robertson, Jim Creeggan, Tyler Stewart and Kevin Hearn, along with estranged member Steven Page — reunited onstage after nine years of separation. The band performed a medley of their popular songs One Week and If I Had $1,000,000 to a deliriously happy Junos crowd to commemorate their induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. (You can watch part of Sunday’s performance in the video, above.)
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For their second performance, other Canadian music icons — including Toronto rapper Kardinal Offishall — joined the band onstage, supplying a true Canadiana feeling.
In 2009, Page and the rest of his bandmates announced that he would be leaving the group to pursue other opportunities; Page has said that his drug arrest around the same time was the catalyst for him leaving. (The charges were later dropped.)
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“I will miss being a Barenaked Lady like crazy, but there are lots of other things I’m really looking forward to,” he continued. “No one’s going anywhere. I’m going to continue to make music and those guys are going to continue to make music as well. I think it will be good for everybody.”
Rush icon Geddy Lee introduced the band and orated about its 30-year history.
“Something that flies under the radar with BNL is what effin’ great musicians they all are,” Lee quipped onstage in Vancouver.
Canadian celebrities from Sarah McLachlan to Jason Priestley shared their love for the band in pre-recorded messages. Others, like Canadian Will & Grace star Eric McCormack and Deadpool actor Ryan Reynolds, tweeted their fandom.
Page and his ex-bandmates accepted the award together, and each member delivered their own speech. Robertson appeared to cry a few tears in the moment, and Hearn brought up his two-time battle with cancer.
“I’m not crying, you’re crying,” said Page. “Thank you guys for the chance to make music with you for 20 years.”
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“Thanks to Steve for starting this with me, and the rest of the guys for continuing it,” said Robertson with a laugh. “For any kids out there with a dream, this can happen, so drop out of school as soon as possible!”
While it was like the band never took any time off, the guys made it clear this was a one-time thing. There are no imminent plans for the band to get back together.
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