Corey Hart delivered an emotional speech and an impassioned performance at the 48th annual Juno Awards in London Sunday night.
In his first televised performance in more than 20 years, the newly minted Canadian Music Hall of Famer delighted the crowd of roughly 9,000 at Budweiser Gardens, first with his ballad "Never Surrender" before throwing on a pair of shades to belt out his 1984 smash hit "Sunglasses at Night."
Hart's performance brought the audience to their feet and endless cheers -- a reaction he never anticipated.
"I had no preconceptions about that, and I felt so much positivity, so much love from the audience, and so much happiness from the audience to hear me sing," said Hart after he stepped off the Junos stage. "It's very meaningful for me that my kids can experience this because for 20 years I was not touring, I didn't make records, my last album was done in 1998, my last tour was done in the mid-90s, so they never experienced anything like this."
During the broadcast, the singer-songwriter was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. He gave his wife Julie, whom he met at a Juno Awards broadcast in 1993, a kiss before making his way onto the stage. He became teary-eyed while thanking his family and fans for the honour.
"I believe music and love are the most enduring and powerful forces of good in the world," Hart said. "Without you, my songs would have no home, and they would ultimately be unrequited and empty."
Twelve-time Juno Award winner and 2017 Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee Sarah McLachlan hosted the annual celebration of Canadian music. She made a few not so subtle cracks about U.S. President Donald Trump, performed with husband and wife folk rockers Whitehorse, and made four costume changes.
"It was exciting and fun. I thought I would be nervous and I really wasn't, I think because you rehearse so much and by the time you get up there for the real thing you kind of know it inside out," said McLachlan of her hosting duties."I'd do it again in a second, if [the Junos] want to ask me."
When asked whether there was one Canadian artist she would like to work with in the future, McLachlan was quick to single out Indigenous tenor and composer Jeremy Dutcher. He took to the stage for a performance with Blake Prouliot, one day after being awarded the Juno for Indigenous music album of the year.
"Getting to see him perform today at rehearsal and again tonight, I was blown away by his passion, by the beautiful story and bringing back this culture that is being lost. I think he's exquisite and delightful. My heart is with him right now," said McLachlan.
To the surprise of the Junos crowd, Sting appeared on stage to introduce David Foster. The songwriter/producer turned philanthropist was honoured at Saturday's Junos gala as the 2019 humanitarian of the year.
In a real tip-of-the-hat to the host city, the Junos opened with a vibrant performance from London's Loud Luxury, featuring Brando. The dance music duo was joined on stage by the Western Mustangs marching band and cheerleaders.
Other performers to take the stage Sunday included German-Canadian singer/songwriter bülow, sister-brother country duo The Reklaws, British Columbia's Tyler Shaw, and Toronto-born folk singer Bahamas.
A total of six awards were presented during the broadcast, as the bulk of the Junos were presented a day earlier at the gala dinner at the London Convention Centre.
Hamilton's Arkells took home the Juno for group of the year. Their second award of the weekend, after claiming rock album of the year for "Rally Cry."
"We feel really spoiled. It is so incredible to be recognized by our peers and by the community of people in the music industry," said band member Max Kerman.
bülow was visibly shocked when her name was called as the breakthrough artist of the year.
"This is so surreal," she told the crowd.
Speaking to media after her win, bülow described what it was like to receive such an honour.
"I was getting comfortable in my seat, I did not expect it and when it happened it was genuine shock," said bülow.
Jessie Reyez walked away with the Juno for R&B/soul recording with her "Being Human in Public."
"I am really grateful that my parents choose Canada and I feel like there is open arms here and it is very apparent," Reyez said after her win. "If I was raised somewhere else or born somewhere else I feel like I wouldn't have been as encouraged to wave both flags. But in Canada you wave your parents flag and you wave the Canadian flag."
Reyez's parents immigrated to Canada from Columbia.
Brett Kissel won country album of the year for "We Were That Song", while Avril Lavigne won fan choice, the only award voted on by viewers.
Shawn Mendes picked up his fifth trophy of the weekend, winning album of the year for his self titled album. Mendes was not able to attend any of this year's Juno festivities, as he is on the European leg of his world tour. The Pickering, Ontario native did appear in a pre-taped performance.
The Juno Awards move to Saskatoon next year.
