Pop-punk stalwarts Sum 41 are set to be honoured with an induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame at the 54th annual JUNO Awards in Vancouver on March 30, marking a poignant milestone in their decades-long career. The announcement arrives as the band approaches its final performance, scheduled for January 30 at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena, concluding their farewell tour across Canada.
Formed in Ajax, Ontario, in 1996, Sum 41 gained prominence with their high-energy fusion of punk, metal, and pop sensibilities. Their debut album, All Killer No Filler (2001), propelled them to international fame, thanks to hits like “Fat Lip” and “In Too Deep.” Over the years, the band released eight studio albums, including their March 2023 swan song, Heaven :x: Hell. Frontman Deryck Whibley has described the album as “the perfect way to go out.”
The band’s decision to disband was announced earlier this year, citing a desire to end on a high note. Whibley elaborated on the timing in an interview with NME, stating: “I’ve been making records and touring with this band since I was 15. It feels like the right time to try something different.”
Sum 41’s induction places them alongside Canadian music legends like Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, and Alanis Morissette. The Canadian Music Hall of Fame, established in 1978, honours artists who have made significant contributions to the country’s cultural fabric.
Despite their accolades, Sum 41’s journey has not been without its share of challenges. Whibley’s health struggles, including liver and kidney failure in 2014 due to alcohol abuse, were well-documented. In recent years, however, the band experienced a resurgence, particularly after the return of original guitarist Dave Baksh in 2015. “It’s been a rollercoaster for our whole career,” said bassist Jason “Cone” McCaslin. “But right now, it feels like everything’s come full circle.”
Live photo – Steve Gerrard
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