Canadian Rockers in Good Order

HEARTS OF GOLD: Neil Young (pictured) and Burton Cummings were both named as Officers of the Order of Canada. (Getty Images)

Two of Canada’s legendary rock icons have been chosen to receive the country’s highest civilian honour.

Neil Young and Burton Cummings were named Officers of the Order of Canada on Dec. 30, cementing their reputation as two of Canada’s finest and most influential musicians.

Governor General Michaëlle Jean announced 32 new members and promoted 25 people, including Cummings and Young, from member to officer. There are three levels to the order, companion being the highest.

Cummings was named for his contributions as a musician, singer and songwriter, both with the Guess Who and as a solo artist, and for his support of fundraising initiatives, while Young was appointed for his contributions as one of Canada’s greatest musical talents as well as his support of educational and charitable organizations.

Young—beat poet laureate, “Godfather of Grunge,” activist, and filmmaker—can add the Order of Canada to the list of accolades he has received over his long and storied career. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 1995 and also as a member of Buffalo Springfield in 1997.

As a founding member of Buffalo Springfield in the early 1960’s, with his signature singing voice Young went on to become one of the most prominent and important figures in 20th century music. From hard rock anthems like “Keep on Rocking in the Free World” to the folk classic “Heart of Gold,” Young has covered varied ground in his long career.

In addition to his musical contributions Young has been a strong advocate for environmental issues. He recently converted a 1959 Lincoln Continental to a zero-emissions automobile called the Lincvolt, which will be the subject of a documentary about the project which aims to reduce the demand for petro-fuels.

He also co-founded Farm Aid with Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp in 1985. The annual music festival aims to raise awareness about the loss of the family farm and raise funds to keep farming families on their land.

In 1986 he helped found the Bridge School and its annual benefit concert. The school assists children with severe physical impairments and complex communication needs.

With a career as long and almost as vital as Young’s, Burton Cummings is well deserving of his place in Canadian rock and roll royalty.

Cummings joined the Guess Who in 1965 and helped to make the band one of Canada’s most successful rock and roll acts of the ‘60s and ‘70s. The band achieved worldwide fame and topped the charts both at home and abroad with hits such as “These Eyes” “American Woman” and “No Sugar Tonight.”

The Guess Who lasted until the mid-seventies after which Cummings embarked on a successful solo career. His solo recordings produced the 70’s rock radio classic “Stand Tall”.

At the personal request of the then-premier of Manitoba, in 1999 Cummings and former Guess Who guitarist Randy Bachman reunited with other original members of the band to perform at the closing ceremonies of the Pan American Games at Winnipeg Stadium .

The reunited band toured the U.S. and Canada in 2000 and played the SARS benefit in Toronto in 2003.

“That’s a pretty big deal, the ultimate, really,” Cummings told the Winnipeg Free Press in an interview about the appointment. “Randy (Bachman) got his a year ago and I was a little jealous at the time, but I held myself back and said, ‘Wait a minute, he’s four years older than me!’”

Also named to the order are hockey great Mario Lemieux, who was elevated to officer, while former Montreal Canadiens captain Emile (Butch) Bouchard, who led the NHL team to four Stanley Cup titles, became a member.

Recipients will be invited to accept their insignia at a ceremony to be held at a later date.