Corey Hart delivers tearful speech at Junos as he's inducted into Hall of Fame

David Friend, The Canadian Press</span>
Published Sunday, March 17, 2019 8:52AM EDT
Last Updated Sunday, March 17, 2019 9:36PM EDT

LONDON, Ont. -- Corey Hart delivered an emotional speech dedicated to his family and fans as he was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame at the Junos.

The "Sunglasses at Night" singer-songwriter threw his fist in the air as he stepped onto the Junos stage in London, Ont., with tears in his eyes.

"I believe music and love are the most enduring and powerful forces of good in the world," Hart told the crowd before addressing his fans.

"Without you my songs would have no home, and they would ultimately be unrequited and empty."

Hart's wife, Quebecois singer Julie Masse, and his four children watched from the audience, his daughters wiping away tears.

"Without love I would have never experienced the miracle of cradling in my arms my four precious babies," he said. "Daddy's very proud of you guys, I love you very much."

Early winners on the Junos broadcast included pop superstar Shawn Mendes for album of the year. He wasn't able to attend the broadcast because he's touring Europe.

However, Mendes didn't sit out the Junos entirely. The show included a pre-recorded performance of "In My Blood" taped in Amsterdam on March 4, where he jokingly told the audience to "try to sound Canadian."

Hamilton-founded rock act Arkells picked up group of the year and German-Canadian pop singer Bulow won for breakthrough artist.

Last year's breakthrough artist Jessie Reyez took home her second Juno for R&B/soul recording of the year.

A message of unity and love carried throughout the Junos broadcast after host Sarah McLachlan opened the show at Budweiser Gardens with a subtle jab at Donald Trump.

"You know when you live someplace peaceful and beautiful, and then you get a crazy neighbour?" McLachlan asked the crowd.

"And they start causing all sorts of trouble, like putting up weird walls, picking fights with all the other neighbours, telling your daughters how they should behave? All the while saying they're making the area great again -- and you just watch feeling helpless?"

McLachlan added that she hoped that neighbour would be gone by 2020, and conversation to a lighter place saying that music is "reminding us that we're all in this together."

Not everything McLachlan said carried a serious tone.

"I think maybe people have the impression that I spend all my time sitting in the dark, watching "Handmaid's Tale," reading Sylvia Plath, thinking up new ways to make people cry," she joked.

"Or saving stray dogs and cats -- and OK I do do some of those things. But really I'm a very happy person. And the only advice anyone has given me tonight is to have fun. That's easy! And don't swear. Maybe that's not so easy but I will try to keep my potty mouth in check."

The Junos broadcast opened with Loud Luxury, the DJ pair who met at the city's Western University. They welcomed the school's marching band and cheerleaders to kick off the show with a bombastic performance of their dance hit "Body."

Awards will be handed out in six categories that also include best country album, and Juno Fan Choice.

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