What to know
- Vinny Cinquemani and Riley O’Connor are inducted into Billboard Canada’s Hall of Fame for decades of industry impact.
- Cinquemani helped launch the careers of major artists like Michael Bublé and Bryan Adams, while O’Connor transformed Toronto into a global live music hub.
- Both legends emphasize the global potential of Canadian talent and the importance of supporting emerging artists.
- Their work has helped shape the Canadian music industry into a thriving, internationally recognized scene.
Billboard Canada’s Power Players list is out. Here’s a look at some of the major contributors in Canada’s music industry.
Music venue Rebel Toronto hosted the Billboard Canada event to celebrate the impactful and influential executives in Canadian music. Legends Vinny Cinquemani and Riley O’Connor are inducted into Billboard Canada’s Hall of Fame.
Now Toronto talked with both legends about their experience in Canadian music and what this honour means to them.
Who are these legends?
Vinny Cinquemani, Co-President of Paquin Artists Agency, a leading music agency, has shaped Canadian touring since the 1970s. Cinquemani has discovered major artists like Michael Bublé and Bryan Adams.
Riley O’Connor is the Chairman of Live Nation Canada, and is known as a live music titan who’s helped transform Toronto into one of the most profitable live music markets on the continent over the last five decades. He’s brought to the stage Elton John and Rush, among many more.
Their thoughts on the live music industry
With around 40 years of industry experience, Cinquemani heard artists from all over Canada who he wanted to amplify worldwide.
“I listened to the music and started signing Canadian artists one at a time during the wild frontier days. I knew then that the Canadian artists, their music, just who they were, could compete worldwide,” he told Now Toronto.
He specifies that it’s not local to Toronto, Halifax, or Vancouver, or any specific city; it’s Canadian talent as a whole.
“These were artists whose music should be heard all over the world. So I knew within the first year that this was a special player’s place, and the music needed to be heard worldwide. So, I committed myself, and here we are today,” Cinquemani said.
O’Connor believes Toronto has been a top market in North America for the last 25 years.
“What has changed, though, is the incredible diversification of music and the genres of music that are able to go out here and fill stadiums,” he told Now Toronto. “When you can do 25 nights in stadiums in Toronto, no other city in North America can claim that territory.”
Feelings on being inducted into Billboard Canada’s Hall of Fame?
For Cinquemani, who’s spent his career helping others take the spotlight, it feels surreal to be given his flowers in this way.
“I am humbled and honoured to be inducted into the Billboard Hall of Fame, but even more, being inducted with Riley O’Connor, who is one of my friends and promoters that I’ve worked with for 45 years,” he told Now Toronto.
On the other hand, O’Connor expresses general gratitude for still being part of the industry at his age.
“I made the joke about still being employed at 75,” he joked. “But I think it’s just about making sure that we create an ecosystem for our Canadian artists, so that they can always go out there and earn a living.”
Which venues and artists should you check out in Toronto?
Cinquemani’s so in love with Toronto’s music scene that he can’t choose just one.
“That’s really hard to say. I love Massey Hall, I love Scotiabank, I love the RBC Amphitheatre in Toronto, and I love all the clubs. Everything from the Horseshoe Tavern to Rebel,” he said.
But Cinquemani recommends checking out Mico’s music, calling him an impressive emerging artist.
“Our company has just signed Mico, and I think he has the real credentials and the pipes and voice to really make it. I met him at the Juno Awards, and I think that’s an artist we need to watch,” he said.
O’Connor said he can’t choose because there are too many of them.
What are their favourite memories working in the industry?
O’Connor couldn’t pinpoint a single memory, saying he’s worked with too many artists over the past 45 years.
For Cinquemani, choosing a single memory from his many years of experience is just as difficult, as he has too many to count.
“It could be Rush playing multiple days at Maple Leaf Gardens, or Bryan Adams last year selling out this arena tour, doing the biggest business he’s ever done. It could be the offspring and simple plan playing together and breaking the market everywhere,” he said.
