HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (Feb. 2, 2009) — Yamaha is proud to announce long time Yamaha Drummer
Matthew Frenette will be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame along with his band mates from Loverboy. The original members of the band will receive their awards during the live broadcast of the 2009 JUNO Awards on Sunday, March 29 on CTV. A very special tribute will also be made on behalf of late Scott Smith, Loverboy's original bassist.
"It is a great, great honor to be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame with all the others before us," says Frenette. "I can't believe I'm going in with Hank Snow, Paul Anka, Guy Lombardo, Oscar Peterson, The Guess Who, Neil Young, The Band, Anne Murray, Rush, Bryan Adams, Bob Rock, and many more great Canadian artists. Loverboy has received many awards over the years but this one is right up there at the top!"
Frenette, who has been playing Yamaha drums for nearly 20 years, currently tours with a new Cherry wood Birch Absolute Custom kit, and he recorded the latest Loverboy album
Just Getting Started with Yamaha Maple and Birch shells.
 Yamaha Artist Matthew Frenette |
"I have played Yamaha drums for half of the 30 years with Loverboy – the best half really. I sound better and the band sounds better now! And the fans have noticed – we get lots of comments on our website about how my Yamaha drums sound great in the old songs and in my solo I play on tour."
Loverboy's reign as MTV darlings during the '80s influenced an entire generation of rock fans with their trademark image and high energy shows. Known for their slick hard-rocking singles including "Lovin' Every Minute of It," "Working for the Weekend" and "Turn Me Loose," the band was an international mainstream sensation. With a string of multi-platinum albums, the band catapulted to become the first Canadian group to be awarded Columbia Records' Crystal Globe Award for selling more than 5 million records outside their native country.
After 25 years of success, the group has sold more than 20 million records worldwide and touched generations of music fans. The band continues to tour 60-80 shows a year across North America, a testimony of their lasting popularity and longevity in the music business.
The Canadian Music Hall of Fame was established in 1978 and recognizes Canadian artists that have attained commercial success while having a positive impact on the Canadian music scene here at home and around the world. Loverboy will join the ranks among Canadian music icons including Anne Murray, Bruce Cockburn, Daniel Lanois, Hank Snow, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, Oscar Petersen, Tom Cochrane, and 2008 recipients Triumph, in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
