Kitchener's JJ Wilde becomes first woman to win Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year in 25 years
Kitchener’s own JJ Wilde took home a Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year this weekend, becoming the first woman to win the category in 25 years.
Her debut album Ruthless took home the honour.
“I was just telling myself, 'OK don’t cry,'” Wilde said.
The last time a woman won Rock Album of Year was Alanis Morissette for Jagged Little Pill in 1996.
“When she came out with that album it was dangerous. Nobody has ever heard about a woman singing like that probably since Joni Mitchell’s Blue,” said Canadian Music Correspondent Eric Alper.
Wilde said Morissette was a huge inspiration to her.
“Walking in those footsteps is pretty unreal. I feel extremely lucky and grateful. And I think it says a lot for the music industry and how it’s turning and putting women to the front,” said Wilde.
Wilde also broke records last year by becoming the first woman to hit number one on all three rock charts in Canada for her single ‘The Rush’.
Alper called her an inspiration for the next generation.
“Her win is going to make teenage girls and young women say that it’s OK to rock out,” Alper said.
Wilde hopes to inspire others. She said it warms her heart to hear from her female fans and tries to give them advice when they reach out.
“Not compromising yourself for anybody or anything. And you know being true to yourself,” she said.
Wilde was born and raised in Kitchener, often working and performing at Maxwell’s, a music venue in Waterloo.
Wilde also broke records back then. In 2015 she performed with her former band the Royal Streets to a nearly sold-out crowd. That performance still stands as the biggest crowd for an independent band in Maxwell’s history.
“Something about it back then, hearing her raspy beautiful voice," said Paul Maxwell, president of Maxwell's Concerts & Events
Maxwell said he met Wilde 10 years ago.
“He put me on coat check for the first night to kind of test it out,” laughed Wilde.
Those who know the rocker say through all the success she's remained humble.
“She’s always so bubbly and outgoing and genuine. What you see is what you get with Jill,” said Maxwell.
JJ Wilde is expected to be back on tour this year.
The full list of Juno Award winners can be found here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.