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Canadian music community mourns loss of acclaimed singer Sass Jordan
Sass Jordan, the British-born Canadian singer and celebrated rock artist, passed away on October 2 at the age of 65. The cause of her death has not been disclosed.
Jordan earned widespread recognition throughout her career, including the Juno Award for Most Promising Female Vocalist and multiple Juno nominations for Best Female Vocalist in the early 1990s. In 1992, Billboard magazine honored her as the Top Female Rock Artist of the Year. She later contributed to the Canadian music scene as a judge on the television show Canadian Idol from 2003 to 2008.
Beyond her own achievements, Jordan played a pivotal role in launching the career of Taylor Hawkins, the late Foo Fighters drummer. In 1994, Jordan hired Hawkins, then just 22 years old, as the drummer for her touring band, providing him with his first significant opportunity in the music industry. Hawkins often credited Jordan for helping him develop as a rock musician.
In a memorable moment on July 9, 2015, the Foo Fighters invited Jordan onstage during a Toronto concert to acknowledge her influence on Hawkins’ career. Hawkins shared the story of how Jordan gave him his start, while bandleader Dave Grohl praised her impact, saying, “If it weren’t for Sass Jordan, Taylor Hawkins wouldn’t be in the Foo Fighters right now.” The night concluded with a spirited performance of the Faces’ classic “Stay With Me,” featuring Jordan alongside the band.
Before his tenure with the Foo Fighters, Hawkins also toured with Alanis Morissette between 1995 and 1997. Tragically, Hawkins passed away on March 25, 2022, at age 50 while on tour in Bogotá, Colombia. Preliminary reports indicated multiple substances in his system and an enlarged heart as contributing factors.
Sass Jordan’s legacy endures through her powerful music and her mentorship of artists like Hawkins, leaving a lasting imprint on Canadian rock history.