The Juno Awards of 1971 (Juno Award), representing Canadian music industry achievements of the previous year, were awarded on 22 February 1971 in Toronto at a ceremony in the St. Lawrence Hall. These would be the first awards to be formally titled the Junos as decided by RPM Magazine in 1970 following its first formal music awards event. George Wilson of CFRB radio was master of ceremonies for the awards for the second consecutive year.
Atlantic Canadians were particularly successful at the awards in 1971, most notably producer Brian Ahern and artists Stompin' Tom Connors, Gene MacLellan and Anne Murray, prompting Murray to quip to the audience about the emergence of a "Maritime Mafia" in the Canadian music scene. Connors would go on to win several more Junos before returning them in protest of the awards honoring Canadian musicians who primarily make their career outside of Canada.
Nominated and winning people
Best Female Vocalist Winner: Anne Murray
Other nominees: Susan Jacks Debbie Lori Kaye Joni Mitchell Ginette Reno
Best Male Vocalist Winner: Gordon Lightfoot
Other nominees: Andy Kim Pierre Lalonde Gene MacLellan Tom Northcott
Best Group Winner: The Guess Who
Other nominees: Edward Bear Lighthouse Mashmakhan The Poppy Family
Best Songwriter Winner: Gene MacLellan (Special Award: Canadian Composer)
Best Country Female Artist Winner: Myrna Lorrie
Other nominees: Debbie Lori Kaye Dianne Leigh Julie Lynn Donna Ramsay
Best Country Male Artist Winner: Stompin' Tom Connors
Other nominees: Gary Buck Dick Damron Tommy Hunter Hank Smith
Best Country Group or Duo Winner: The Mercey Brothers
Other nominees: The Chaparrals The Hickorys The Rainvilles Rhythm Pals
Top Folk Singer Winner: Bruce Cockburn
Other nominees: Great Speckled Bird Anthony Green and Barry Stagg Joni Mitchell Tom Northcott
Music industry Man of the Year Winner: Pierre Juneau
Broadcaster of the Year Winner: Standard Broadcasting, noted for its Canadian Talent Library
Top Canadian Content Company of the Year Winner: Quality Records
Other nominees: Capitol Records Columbia Records London Records RCA Records
Top Record Company of the Year Winner: Capitol Records
Other nominees: Columbia Records Quality Records RCA Records Warner Bros. Records
Top Promotional Company of the Year Winner: Capitol Records
Other nominees: Columbia Records Quality Records RCA Records Warner Bros. Records
Journalist of the Year Winner: Dave Bist, Montreal Gazette
Nominated and winning albums
Best Produced Album Winner: Honey, Wheat and Laughter, Anne Murray (producer Brian Ahern)
Other nominees: Make Someone Happy, Tom and Judy Sit Down Young Stranger, Gordon Lightfoot This Way Is My Way, Anne Murray Young Years, Pierre Lalonde
Nominated and winning releases
Best Produced Single Winner: "Snowbird" by Anne Murray (producer Brian Ahern)
Other nominees: "American Woman", The Guess Who "As the Years Go By", Mashmakhan "Fly Little White Dove, Fly", The Bells "If You're Lookin'", Tranquility Base
References Citations
Bibliography
Other RPM, Juno Awards Special Issue, 27 February 1971
External links Juno Awards official site