The Gold Leaf Awards of 1970, which were the first Juno Awards, were founded by RPM Magazine to honour Canadian music industry achievements. The magazine had honoured musicians in the previous six years using a reader survey until this formal ceremony.
These awards were presented at St. Lawrence Hall in Toronto on 23 February 1970. 250 people attended this inaugural awards ceremony, twice the number who were invited. Winners received walnut wood trophies that resembled metronomes. George Wilson of CFRB radio was master of ceremonies for these awards and for the subsequent Juno Awards ceremonies until 1974.
Winners
Top Male Singer Andy Kim
Top Female Vocalist Ginette Reno
Top Vocal Instrumental Group The Guess Who
Top Country Male Artist Tommy Hunter
Top Country Female Artist Dianne Leigh
Top Country Instrumental Vocal Group The Mercey Brothers
Top Folksinger (or Group) Gordon Lightfoot
Canadian Industry Music Industry Man of the Year Saul Holiff
Best Produced Single "Which Way You Goin' Billy?", The Poppy Family
Best Produced Middle-of-the-Road Album Which Way You Goin' Billy?, The Poppy Family
Top Record Company RCA Records
Top Canadian Content Company Quality Records
Top Record Company in Promotional Activities Capitol Records
Special RPM Radio Award For Community Activities CKLG Vancouver (Now CFOX-FM)
References Citations
External links Juno Awards official site Library and Archives Canada: "The RPM Story" AV Trust: "The RPM Legacy"