Kevan Staples, co-founder of the legendary Toronto rock band Rough Trade, has passed away at the age of 74. Staples, who co-wrote the band’s provocative hit High School Confidential along with Birds of a Feather and All Touch, died on Sunday, according to a social media post by bandmate Carole Pope.
“He was a bright light that will burn forever,” Pope wrote on Instagram.
Rough Trade, known for pushing boundaries with their music and performances, won four Juno Awards in the 1980s and was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2023. The organization honored the band’s legacy, stating, “Their music challenged conventions and left a lasting impact on Canada’s cultural landscape.”
Staples and Pope first met in the late 1960s, forming Rough Trade in 1974 after performing together in earlier projects. The band gained a devoted following in Toronto’s arts and LGBTQ+ communities, opening for acts like Roxy Music and David Bowie while also contributing to the 1977 revue Restless Underwear, featuring the drag icon Divine.
Rough Trade’s bold themes of sexuality and politics often overshadowed their broader musical contributions. Despite hits like Weapons, Shaking the Foundations, and Crimes of Passion, their attempts to break into the U.S. market were hindered by industry challenges. The band dissolved in 1986 but reunited for performances in 2001 and beyond.
Beyond Rough Trade, Staples was an accomplished composer, winning a Canadian Film Award for One Night Stand in 1978 alongside Pope, Brent Carver, and Carol Bolt. Reflecting on his career, he once told CBC, “I think we did our part in shaking up the Canadian industry.”
Source: Swifteradio.com
