Canadian music veteran, Alexander Mair, has lost his battle and succommed to Cancer. This summer, Mair was appointed to the Order of Canada as a Companion Member for his work in the Canadian music industry, and this past Tuesday (November 22), Ontario Lieutenant-Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell awarded him the medal in his room at Sunnybrook Hospital. 

Born in Toronto, Mair founded Attic Records in 1974 alongside Tom Williams, driven by the belief that Canadians “could do anything as well as Americans, if not better.” The label was responsible for developing acts like Anvil, Teenage Head, Lee Aaron, the Nylons and many more. 

Mair was a serious advocate for Canadian artists throughout his career, acting as a board member for the Canadian Association of Publishers, Authors and Composers and pushing for the passage of Canadian content (otherwise known as CanCon) regulations for domestic broadcasters. In addition to his work with Attic Records, Mair also managed Gordon Lightfoot’s business affairs from 1968-1976. 

Attic Records remained independent until 1999, when it merged with TMP (The Music Publisher) and Oasis Entertainment Distribution to become the Song Corporation. Attic Records continued briefly as a subsidiary of TSC before the company ceased functions in 2001. Attic’s Canadian catalogue and masters are currently owned by Unidisc Music. His contribution to Canadian music history truly help shape and change the scene and many artist’s lives and will be truly missed, RIP