He’s sold over 16 million albums worldwide. Corey Hart has been announced as the 2019 inductee into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) and CBC.

To celebrate his induction, Corey Hart, now 56, will take the stage at the Juno Awards March 17th to perform live on television for the first time in over 20 years.

In a statement, the 1980s music icon says “I am deeply humbled by this invitation into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame,” said Hart. “It’s an incredible honour to be acknowledged alongside so many other talented and venerable Canadian artists. My career goal since the beginning has always been to remain one hundred per cent authentic to my artistic vision while embodying the highest respect and dedication towards the craft I love so much. It’s even more symbolic to receive this recognition as I release my first collection of new studio music and prepare to embark on my first national Canadian tour in over 20 years – these are indeed very exciting times for me.”

The Canadian Music Hall of Fame was established by CARAS in 1978 to acknowledge artists that have made an outstanding contribution to the international recognition of Canadian music. Hart will join the ranks of Canadian music icons including Anne Murray, Joni Mitchell, k.d. lang, Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, Oscar Peterson, RUSH, The Guess Who, The Tragically Hip and Shania Twain. A new exhibition honouring Hart, in partnership with CARAS, will launch at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre in Calgary.