Kevan Staples: A Canadian Musical Pioneer Leaves a Lasting Legacy

Carole Pope (left) and Kevan Staples (right) at a Canada's Walk Of Fame event.

By Georgia Hermiston

On March 23, 2025, the Canadian music scene lost a true trailblazer with the passing of Kevan Staples, co-founder of the iconic avant-garde rock band Rough Trade. Staples, who was 74 at the time of his death, leaves behind a legacy that reshaped the landscape of Canadian music through his fearless creativity, innovative artistry, and unapologetic individuality. His bandmate and long-time collaborator Carole Pope announced his passing on social media, calling him "a bright light that will burn forever." While the cause of his death has not been disclosed, the outpouring of tributes from fans, peers, and industry figures underscores the profound impact Staples had on Canadian culture.

Born and raised in Toronto, Kevan Staples was a multi-instrumentalist whose musical journey began in the late 1960s alongside Carole Pope. Together, they started performing as a folk duo in Toronto’s Yorkville scene, experimenting with a blend of pop, sexual politics, and theatrical flair that would eventually evolve into the ground-breaking sound of Rough Trade. By 1973, the duo had officially formed the band, which became a vehicle for their provocative artistry. Staples, often wielding keyboards and guitars, brought a sophisticated edge to the group’s sound, while Pope’s commanding vocals and bold stage presence complemented his contributions perfectly.

Rough Trade burst onto the Canadian music scene in the late 1970s, shaking up conventions with their punk-inspired new wave style and unfiltered lyrics. Their 1980 breakout hit, "High School Confidential," co-written by Staples and Pope, remains one of their most enduring achievements. The song, a daring tale of unrequited lesbian desire, climbed the Canadian charts and earned a Juno nomination for Single of the Year. At a time when such themes were rarely broached in mainstream music, "High School Confidential" stood out as one of the first explicitly lesbian-themed Top 40 hits globally, cementing Rough Trade’s reputation as boundary-pushers. Staples’ innovative keyboard and guitar work gave the track its pulsating energy, making it a staple of Canadian radio and a cultural touchstone.

Beyond their signature hit, Staples co-wrote many of Rough Trade’s other beloved songs, including "All Touch," "Birds of a Feather," "Crimes of Passion," and "Fashion Victim." These tracks showcased his ability to blend grit and elegance, a combination that manager Bernie Finkelstein described as making Staples "the most elegant man in the music business." Finkelstein, who signed Rough Trade to True North Records, credited the band with inspiring a generation of artists—from Peaches to Madonna—with their unique fusion of style and substance.

Rough Trade’s influence extended far beyond their music. Their theatrical live performances, often featuring Pope in bondage attire, fused rock, R&B, and burlesque elements, drawing a diverse audience that included a strong gay and arts community following. Staples once reflected on their appeal to CBC, noting, "There was an audience for what we were doing, and that was apparent." The band’s provocative edge didn’t stop at the stage—they appeared in the quirky 1980 Canadian horror film Deadline and saw their song "Shakedown" featured in William Friedkin’s controversial film Cruising. These bold choices won them admirers in the arts world and solidified their status as cultural disruptors.

The band enjoyed significant success in the 1980s, releasing five studio albums with True North and earning four Juno Awards. They played to massive crowds, including opening for David Bowie on his 1983 Serious Moonlight tour in Canada. Yet, even as their commercial peak waned, Staples’ creative spirit endured. After Rough Trade disbanded in 1986, he transitioned into a prolific career scoring music for Canadian documentaries and television series, showcasing his versatility and commitment to his craft. He and Pope continued to collaborate intermittently, maintaining a partnership that spanned over five decades.

In 2023, Staples and Pope were inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame, a fitting recognition of their contributions to the nation’s cultural fabric. That same year, they celebrated Rough Trade’s 50th anniversary with a concert at Toronto’s Phoenix Concert Theatre, a testament to their enduring relevance. They also shared plans with The Canadian Press for a stage musical inspired by Rough Trade’s songs, set in New York during the AIDS crisis, with Canadian Broadway star Chilina Kennedy attached to portray a young Pope. Though Staples’ passing leaves the project’s future uncertain, it reflects his ambition to keep pushing artistic boundaries.

Kevan Staples’ death marks the end of an era, but his influence as a Canadian talent resonates deeply. As a co-creator of Rough Trade, he helped redefine what Canadian music could be—bold, inclusive, and uncompromising. His innovative soundscapes and willingness to experiment left an indelible mark on the industry, inspiring countless artists to embrace their individuality. In the words of Carole Pope, "There wouldn’t have been a Rough Trade without him." For fans and fellow musicians alike, Kevan Staples’ legacy will indeed burn forever, a bright light in the tapestry of Canadian music history.

Georgia Hermiston is a registered nurse and a freelance writer for Veritas Expositae

You can reach her at Georgia.hermiston@veritasexpositae.com