Celine Dion Honored With Five Juno Awards

Fresh from capturing two Grammys, Quebec-born Celine Dion dominated Sunday’s 28th annual Juno Awards.

Dion earned those symbols of excellence in Canadian music in the categories of female vocalist, album and best-selling album, foreign or domestic, for “Let’s Talk About Love.” She also picked up the best-selling Francophone album award for “S’il Suffisait D’Aimer,” as well as the international achievement award for her meteoric accomplishments on the world stage.

In all, Dion triumphed in five of the six juried categories in which she competed.

She told her Canadian audience that she would retire from the music industry for a time.

“I’m planning to retire for a few years at least,” she said, drawing cries of protest from the audience.

Besides Dion, the only other multiple winner on the night was the Canadian rock group Barenaked Ladies, which picked up Junos for group and pop album for “Stunt.”

Other solo winners included Shania Twain, taking home a Juno for country female vocalist, Jim Cuddy picking up male vocalist honors, and Johnny Favourite Swing Orchestra being recognized as the new group.

Another Canadian superstar, Bryan Adams, earned the songwriter Juno for the single “On a Day Like Today,” co-written with Phil Thornalley.

And the rock album award, voted on by the Canadian public, was for “Phantom Power,” performed by the Tragically Hip.

The accomplishments of lesser known Canadian artists also gained attention at the ceremony.

Deborah Cox, an up-and-coming R&B artist, said it was time for Canadians to take over from the British in the music world.