Walt Grealis, founder and publisher of Canadian trade magazine RPM Weekly, died January 20 in Toronto following a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 74.
Grealis published Toronto-based RPM from its formation in 1964 until it ceased publication in 2000. A major figure in Canadian music, Grealis is credited with inaugurating the RPM Gold Leaf Awards, later renamed the Juno Awards, which are now held annually and are the country's preeminent music honors. Grealis also established the Big Country Awards, the forerunner of today's annual Canadian Country Music Awards.
