Take a scenic stroll through picturesque grounds, making four stops along the way to showcase your adoration for the vibrant tapestry of Canadian music.

Mount Pleasant Cemetery, nestled in Toronto, boasts manicured lawns, majestic trees, and easy access via the main subway line, making it a beloved destination. For the intellectually curious visitor keen on music history, here are some must-see stops.

References to West/East parts of the cemetery are made with Mt Pleasant street as a center. Use the maps at the end of this post to easily identify the milestones.

1. Alexander Muir – composer of The Maple Leaf Forever

Alexander Muir, a Scottish immigrant who made Toronto his home, composed what became the unofficial anthem of English Canada for many years. Resting on the west side of the cemetery, Muir penned a patriotic poem for a contest in October 1867, the year of Canada’s confederation on July 1st, where he secured second place at the age of 37 (he lived to be 76). With no composer stepping forward to set his poem to music, Muir took matters into his own hands and crafted the music himself.

Here is Alexander Muir on Wikipedia, and the history of the song on Canadian Encyclopedia. Read here about the Orange reference on his gravestone.

2. Hart Massey – the builder of Massey Hall

In February 1884, Charles Massey, a talented organist and pianist, and a partner in his father Hart’s thriving family business, passed away unexpectedly from typhoid at the age of 36. Stricken with grief, Hart resolved to commemorate his beloved son’s legacy by erecting a concert hall in his honor. Ten years later, the hall opened its doors to the public. Sadly, just two years after its inauguration, Hart himself passed away at the age of 72. Today, he rests in the Massey mausoleum located in the western half of the cemetery, alongside his cherished son.

For any music enthusiast exploring Toronto, attending a concert at Massey Hall is an essential experience. Read more about its history here. Hart Massey’s wiki is here.

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3. John Rutsey – the original Rush drummer

Legendary Canadian rock band Rush was founded by a group of teens in Willowdale, which is part of Toronto now. School colleagues John Rutsey (see his wiki) and Alex Lifeson founded a band where the guy doing bass & vocals left after the first concert, being replaced by Geddy Lee. John left Rush after their first album came out. His last performance with Rush was two days after his 22nd birthday, in July 1974.

He passsed away in his sleep in May 2008, aged 55, and his funeral stone is in the Garden of Remembrance, on the East side of the cemetery.

4. Glenn Gould – the great Canadian classical pianist

Quite well hidden on the East side of the cemetery, on the North side of the roundabout, Glenn Gould‘s resting place is one of the popular destinations in Mount Pleasant. He was a Midtown resident, living at 110 St. Clair West not far from the cemetery, and passed away following a stroke two days after his 50th birthday in 1982.

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