'She had such an incredible impact on Canada': Tributes pour in for Sass Jordan after rock icon dies at 63

Tributes are pouring in for Canadian rock icon Sass Jordan, who died this month at 63.

On Saturday, the Montreal-raised artist's family took to social media to share the news, noting the "Tell Somebody" singer died on Friday, Oct. 2. An official cause of death hasn't been released.

"Surrounded by her loving family, Sass Jordan peacefully crossed over to the other side," the post read. "She remains in our hearts, an inimitable force of nature. An irreplaceable being of light and joy!"

Fellow Canadian musicians and fans shared their condolences online. Many artists shared their appreciation for Jordan's impact across her four-decade-long career. Others were shocked to hear the news.

"Love you, sweet lady. Love you forever," Bif Naked penned.

"So, so sad to hear this." Adam Gontier, co-lead singer of Three Days Grace, wrote. "She had such an incredible impact on Canada. Sending all my love to her family and friends."

"Devastating," wrote Halifax-based singer-songwriter Rose Cousins, to which someone replied: "I hope she knew how much she influenced so many Canadian musicians."

"This is so sad," Cynthia Loyst, co-host of CTV's The Social, said.

"Oh no. Sending love and light to her family and friends," Jully Black noted. "We [spent] time together when I was a mentor on 'Canadian Idol.' Gone too soon. Rest in peace."

"So suddenly, I'm heartbroken," Glenn Hughes, bassist and singer of English band Trapeze, shared. "A true friend. We had so much love, joy and laughter, and music together. RIP, my Sasseroonie Girl."

"Every time I saw her live, it was just mind-boggling," someone on Facebook wrote. "She owned that stage and that voice was just something else. Rest easy, Sass."

"So devastated. Rock icon. Trailblazer. Pure joy. Canadian music rock queen," an Instagram user added.

Jordan is known for hits like "Make You a Believer" and "You Don't Have to Remind Me." (Larry Marano/Getty Images)

Jordan was born in Birmingham, England, on Dec. 23, 1962. When she was a child, her family moved to Montreal. As a teenager, she began performing in the city and eventually became the vocalist and bassist for The Pinups.

She also began working as a session vocalist for local acts, and lent her songwriting abilities to several artists, including Michael Breen, who took "Rain" onto the Canadian charts in 1987.

Her debut album, Tell Somebody, was released in 1988. A year later, she won the Juno award for the Most Promising Female Vocalist of the Year, and was nominated for Best Female Vocalist in 1990, 1993 and 1995.

After moving to Los Angeles in January 1990, she recorded her next album, Racine, which was released in 1992. That album — full of hits like "Make You a Believer," "I Want to Believe" and "Goin' Back Again" — sold an estimated 450,000 copies worldwide, with roughly 100,000 across Canada.

In 1994, she released Rats, which she reportedly called her favourite album. Present and Hot Gossip came after, in 1997 and 2000, respectively. In 2003, she joined Canadian Idol as a judge, and returned to making music in 2006 with Get What You Give.

The Guess Who frontman Derek Sharp and Sass Jordan met in the 1990s and eventually married. (Fred Hayes/Getty Images)

In 2009, she recorded From Dusk 'til Dawn, with her husband, Derek Sharp, producing it. In 2020, she released her first blues album, Rebel Moon Blues, following up with her second blues work in 2022.

Last month, an undisclosed medical issue reportedly led Jordan to cancelling three northwestern Ontario shows in Thunder Bay, Fort Frances and Dryden. She was also scheduled to perform in Quebece City with Styx on Oct. 24, but was advised to step away from all professional commitments for the remainder of 2026, according to a social media post.