Walt Grealis

Walter Grealis (18 February 1929 – 20 January 2004) was a Canadian publisher and music industry leader. With partner Stan Klees, he co-founded Canada's national music honours, the Juno Awards. As an ardent supporter of Canadian music, Grealis is credited with coining the term CanCon.

History Grealis was born in Toronto and attended Central High School of Commerce in that city until Grade 10. His initial career was in law enforcement, first as a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer then from 1952 as a Toronto city police officer.

With partner Stan Klees, the Gold Leaf Awards were founded to honour Canadian music industry achievements. From 1964 to 1969, winners were announced in RPM at the end of each year. In 1970, this was expanded to a formal ceremonial event and renamed to Juno Awards later that year.

Honours Grealis was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1993. In 1999, Grealis was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. At the Juno Awards of 2004, he was posthumously honoured with the music industry achievement award named the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award.

Later life Grealis, a non-smoker, died at his home in 2004 following several years of lung cancer.