Between 1980 - 1984 I was just discovering music as only a teenager can. As I look back at songs and artists I was into it's interesting to note the Canadian bands that made a mark on the music. Not all of these bands made it to the top but each had a significant impact.
Triumph
Thunder Seven was my favorite album but Lay It On The Line from their Just a Game album showed them in top form.
April Wine
April Wine would achieve more commercial success on 1981's Nature of the Beast but 1979's Harder Faster is probably the better album top to bottom.
Rush
Out of the four bands Rush probably had the most iconic career. Alex Leifeson, Geddy Lee (he did sing with Bob and Doug McKenzie), and most important to me Neil Peart. Tom Sawyer is probably their best known song but 2112 really is the album that I enjoy the most. Still no beating the drum fills Neil plays on this track.
Loverboy
Loverboy probably had the most commercial success for an album out of these four with Get Lucky. When I had just gotten the album I remember thinking how amazing it was that every song on the album was awesome. Not sure if all of the songs have stood the test of time but there are several classics from this album that are still relevant.
Here is a pretty cool story about a audience member being pulled up to the stage to sing when lead singer Mike Reno got sick at a performance. Also a little bit of trivia involving the cover art of the Get Lucky album.