Sergio Galli began his musical journey in the early 1980s, winning a homegrown contest hosted by a Toronto radio station. “At that time, I didn’t have a band, so I joined one on my street,” he recalls.
Galli eventually left that band to join Platinum Blonde, which rapidly gained popularity and became one of the most prominent Canadian rock bands of the 1980s. “We sold a lot of records and built a substantial fan base,” Galli, the band’s guitarist and songwriter, notes.
The band’s big break came with a free outdoor show in 1983 at Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square, where the crowd exceeded 25,000 and more than 40 people were hospitalized due to the overwhelming excitement.
“We were a sort of new wave band from the ‘80s,” Galli explains. “We had a unique sound that just happened to catch on.”
Galli is set to be one of two new inductees into the Mississauga Music Walk of Fame (MMWF) at a public ceremony scheduled for 11 a.m. on September 8, at the Gazebo Stage in Memorial Park, Port Credit.
“To be acknowledged in music is truly special because music has been my life,” Galli expresses. “I’m honored to be inducted and eagerly anticipate the event.”
Galli’s connection to Mississauga began in the late 1980s when he purchased land in the city and built a house. “I had just married a Mississauga native at the time,” he adds, noting he still resides in the same house.
MMWF records that Platinum Blonde’s multi-platinum album Alien Shores was recorded at Metalworks Recording Studio in Mississauga. The band, which was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame last year, is currently touring across Canada with Billy Idol, with whom they also toured 40 years ago. They will perform at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena on August 9 as part of the tour. Additionally, Galli mentioned plans for a 40th anniversary tour next year, although details are yet to be confirmed.
Joining Galli in the MMWF induction ceremony is internationally acclaimed classical violinist Adrian Anantawan, known for his performances at the White House, Carnegie Hall, and the Athens and Vancouver Olympic Games. Anantawan, a Juno Award nominee for Best Children’s Album, is also an associate professor of music at Berklee College in Boston. “Throughout the year, Anantawan continues to perform, speak, and teach globally, advocating for disability and the arts,” MMWF stated in a news release.
Anantawan helped establish the Virtual Chamber Music Initiative at Toronto’s Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. This project brings together researchers, musicians, doctors, and educators to create adaptive musical instruments for young people with disabilities in a chamber music setting.
MMWF chair Cliff Hunt praised Anantawan and Galli, saying they “epitomize” the MMWF’s mission. “We take pride in celebrating a diverse array of stars from all walks of life representing Mississauga’s rich cultural community, and this year is no exception,” he said.
The Mississauga Music Walk of Fame, located in Memorial Park, was founded in 2012 by former Ward 1 Mississauga councillor and musician Jim Tovey, who passed away in 2018. It honors musicians and industry leaders who have made significant contributions to the world of music. Previous inductees include jazz legend Oscar Peterson, Triumph’s Gil Moore and Rik Emmett, Ronnie Hawkins, Tommy Hunter, Denny Doherty of the Mamas and Papas, Jeff Healey, Phil X of Bon Jovi, Liberty Silver, Alessia Cara, and many others.
