Sass Jordan, Juno-Winning Rock Icon and 'Canadian Idol' Judge, Dies at 65
Sass Jordan, the Montreal-based rock singer and songwriter known for 'Make You a Believer,' has died at age 65. She passed away on October 2, 2026, surrounded by family. Jordan was a Juno Award winner, a judge on all six seasons of 'Canadian Idol,' and a mentor to artists like Taylor Hawkins. Her career spanned four decades, from 1980s session work to 2020s blues albums.
Key points
- Sass Jordan died on October 2, 2026, at age 65, surrounded by family; no cause of death was released.
- Born Sarah Jordan in Birmingham, England, she was raised in Montreal and began her career in 1986.
- Her 1992 album 'Racine' sold 450,000 copies worldwide and featured the hit 'Make You a Believer.'
- She won the 1989 Juno Award for Most Promising Female Vocalist and served as a judge on 'Canadian Idol' from 2003 to 2009.
- Jordan continued recording into the 2020s, releasing 'Rebel Moon Blues' (2020) and 'Bitches Blues' (2022).
Background
Our earlier coverage noted Jordan's mentorship of Taylor Hawkins and her tours with Aerosmith and AC/DC. A previous report incorrectly listed her age as 63, which was corrected to 65 in subsequent updates. This obituary synthesizes the confirmed details of her death and career milestones.
How outlets are covering it
Variety and CBC both confirmed her death on October 2 and cited family statements describing her as an 'inimitable force of nature.' CBC highlighted tributes from industry figures like Geoff Kulawick and Derek Downham, emphasizing her impact on women in rock. Variety focused on her commercial success, noting 'Racine' sales and Billboard rankings. The third source, a public relations firm, provided minimal additional detail but confirmed the family statement. All sources agree on the date of death and the lack of a disclosed cause.
Why it matters
Jordan's death marks the end of an era for Canadian rock, as she was a pioneering female artist who broke barriers in a male-dominated genre. Her long tenure on 'Canadian Idol' and continued recording into her 60s underscore her enduring influence on the music industry and her role as a mentor to younger performers.
What to watch
The music community is expected to hold tributes and memorial events honoring Jordan's legacy. Her estate may announce posthumous releases or archival projects, given her extensive catalog spanning four decades. No immediate follow-up on the cause of death is expected, as the family has not disclosed details.
- Sass Jordan, Singer and Longtime ‘Canadian Idol’ Judge, Dies at 65 Variety
- Juno-winning singer Sass Jordan dead at 65 CBC
- Sass Jordan, Montreal Rocker Behind ‘Racine’ and “Make You a Believer,” Dies at 65 That Eric Alper
- Rock icon whose career spanned 4 decades dies at 63: ‘An inimitable force of nature’ PennLive.com
- Sass Jordan, Rock Star and Canadian Idol Judge, Dies at 63 People.com
Want the full story? Read the original reporting
Read on Variety