Inductees
2013 Stars
Barenaked Ladies – Jim Creeggan, Kevin Hearn, Ed Robertson, Tyler Stewart – Entertainment
Christine Bentley – Community
Dwayne Morgan – Arts and Culture
Judie Oliver – Sports
Gerry Phillips – Community
Scarborough Historical Society – Lionel Purcell, Richard Schofield – Community
Monika Schnarre – Arts and Culture
2011 Stars
Peter Appleyard – Entertainment
Dr. Vicki Bismilla – Education
Lawrence Gowan – Entertainment
Jay C. Hope – Community
Dr. Dhun Noria – Health and Science
Dr. Harold Stein – Health and Science
Ron Watson – Community
2009 Stars
Marilyn Denis – Entertainment
Dwayne De Rosario – Sports
Gordon Deval – Sports
Lois James – Environment
Debra McGrath – Entertainment
Don Montgomery – Community (awarded posthumously)
2008 Stars
Dr. Sheela Basrur – Health and Science
Earl Campbell – Education
Deborah Cox – Entertainment
Ben Heppner – Entertainment
Rick Middleton – Sports
John Wimbs – Community
2007 Stars
James Bamford – Community
Johnny Cowell – Arts and Culture
Dr. Ming-Tat Cheung – Community
Bob Hunter – Environment
Cindy Nicholas – Sports
Anson Taylor – Education
2006 Stars
Dr. Lloyd Carlsen – Health and Science
Dr. R. H. King – Education
Dr. Charles C. Macklin – Science
Jamaal Magloire – Sports
Doris McCarthy – Arts and Culture *new bio for McCarthy see below
David Onley – Community
Vicky Sunohara – Sports
David Thomson – Pioneer
Wes Williams – Entertainment
Dr. Joseph Y. K. Wong – Community
Trumpeter, composer, arranger and long-time resident of Scarborough, Johnny Cowell was bitten by the performing bug at the age of six when he played his first trumpet solo with the Tillsonburg Town Band. Largely self-taught, Cowell joined the Toronto Symphony Band as trumpet soloist in 1942.
Following World War II, Cowell returned to Canada where he was a member of the Royal Canadian Navy Band in Victoria B.C., and also with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra where he played first trumpet from 1943-45. He lent his musical talents to several dance bands including those of Stanley St. John and Art Hallman, the Spitfire Band and Jack Denton's Palais Royale Orchestra. In the mid-1970s he joined the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and stayed until 1991.
Throughout his career, Cowell maintained his independence as a trumpeter, performing solos with various orchestras and bands. Composing music was also a passion of Cowell's, and he became one of Canada's most successful songwriters. Of the 200 songs Cowell wrote, more than 150 were recorded.
His song Walk Hand in Hand was recorded by several artists and became a major hit in North America and Britain.
In 1997, Cowell was awarded the Civic Award of Merit by former Scarborough Mayor Frank Faubert for his international success in the world of music.