A City in Tune: Mississauga’s Greatest Hits
Named Music City in 2023, Mississauga is known locally and internationally as a hub for musical talent, with nearly 70 years of hits and significant contributions in the music industry. This rich musical history comes to life in A City in Tune: Mississauga’s Greatest Hits, with the stories, sounds, and items that reveal the people and places behind the music.
Through iconic instruments, stage-worn outfits, archival materials, and ephemera from Mississauga’s music founders, rock legends, and modern icons, A City in Tune invites you to discover the stories behind the performers, the creative spaces that supported their careers, and the lasting influence of the musicians, innovators, and contributors who have shaped the city’s musical legacy. From Oscar Peterson and Ronnie Hawkins to Triumph, Billy Talent, and MR. SAUGA, the exhibition spans generations and genres, exploring how music has shaped connection, identity, and community across the city. See remarkable artifacts that bring these stories to life, including Rik Emmett’s autographed Triumph guitar, Gil Moore’s drum kit, Donna Grantis’ guitar and stage-worn tour outfits, and a collection of Billy Talent gear, memorabilia, and tour artifacts.
A City in Tune is curated by the Museums of Mississauga, building on the success of the first A City in Tune exhibition in 2025, developed in collaboration with students from the University of Toronto’s Master of Museum Studies program. Research and artifacts for this installment draw from Mississauga’s rich music community, including the Mississauga Music Walk of Fame, Legends Row, Heritage Mississauga, alongside partnerships with the Region of Peel Archives and the Canadian Black Music Archives.
A companion micro-exhibition runs alongside the Adamson Estate show at Courtneypark Library from September 25, 2026 to February 26, 2027. While the exhibition at Adamson Estate celebrates some of Mississauga’s most influential music legends and the places that shaped the city’s musical legacy, this companion exhibition shines a spotlight on the grassroots musicians, emerging artists, and community connections that continue to define Mississauga’s sound today. It is inspired by the 2025 exhibition, A City in Tune, presented at Bradley Museum.
