The magazine had honoured musicians in the previous six years using a reader survey until this formal ceremony.
These awards were presented at St. Lawrence Hall in Toronto on 23 February 1970.
250 people attended this inaugural awards ceremony, twice the number who were invited.
Winners received walnut wood trophies that resembled metronomes.
[2] Andy Kim Ginette Reno The Guess Who Tommy Hunter Dianne Leigh The Mercey Brothers Gordon Lightfoot Saul Holiff "Which Way You Goin' Billy?