Sass Jordan dies at 63: The Canadian rock star and idol judge who gave Foo Fighters’ Taylor Hawkins his first big break

Sass Jordan passing age 63: Sass Jordan, rock star and judge of Canadian Idol, has passed away at age 63. Jordan’s family announced her death with a post on her Instagram account on Friday, October 2, saying that she was surrounded by her “loving family” as she “peacefully crossed over to the other side.” “She remains in our hearts, an inimitable force of nature. An irreplaceable being of light and joy!” the caption stated. As the news of Sass Jordan's demise spread on social media, people began frantically searching for who was Sass Jordan, Canadian singer's hits, Sass Jordan's net worth, husband and other details related to her personal life. There is no information available regarding Sass Jordan's net worth.

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Who was Sass Jordan?

Sass Jordan was born Sarah Jordan in Birmingham, England and was raised in Montreal when she was three years old. She was born on December 23, 1960, to French literature professor Albert Jordan and ballerina Jean Lanceman.

Her publicist, Eric Alper, wrote on his website that seeing David Bowie on his Diamond Dogs tour inspired Jordan to become a singer and a musician. “Over four decades, she gave Canadian rock one of its most recognizable voices, carved out space for women in a genre long dominated by men, and opened doors for the young musicians who came through her band,” Alper wrote.

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Sass Jordan early life, career

Sass Jordan made her recording debut in 1986 as co-lead vocalist on “Come On (Baby Tonight” on Bündock’s album, “Mauve.” Two years later, she made her solo debut with “Tell Somebody,” which rose to the #11 spot in Canada and won her the Juno Award for Most Promising Female Vocalist in 1989. She was then nominated for Best Female Vocalist in 1990, 1993, and 1995.

Sass Jordan carved out a nearly four-decade career that saw her share stages with Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, and Van Halen. Her 1988 debut album Tell Somebody announced her arrival, but it was 1992’s Racine that cemented her legacy. In the same year, after Kevin Costner heard her voice on his car radio, she recorded the duet “Trust in Me” with Joe Cocker for The Bodyguard soundtrack, an album that would go on to sell more than 45 million copies worldwide.

Jordan was an award-winning performer who was named the Most Promising Female Vocalist of the Year at the Juno Awards, the Canadian version of the Grammys. She was also nominated for Best Female Vocalist at the Junos in 1990, 1993 and 1995 and was named Top Female Rock Artist of the Year in 1992 by Billboard magazine. From 2003 through 2008, she served as a judge on the television singing competition Canadian Idol. Before that, she helped an aspiring musician to his first step toward rock stardom.

How is Sass Jordan linked to Taylor Hawkins?

Taylor Hawkins catapulted to international stardom as a member of the Foo Fighters, but it was Jordan who gave him his first big break, when she hired him to be the drummer in her touring band in 1994 when he was just 22. Ten years later, on July 9, 2015, the Foo Fighters welcomed Jordan onstage to give thanks to the singer for launching Hawkins’ career during a gig at the Molson Amphitheatre in Toronto.

In video posted on YouTube, Hawkins recounts the story about how he landed the gig in Jordan’s band.

“ Back in 1994, I was working at this music store, and I met this guy, and he said, ‘Hey, you know, you’re working at a music store. Is that what you wanna do with your life?’ And I said, ‘No, I wanna be in a big, rad rock band.’ So he said, ‘Well, I know this cool, cool chick, and she is going on tour. She’s going to Europe to open up for Aerosmith, and she’s Canadian.’ She said, ‘My name is is Sass Jordan.’ … Does anybody know who that is here? I think you do. OK, well, this woman took some dipshit like me, 22-year-old who didn’t know shit, a greenhorn, on the road, taught me how to be in a rock and roll band, gave me my first rock and roll check. Not chick, check. And tonight I get to play with her again. I haven’t played with her in a long time. Can you guys say hello to Sass Jordan?”

From Rock Clubs to Canadian Idol

Jordan’s influence extended far beyond her own recordings. From 2003 to 2008, she served as a judge on Canadian Idol, the only woman on the panel, helping guide young artists through the pressures of live television.

She also starred as Janis Joplin in the off-Broadway production Love, Janis and appeared in Toronto and Winnipeg productions of The Vagina Monologues.

Her later years brought a celebrated blues chapter. Rebel Moon Blues (2020) debuted at No. 5 on Billboard’s Blues Albums chart, followed by Bitches Blues in 2022.

Sass Jordan announced serious medical condition

In September 2026, Jordan’s representatives announced she was stepping away from all professional commitments for the remainder of the year due to a “serious medical condition.” Remaining tour dates were canceled, though no specifics were disclosed at the time. And less than a month later, she was dead. Jordan is survived by her husband, musician Derek Sharp, her daughter Stella Jordan-Sharp, stepdaughter Brianne Sharp, and brother Daniel Jordan.