Steven Page: What Happened to the BNL Singer? His Life Now

Fifteen years after walking away from one of Canada’s most beloved bands, Steven Page is still writing songs, touring, and living a life that looks nothing like the tabloid headlines of 2008. The former Barenaked Ladies frontman has rebuilt his career on his own terms—releasing solo albums, performing intimate shows, and raising a family far from the arena-rock spotlight.

Famous As: Former lead singer of Barenaked Ladies (Wikipedia online encyclopedia) ·
Current Role: Solo musician and songwriter (CBC News) ·
Years Active (BNL): 1988–2009 (Wikipedia)

A few key identifiers, one pattern: Page’s career trajectory is marked by a clean break and a quiet rebuild.

What this means: Page’s public biography is thinner than most major rock exits—much of his story in the past decade is only visible through live performance listings and brief media statements.

What happened to Steven Page?

Departure from Barenaked Ladies

• 1988: Page co-founded Barenaked Ladies with Ed Robertson (Wikipedia).
• 2009: He left the band in February by mutual agreement (Wikipedia; CBC).
• 2018: The original lineup reunited for a single Juno Awards performance after Page had not been in the same room with the other members for years (CBC).

Page later explained in an interview that the split was driven by a mutual desire to no longer work together. “Nobody wanted to be around each other anymore,” he recalled (YouTube).

The break came after a period of tension that included Page’s personal struggles and a high-profile drug arrest.

Arrest and drug possession case

The arrest garnered significant media attention and put pressure on the band’s dynamic, ultimately contributing to the decision to part ways.

Transition to solo career

• By 2010, Page had begun performing as a solo artist, eventually releasing music independently (CBC).
• He built a trio with guitarist Craig Northey and cellist Kevin Fox, focusing on more intimate arrangements (CBC).
• In 2021, he was still actively touring, as evidenced by a concert listing at the Old Town School of Folk Music (Old Town School).

The trade-off: Page traded the arena crowds and hit singles for creative freedom and a quieter life. By most accounts, it’s a trade he doesn’t regret.

What does Steven Page do now?

New album releases

His music since leaving BNL leans toward folk-rock and introspective songwriting, a shift from the band’s pop-rap hybrid sound. In 2021, he performed a live stream concert that highlighted his newer material (Old Town School).

Tour dates and performances in 2026

• Page performed at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago in September 2021 (Old Town School).
• As of 2023, his official website listed upcoming shows, though specific 2026 plans have not been announced (source referenced in content plan but not independently verified).

Side projects and collaborations

• Page formed a touring trio with Craig Northey and Kevin Fox (CBC).
• He has collaborated with other Canadian artists, though few details are public.

The pattern: Page’s post-BNL identity is built on small venues and loyal fans rather than radio hits—a deliberate move away from the pressure cooker of a major-label band.

Who is Steven Page married to?

Children and previous marriage

• Page and his first wife Carolyn divorced in 2007, a year before his arrest (YouTube).
• He married Christine in 2015 according to multiple online sources, though no official statement from Page has been found in the reviewed materials (unclear).

The takeaway: Page’s personal life remains largely private. What is known suggests a period of upheaval followed by a more settled phase.

Why did Steven leave BNL?

• Page stated in 2018 that he and the other members simply “didn’t want to be around each other anymore” (YouTube).
• His divorce in 2007 and the subsequent drug arrest in 2008 added personal strain (YouTube).
• According to Page, the split also involved immigration issues and his need to prioritize therapy and recovery (YouTube).
• From the band’s side, remaining members continued as a four-piece without Page, releasing albums and touring (CBC).

Page has been clear that there was no dramatic single event; it was a gradual realization that the partnership had run its course.

The implication: For fans, the departure of a lead singer is often framed as a feud, but Page’s account suggests a far more human—and less sensational—series of circumstances.

Where does Steven Page live now?

• In 2018, Page was residing in the United States, according to CBC (CBC).
• His current city of residence has not been publicly confirmed; multiple sources suggest he may have returned to Canada, but no reliable documentation exists.

Given the lack of public updates, fans looking for Page today are best advised to follow his tour schedule for the most current location.

The catch: In an era of oversharing, Page has chosen to keep his personal address strictly offline. That silence itself says something about his priorities.

Timeline: Key events in Steven Page’s career

• 1988 – Co-founded Barenaked Ladies with Ed Robertson (Wikipedia).
• 2008 – Arrested for cocaine possession in New York (YouTube).
• 2009 – Left Barenaked Ladies by mutual agreement (Wikipedia; CBC).
• 2018 – Reunited with BNL for Juno Hall of Fame induction performance (CBC).

Note: Dates for his solo album releases and marriage are not confirmed by the sources reviewed here.

In his own words

“Nobody wanted to be around each other anymore.”

Steven Page, speaking on the Tom Green Farm podcast (YouTube)

Page told CBC in 2018 that neither side had any desire to restore him to the band, but added there was no rule against future collaborations if both sides were enjoying them (CBC).

For fans hoping for a full Barenaked Ladies reunion, the message from Page is clear: the past is past, and his future is his own. The trade-off he made—leaving behind multiplatinum success for artistic independence—has paid off in creative satisfaction, if not in chart positions. That’s a rare outcome for any musician who walks away from a hit-making machine.

Frequently asked questions

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