If you missed the Juno awards on the weekend, you missed something magical - the reunion of one of Canada’s most beloved bands.

Steven Page performed with the Barenaked Ladies after the band was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

Page left almost a decade ago after being caught with drugs in the U.S., though the possession charges were dropped.

Page told media the incident was the catalyst to his decision to pursue a solo songwriting career. And that’s certainly his right.

But as a fan it was still hard to not be disappointed. To think, “that’s too bad,” instead of, “good for him.”

Their album Stunt was one of the first CDs I owned. I listened to it constantly as I mowed the lawn in my younger teen years, though it was eventually supplanted by the Red Hot Chili Peppers classic Californication.

The Barenaked Ladies are unique. They became famous with their silly, whimsical style, but they’re also skilled musicians - a fact noted by none other than bass deity Geddy Lee of Rush.

And Page brought the group a heartfelt sentimentality, most notably on “Old Apartment” and “Jane.” But you can also hear it on the otherwise fun rocker “Enid.”

Maybe that’s why the band, while still successful, isn’t the same without him - just like the Chili Peppers aren’t the same band without guitarist John Frusciante.

If the remaining Ladies and Page are all happy and musically fulfilled, that’s great. And fans should know better than to expect their favourite artists to never change.

But it sure was nice to see them on stage together again, if only once.