Hamilton, Ontario's Ian Thomas recorded "Hold On" (Thomas) for the 1981 album "The Runner". Ian played the part of Dougie Franklin on The Red Green Show.

The following year Santana (Carlos Santana, Alex Ligertwood, Armando Peraza, Prestes Vilato, Richard Baker, Gregg Rolie, Graham Lear and David Margen) released "Hold On" with vocalist Alex Ligertwood on the album "Shango". The first single from the album hit number fifteen on Billboard.