Very clever title :-)
Posted by Frida at March 26, 2009 04:16 AMargh ... I am a Canadian living in England and I look at your site each morning ... one does not need to see this photo first thing in the morning ... sigh ... I so well remember trips to SAM The Record Man where one could find the most amazing things ... great old jazz records etc. ... a sad loss for Toronto.
Posted by Anne Roy at March 26, 2009 04:20 AMThat makes me so sad!!!
Thanks for the info, Sam.
N.
Posted by Nicolas at March 26, 2009 05:47 AMLove your pictures. I used to live in Toronto, visit your site every day to remember my old town.
Posted by bj2k at March 26, 2009 08:01 AMWow, was that taken on Yonge street?
I can't even recognize the place anymore.
wow, how depressing... i didn't realize they had demolished it.
Posted by Karrie at March 26, 2009 08:31 AMWithout doubt THE best music shop in the world. The staff were all so knowledgeable - and really helpful. We used to go to Toronto for Christmas (from the UK), and one of the highlights was a trip to SAM's for Boxing Day sale bargains. In those days there wasn't a weight limit on hand luggage - just as well, as all that vinyl wasn't light. And, yes, I still have all that vinyl!
So, mixed feelings - sad to see that it's come to this, but such great memories! Thanks Sam (and SAM).
In mesle 40 tike mimoone. :)
Posted by Hanieh at March 26, 2009 09:08 AMWow, kinda sad. Thanks for links to Sam's in better times
Posted by anne at March 26, 2009 09:18 AMSam - hope you got some shots from Yonge of the front? you can see that the store was made up of a couple of houses.
Posted by Mark Moore at March 26, 2009 09:56 AMI wonder if Sam's family can still afford their Forest Hill Mansion. I've been there long ago when LP's were it. Can't depend on anything in this world it seems.
Posted by Hugh Petrie at March 26, 2009 09:57 AMOne of the most depressing things you've ever posted. Thanks for ruining my day!
I used to visit Toronto with the express purpose of blowing a day and wad of cash at Sam. No more...
Posted by Sam Fan at March 26, 2009 10:01 AM/sobs
Posted by Suellen at March 26, 2009 10:15 AMIt looks so sad now.
Posted by Ro at March 26, 2009 10:25 AMInteressante
Posted by terraconvida at March 26, 2009 10:41 AMWoah, that's me on the right. What are the chances?
Posted by Ryan Kent at March 26, 2009 12:35 PMThe digital age has really had a dramatic effect on this industry. Technology is a mixed blessing.
Posted by Laurie at March 26, 2009 01:37 PMAlthough a sad photo...thanks for reminding me of some of my teenage memories...heading downtown and hanging out at Sam's! What a great place!
Posted by Barb at March 26, 2009 01:53 PMWow I don't even recognize it...
Posted by Keith at March 26, 2009 02:02 PMYou are giving me a Salad King craving, just looking at this shot. haha
Interesting that the setting of this wonderful image will no longer exist in a few months, once the new Ryerson building goes up. I took a photo of the same space, from the vantage point of Sunrise Records (which may also soon cease to exist, har har)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9479058@N07/3277570611/in/set-72157613789211922/
Posted by Michael Thorner at March 26, 2009 02:23 PMi can't believe they really destroyed sam. i remember my first visit to toronto back in '94 while i discovered this gorgeous store.
R-I-P
and cheers from germany
Wow, the colors really pop in this image though they're actually quite subtle. I find the mood here very intriguing. Nice work!
Posted by Benjamin at March 26, 2009 06:11 PMSam - what I meant to say was that the houses that made up half of Sam's are still there - if you stand on the west side of Yonge -I'll send you pix.
Posted by Mark Moore at March 26, 2009 08:42 PMI'm living overseas at the moment and living vicariously through your pics each day. Sad to see this place go. Surprised they didn't even keep the facade
Posted by Keith at March 26, 2009 09:43 PMThe first time I set foot in Sam The Record Man, I believe they were promoting MIGHT AS WELL GO FOR SODA by Kim Mitchell, and the album that song came from. Yessiree. Before his "PATIO LANTERNS" period. lol
(1984/1985?)
Wow I used to live right down Elm Street and saw Sam's every day on my regular walk to work....It was quite a popular backdrop location for alot of TV and movies....Well its change, that's the city....but there goes the neighborhood now!
Posted by Greg Fyn at April 4, 2009 09:18 PM