adma
Superstar
Or else, it may remain a "purposeful black hole" a la St. Christopher House in the old CIBC at Queen & Bathurst...
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Sam's Sign and the Yonge Street Heritage Zeitgeist
- Thread starter Southcore
- Start date
someMidTowner
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Now legendary musician Geddy Lee is putting his two cents in:
http://www.rushisaband.com/blog/201...effort-to-save-iconic-Sam-the-Record-Man-sign
http://www.rushisaband.com/blog/201...effort-to-save-iconic-Sam-the-Record-Man-sign
toronto_the_good
New Member
Funny how it is extremely important to spend over $70,000 on 30 "heritage chairs" that most Torontonians or Tourists have never seen or even cared about; then compare that with taking down an iconic sign that many people from outside of Toronto view as a symbol of Toronto (looking at the records while Mark Daley's voice bellowed, "city TV, everywhere") I find it ironic how the same people who are adamant that the chairs are part of Toronto culture and we must pay whatever it costs to refurbish and yet the Sam's Records are viewed as expendable and offer no history of old Toronto.
Tewder
Senior Member
The chairs have been politicized.
Johnny Au
Senior Member
...and yet Steve Job's childhood home is designated a heritage site, despite it being otherwise indistinguishable from other tract housing.
One Nut Kruk
Banned
That's ridiculous. If anyone's childhood home deserves to be a heritage site it's, Dale Goldhawk's.
adma
Superstar
The chairs are integral to City Hall, which *is* something most Torontonians or Tourists have seen or cared about. And believe it or not, an awful lot of those who're sticking up for the chairs are also sticking up for the Sam's sign...
Peepers
Banned
Perhaps Geddy Lee should put his money where his mouth is. Sam Sniderman was instrumental in pushing for Canadian content regulations that have no doubt made Geddy Lee many millions of dollars over the years. Geddy Lee and the many other CAN-CON millionaires should pitch in and pay for the restoration of this sign.
One Nut Kruk
Banned
I wouldn't say most Torontonians or tourists have seen those chairs -- though I agree about their importance. I really can't imagine that most Torontonians have even been inside City Hall.
Peepers
Banned
One Nut Kruk
Banned
Can someone clarify what has been retained re the sign? I assume only the spinning discs and not the red background or flashing SAM signs?
adma
Superstar
Apparently yes; the red background and the SAM letters--hard to divorce it all from each other. (But not all the other neon discs that accompanied the store's 1990s expansion.)
MetroMan
Senior Member
I think we have an opportunity here to solve another problem while finding a good home for the sign. The stage at Yonge-Dundas Square was never finished due to budget constraints. It was then built piecemeal with a mismash of cheap additions. I think this would be a great opportunity to rebuild the stage with the Sam's sign as the backdrop. Ryerson would pitch in along with the city to build a proper stage and the sign would have a great home flashing behind performing artists. At the revelation of the new stage, the square could then finally get its proper name: Sam The Recordman Square, or Recordman Square for short.
One Nut Kruk
Banned
Oh, good. I really wasn't expecting those parts to be retained; but was hoping that would be the case.
Tewder
Senior Member
Metroman,
I feel that the sign would be too low if added as a backdrop to the stage. It would create a huge barrier. I'd prefer to see it mounted higher. Somebody suggested one of the media towers or one of the blank grey walls of the Toronto Life Building. These ideas seem good to me... or perhaps a purpose-built tower or structure?
I feel that the sign would be too low if added as a backdrop to the stage. It would create a huge barrier. I'd prefer to see it mounted higher. Somebody suggested one of the media towers or one of the blank grey walls of the Toronto Life Building. These ideas seem good to me... or perhaps a purpose-built tower or structure?