06-26-2007, 05:19 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 3,101
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From the Toronto Star:
Sam's items on the block
TheStar.com - News - Sam's items on the block
June 26, 2007
Curtis Rush
Staff Reporter
The countdown is on for anyone hoping to buy a memento from iconic Yonge St. landmark Sam the Record Man, which is closing for good on Saturday.
Hundreds of pieces of memorabilia, antiques and collectables inside the store can be viewed today from noon to 5 p.m. in a pre-auction showing.
The one-day auction starts at 10:30 a.m.Wednesday. Doors open at 9 a.m.
Sheldon Miller, president of auction company Benaco Sales Ltd., says that as many as 800 people can be accommodated inside the 7,000 square foot auction area inside the store, located off the Edward St. entrance.
"If we have to, we'll put people outside and it will be broadcast on the south side of the building," Miller said. "As long as people are registered, we'll have spotters out there and will try to incorporate them into the sale."
Included in the 850 lots on offer are about 100 signed pieces of memorabilia, including posters and pictures signed by the likes of Shania Twain, U2 and Celine Dion.
The iconic "Sam the Record Man" signs and two giant neon discs on the building’s west side will be retained by the city as part of a Yonge St. preservation project, but three smaller neon discs on the building are up for grabs.
Another interesting offering is a rack wall, each section of which is signed by such artists as Bruce Springsteen, Burton Cummings and Steven Tyler.
"The flat walls are used to hang hooks on them and they've been signed over the years by different artists," said Miller. "We'll unscrew it and they can frame it and have major piece of history."
Some items in the unusual category include a five-seat shoeshine station, antique pinball games, indoor marquee signs, a neon guitar, chandeliers, bars and a jukebox.
Even store fixtures such as 100,000 CD security cases are up for grabs.
Bidders have to register by providing a $300 refundable deposit by credit card, cash or debit on site.
There is no online registration.
People can also enter proxy bids today by calling 416-667-0712 or sending an email to Benaco naming the item they're interested in and what their maximum bid will be. Once their credit card information is confirmed, the auctioneer will bid for them on Wednesday.
No proxy bids will be registered tomorrow.
Preparing for a huge influx of bidders, the auctioneers are warning that it's first-come, first-served.
People are encouraged to come down today and register for the bidding tomorrow.
Miller calls it a "non-expectation auction," meaning his company wasn't entirely sure what it would be offering for sale.
As late as last night, the family of Sam’s founder Sam Sniderman was still deciding which items would be offered for sale. However, Miller added, about 97 per cent of what was in the store as recently as two weeks ago is going on the auction block, including an antique chair that was Sniderman's "throne," Miller said.
Amazingly, the retail part of the store will remain open for business on auction day.
"This is probably a first anywhere," Miller said, laughing. "There are still a lot of CDs to be sold."
The catalogue is now posted on the Benaco website:
http://www.benacosales.com/062707flyer.pdf
Sam The Record Man
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 @ 10:30am - Viewing: Tuesday, June 26, 12pm to 5pm
On Location: 347 Yonge St., Toronto, Ontario - Please enter off of Gould Street.
Green P parking at Yonge & Dundas or Take Subway to Dundas Station.
MEMORABILIA INCLUDING- 100+ AUTOGRAPHED PLAQUE MOUNTED POSTERS, FRAMED COMMEMORATIVE
GOLD & PLATINUM RECORDS AND CD’S & AUTOGRAPHED SLATWALL BY; TINA TURNER, STEVEN
TYLER, RAY CHARLES, BURTON CUMMINGS, *GORDON LIGHTFOOT*, BLUE RODEO, DAVID BOWIE, DAVE
MATTHEWS, BRYAN ADAMS, 10’ ELVIS AND 8’ PATSY CLINE PICS, AND MANY MORE!
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06-26-2007, 05:19 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 3,101
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From the Toronto Star:
Sam's items on the block
TheStar.com - News - Sam's items on the block
June 26, 2007
Curtis Rush
Staff Reporter
The countdown is on for anyone hoping to buy a memento from iconic Yonge St. landmark Sam the Record Man, which is closing for good on Saturday.
Hundreds of pieces of memorabilia, antiques and collectables inside the store can be viewed today from noon to 5 p.m. in a pre-auction showing.
The one-day auction starts at 10:30 a.m.Wednesday. Doors open at 9 a.m.
Sheldon Miller, president of auction company Benaco Sales Ltd., says that as many as 800 people can be accommodated inside the 7,000 square foot auction area inside the store, located off the Edward St. entrance.
"If we have to, we'll put people outside and it will be broadcast on the south side of the building," Miller said. "As long as people are registered, we'll have spotters out there and will try to incorporate them into the sale."
Included in the 850 lots on offer are about 100 signed pieces of memorabilia, including posters and pictures signed by the likes of Shania Twain, U2 and Celine Dion.
The iconic "Sam the Record Man" signs and two giant neon discs on the building’s west side will be retained by the city as part of a Yonge St. preservation project, but three smaller neon discs on the building are up for grabs.
Another interesting offering is a rack wall, each section of which is signed by such artists as Bruce Springsteen, Burton Cummings and Steven Tyler.
"The flat walls are used to hang hooks on them and they've been signed over the years by different artists," said Miller. "We'll unscrew it and they can frame it and have major piece of history."
Some items in the unusual category include a five-seat shoeshine station, antique pinball games, indoor marquee signs, a neon guitar, chandeliers, bars and a jukebox.
Even store fixtures such as 100,000 CD security cases are up for grabs.
Bidders have to register by providing a $300 refundable deposit by credit card, cash or debit on site.
There is no online registration.
People can also enter proxy bids today by calling 416-667-0712 or sending an email to Benaco naming the item they're interested in and what their maximum bid will be. Once their credit card information is confirmed, the auctioneer will bid for them on Wednesday.
No proxy bids will be registered tomorrow.
Preparing for a huge influx of bidders, the auctioneers are warning that it's first-come, first-served.
People are encouraged to come down today and register for the bidding tomorrow.
Miller calls it a "non-expectation auction," meaning his company wasn't entirely sure what it would be offering for sale.
As late as last night, the family of Sam’s founder Sam Sniderman was still deciding which items would be offered for sale. However, Miller added, about 97 per cent of what was in the store as recently as two weeks ago is going on the auction block, including an antique chair that was Sniderman's "throne," Miller said.
Amazingly, the retail part of the store will remain open for business on auction day.
"This is probably a first anywhere," Miller said, laughing. "There are still a lot of CDs to be sold."
The catalogue is now posted on the Benaco website:
http://www.benacosales.com/062707flyer.pdf
Sam The Record Man
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 @ 10:30am - Viewing: Tuesday, June 26, 12pm to 5pm
On Location: 347 Yonge St., Toronto, Ontario - Please enter off of Gould Street.
Green P parking at Yonge & Dundas or Take Subway to Dundas Station.
MEMORABILIA INCLUDING- 100+ AUTOGRAPHED PLAQUE MOUNTED POSTERS, FRAMED COMMEMORATIVE
GOLD & PLATINUM RECORDS AND CD’S & AUTOGRAPHED SLATWALL BY; TINA TURNER, STEVEN
TYLER, RAY CHARLES, BURTON CUMMINGS, *GORDON LIGHTFOOT*, BLUE RODEO, DAVID BOWIE, DAVE
MATTHEWS, BRYAN ADAMS, 10’ ELVIS AND 8’ PATSY CLINE PICS, AND MANY MORE!
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06-26-2007, 07:44 PM
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#3
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Moderator
Join Date: May 2000
Posts: 16,001
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the signs have been declared Heritage pieces by the city..
Heritage designation saves signs from Sam's
Other kitschy city sites
So the Sam's sign is a heritage property? Here are some other kitschy or otherwise memorable Toronto landmarks that might fit the same criteria:
• Honest Ed's marquee
• El Mocambo's palm tree
• Ye Olde Brunswick House *
• Tip Top Tailors *
• Zanzibar (jazz club turned strip club)
• Captain John's (boat-restaurant)
• Mars Restaurant (College St.) *
* Building already given heritage designation.
Sources: Star files, City of Toronto inventory of heritage properties
Jun 23, 2007 04:30 AM
Donovan Vincent
City Hall Bureau
The iconic Sam the Record Man sign has been saved from the auction block.
City hall politicians voted yesterday to designate the Yonge St. record store – set to close next Saturday – a heritage building, protecting the famous spinning discs.
The sign was set to be auctioned next Wednesday.
The Ontario Heritage Act doesn't allow signs to be saved for their heritage character, explained area Councillor Kyle Rae, so the city opted to protect the whole property.
The large neon discs, the two "Sam'' signs above and the backlit sign below will also be protected.
Since the closing of Sam's was announced last month, a movement emerged to protect the sign.
Rae, raised in Oakville, didn't understand the fuss at first: "I wasn't convinced in the beginning this was of any heritage significance."
But meeting with the city's Heritage Preservation Services staff, he learned how important Sam's was to many who grew up in Toronto.
"We'll sit down with the owner or future owners as the property is being sold, and we hope to be able to maintain the two discs and `Sam' signs on the rooftop as part of the ongoing history of Yonge St.,'' Rae said. Sam Sniderman's sons, Jason and Bobby, began operating the store as a new business in 2002 after the original store filed for bankruptcy and closed in late 2001.
Jason said that while the city's decision is "flattering'' for the family, maintaining the sign will take care and expense.
The city offers grants to preserve heritage properties.
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06-26-2007, 07:44 PM
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#4
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Moderator
Join Date: May 2000
Posts: 16,001
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the signs have been declared Heritage pieces by the city..
Heritage designation saves signs from Sam's
Other kitschy city sites
So the Sam's sign is a heritage property? Here are some other kitschy or otherwise memorable Toronto landmarks that might fit the same criteria:
• Honest Ed's marquee
• El Mocambo's palm tree
• Ye Olde Brunswick House *
• Tip Top Tailors *
• Zanzibar (jazz club turned strip club)
• Captain John's (boat-restaurant)
• Mars Restaurant (College St.) *
* Building already given heritage designation.
Sources: Star files, City of Toronto inventory of heritage properties
Jun 23, 2007 04:30 AM
Donovan Vincent
City Hall Bureau
The iconic Sam the Record Man sign has been saved from the auction block.
City hall politicians voted yesterday to designate the Yonge St. record store – set to close next Saturday – a heritage building, protecting the famous spinning discs.
The sign was set to be auctioned next Wednesday.
The Ontario Heritage Act doesn't allow signs to be saved for their heritage character, explained area Councillor Kyle Rae, so the city opted to protect the whole property.
The large neon discs, the two "Sam'' signs above and the backlit sign below will also be protected.
Since the closing of Sam's was announced last month, a movement emerged to protect the sign.
Rae, raised in Oakville, didn't understand the fuss at first: "I wasn't convinced in the beginning this was of any heritage significance."
But meeting with the city's Heritage Preservation Services staff, he learned how important Sam's was to many who grew up in Toronto.
"We'll sit down with the owner or future owners as the property is being sold, and we hope to be able to maintain the two discs and `Sam' signs on the rooftop as part of the ongoing history of Yonge St.,'' Rae said. Sam Sniderman's sons, Jason and Bobby, began operating the store as a new business in 2002 after the original store filed for bankruptcy and closed in late 2001.
Jason said that while the city's decision is "flattering'' for the family, maintaining the sign will take care and expense.
The city offers grants to preserve heritage properties.
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06-26-2007, 09:00 PM
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#5
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Moderator
Join Date: May 2000
Posts: 16,001
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pic of Gord and Sam taken at the store:
i have a pic of the wall with his and the bands signatures too..gotta find it..
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06-26-2007, 09:00 PM
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#6
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Moderator
Join Date: May 2000
Posts: 16,001
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pic of Gord and Sam taken at the store:
i have a pic of the wall with his and the bands signatures too..gotta find it..
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06-26-2007, 10:14 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Sherwood Forest, MD
Posts: 387
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Quote:
Originally posted by charlene:
pic of Gord and Sam taken at the store:
i have a pic of the wall with his and the bands signatures too..gotta find it..
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No Char, you gotta go bid on it! I find this just terribly sad. Sam's is the first place I visited in Toronto, I flew in that day, and had the taxi drop my suitcase off at a hotel,then take me straight there. GL was doing a rare cd signing, and it was the day that APPT was released. I can't express the excitement I felt that day, and walking into Sam's was almost surreal. I bought some cds, stood in line, and tried to remember every sight and sound even though I was on sensory overload!
Sam's was the place I got to shake GL's hand for the first time, the place where I met my first "invisible friend" and fellow Lighthead from the old AOL chat room, Plumbguru (Doug).
I will always have great memories of Sams, and managed to go in and drop quite a bit of money each and every time I've been in Toronto. It's almost impossible to imagine that area without it.
I wonder who will be lucky enough to get some of those great counters upstairs? I wish I could be there, I'd love to have something from there. At least I have pictures and memories, and a lot of cds!
Jenney
__________________
\"And the laughter came too easy for life to pass me by.\"
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06-26-2007, 10:14 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Rocky Hill, CT USA
Posts: 558
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Quote:
Originally posted by charlene:
pic of Gord and Sam taken at the store:
i have a pic of the wall with his and the bands signatures too..gotta find it..
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No Char, you gotta go bid on it! I find this just terribly sad. Sam's is the first place I visited in Toronto, I flew in that day, and had the taxi drop my suitcase off at a hotel,then take me straight there. GL was doing a rare cd signing, and it was the day that APPT was released. I can't express the excitement I felt that day, and walking into Sam's was almost surreal. I bought some cds, stood in line, and tried to remember every sight and sound even though I was on sensory overload!
Sam's was the place I got to shake GL's hand for the first time, the place where I met my first "invisible friend" and fellow Lighthead from the old AOL chat room, Plumbguru (Doug).
I will always have great memories of Sams, and managed to go in and drop quite a bit of money each and every time I've been in Toronto. It's almost impossible to imagine that area without it.
I wonder who will be lucky enough to get some of those great counters upstairs? I wish I could be there, I'd love to have something from there. At least I have pictures and memories, and a lot of cds!
Jenney
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06-27-2007, 06:12 AM
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#9
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Moderator
Join Date: May 2000
Posts: 16,001
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It is a sad day Jenney and I'll be watching the local news to see how the auction went.
I guess I started going to Sam's in the late 60's/early 70's..For a kid from the suburbs taking the bus and subway to Yonge St. was quite daring back then! For some summers the city even closed Yonge St. to vehicles! It was awesome. So many things to see and all the people walking around listening to street musicians and partying. It was certainly a very different atmosphere than now. I bought only some of my albums at Sam's but did spend a lot of time just walking around inside. There was a Sam's at a plaza near where we lived. One of the last Sam's around closed just a few years ago in a mall near where I live now.
For the last several years when I've had a room facing south down Yonge at the Delta for the Massey shows I loved to look out and see the signs just a block or so away..The city has changed so much from when I was a kid but it really has changed in the last 20 years. Sadly I don't think some of the changes have been for the good.
I'll be in Toronto this weekend but not sure if I'll make it over before Sams closes.
Maybe it's better that way.
If I do get over I'll snap some pics..
Maybe someone from EMP will buy the Lightfoot stuff for him while he's out of town.
I think the last thing I bought at Sam's was the new Ron Sexsmith CD a while back.
check www.torontosun.com and www.thestar.com and www.citynews.ca for coverage.
[ June 27, 2007, 06:29: Message edited by: charlene ]
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06-27-2007, 06:12 AM
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#10
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Moderator
Join Date: May 2000
Posts: 16,001
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It is a sad day Jenney and I'll be watching the local news to see how the auction went.
I guess I started going to Sam's in the late 60's/early 70's..For a kid from the suburbs taking the bus and subway to Yonge St. was quite daring back then! For some summers the city even closed Yonge St. to vehicles! It was awesome. So many things to see and all the people walking around listening to street musicians and partying. It was certainly a very different atmosphere than now. I bought only some of my albums at Sam's but did spend a lot of time just walking around inside. There was a Sam's at a plaza near where we lived. One of the last Sam's around closed just a few years ago in a mall near where I live now.
For the last several years when I've had a room facing south down Yonge at the Delta for the Massey shows I loved to look out and see the signs just a block or so away..The city has changed so much from when I was a kid but it really has changed in the last 20 years. Sadly I don't think some of the changes have been for the good.
I'll be in Toronto this weekend but not sure if I'll make it over before Sams closes.
Maybe it's better that way.
If I do get over I'll snap some pics..
Maybe someone from EMP will buy the Lightfoot stuff for him while he's out of town.
I think the last thing I bought at Sam's was the new Ron Sexsmith CD a while back.
check www.torontosun.com and www.thestar.com and www.citynews.ca for coverage.
[ June 27, 2007, 06:29: Message edited by: charlene ]
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06-27-2007, 06:39 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 6,862
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06-27-2007, 06:39 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 6,862
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06-27-2007, 09:29 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Northern California
Posts: 135
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Are you trying to torture those of us who don't live within shopping distance?!?  Probably best for my pocketbook it's so far away! Thanks for the shot! (I used to take pics all the time but don't so much anymore.)
__________________
DJ
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06-27-2007, 09:29 AM
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#16
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Are you trying to torture those of us who don't live within shopping distance?!? Probably best for my pocketbook it's so far away! Thanks for the shot! (I used to take pics all the time but don't so much anymore.)
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06-27-2007, 11:19 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 1,519
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Jen, I bought my very first Gord LP from Sam's when I was there in the 70s. I spent hours on my knees upstairs, searching through hundreds of albums. I would return on a daily pilgrimage.
I find the loss of 'Sam the Record Man' really upsetting. I'm a traditionalist, I hate for things to change. I hate that Sam's will be no longer. Yonge Street will not seem like Yonge Street without that store.
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06-27-2007, 08:17 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Ontario, CA
Posts: 260
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[quote]Originally posted by Jenney:
Quote:
GL was doing a rare cd signing, and it was the day that APPT was released. I can't express the excitement I felt that day, and walking into Sam's was almost surreal. I bought some cds, stood in line, and tried to remember every sight and sound even though I was on sensory overload!
Sam's was the place I got to shake GL's hand for the first time, the place where I met my first "invisible friend" and fellow Lighthead from the old AOL chat room, Plumbguru (Doug).
I will always have great memories of Sams
Jenney
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__________________
Doug "When love is true.....there is no truer occupation"
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06-27-2007, 08:32 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Ontario, CA
Posts: 260
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Quote:
Originally posted by Jenney:
GL was doing a rare cd signing, and it was the day that APPT was released. I can't express the excitement I felt that day, and walking into Sam's was almost surreal. I bought some cds, stood in line, and tried to remember every sight and sound even though I was on sensory overload!
Sam's was the place I got to shake GL's hand for the first time, the place where I met my first "invisible friend" and fellow Lighthead from the old AOL chat room, Plumbguru (Doug).
I will always have great memories of Sams
Jenney
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Yes that was quite a day. I still remember waking up at Niagra Falls and rushing to Toronto with Special Sgent "Beautiful". Turning onto Yonge street and seeing Sams. I was stunned that I'd made it at all and ahead of schedule.
Standing in line with other fans, Dan Davis, Mike, and Ron Sexsmith, each of us jacked-up about as high as we could be. Hearing the first sounds of APPT be played over the PA. And waiting for my first opportunity to meet our BARD. Then seeing he and Barry H and Rick walk in. The media had TV cameras all over the place so it was not just us nutty fans who were excited.
Agent "Beautiful" and I were waiting for Jenny to arrive and let me tell you she has her own unique way to greet a star. Later we made our way to Massey Hall. The doors were unlocked so we 'snuck" in to a sound check, only to be asked to leave the premises post haste.
Ah what a day!! The whole Kirk household is saddened
__________________
Doug "When love is true.....there is no truer occupation"
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06-29-2007, 09:43 AM
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#20
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Moderator
Join Date: May 2000
Posts: 16,001
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06-29-2007, 09:43 AM
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#21
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Moderator
Join Date: May 2000
Posts: 16,001
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06-29-2007, 01:59 PM
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#22
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 83
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This sure a sad news item for me. There's so much nostalgia attached to that store. When I lived in Toronto I loved taking the whole day and going downtown and doing the complete scene and spending a good part of the time in that store. Sam was an up front guy and always there to "entertain" his customers. I bought all my Lightfoot albums there and I was always assured that a week or so later after the release of an album, the corresponding Lightfoot Songbook would be available in A&A Records next door. It's definitely the end of yet another era. Guess my final visit was last November when we all were in town for the Massey concerts. In a way it kind of relates to Gord's "Ballad of the Yarmouth Castle" with all those lyrics talking about moaring and crying like a child and finally slipping through the waves. This is too much. Thanks. Ron J.
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06-29-2007, 04:50 PM
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#23
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Sad news for me Ron. Sam's has always been my first stop after checking into the Delta. I am listening to Ian Tyson/Lost Herd as I am writing this; one of many treasures bought there. I have many CDs from there that would not have been available in London, never mind Norwich. I still have a few of their multi-coloured CD carrier bags. I think I'll treasure them also!
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06-29-2007, 04:50 PM
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#24
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Norwich, UK
Posts: 18
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Sad news for me Ron. Sam's has always been my first stop after checking into the Delta. I am listening to Ian Tyson/Lost Herd as I am writing this; one of many treasures bought there. I have many CDs from there that would not have been available in London, never mind Norwich. I still have a few of their multi-coloured CD carrier bags. I think I'll treasure them also!
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06-29-2007, 05:43 PM
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#25
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 671
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So, did anyone here manage to snare any of the Lightfoot goodies?? I was gonna go, but couldn't make it in the end.
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