Sad news today for Canadian music fans- Sam Sniderman, the
founder of Canada’s legendary Sam the Record Man music store, has died.
He was 92.A release issued today says Mr. Sniderman passed away peacefully in his sleep Sunday, surrounded by loved ones, in Toronto.
Mr. Sniderman opened his flagship store on Toronto’s Yonge
Street in 1959. The iconic store closed
in 2007, seven years after he retired.
It was this very store, with its huge flashing red neon record signs
that beckoned music lovers to discover its secrets within. I cannot even begin to tell you of the many
pilgrimages I made to that store (and the many others he opened) to find some
rare piece of vinyl or CD. But even more
than that, this was a place that gave me my musical education. An appreciation for something I value above
so much else even today. I’m pretty sure
the same can be said for countless others too.
These stores were hallowed ground and Sam preached the gospel to everyone
who passed through the doors. For that I
have the vision of that amazing entrepreneur to thank.
Mr. Sniderman was a member of the Order of Canada, an
inductee of the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame and the Canadian Country
Music Hall of Fame. Sam was a major
promoter of Canadian music. He also received a Governor General award and
Honorary doctorates from Ryerson University and the University of Prince Edward
Island.
Mr. Sniderman and his
brother, Sid opened a small store on College Street in Toronto in 1937 and
together they built a chain of Sam the Record Man stores that spanned the
country.
The family says a service will be held Tuesday, September
25th, and that an October Memorial Service will be announced.
Rest in peace Sam, I owe you the world.
