Advertisement

Culture

Check out where Elton John and other iconic artists have recorded music in Toronto on a Yonge Street walking tour

Whether you’re a born-and-raised Torontonian, a newbie to the city, or stopping in for the weekend, anyone can benefit from a historical walking tour to learn a thing or two. 

This Sunday, Sept. 10 at 10a.m., a pay-what-you-can music and pop culture walking tour is taking place on Yonge Street, where participants will hit 17 spots of music-making history—from Motown, to Hip Hop, to Rock and Roll, and more. 

A SNEAK PEAK OF THE TOUR 

The tour kicks off at the Masonic Temple at 888 Yonge Street—the iconic concert hall which Frank Sinatra reportedly used to rent for private parties, and where the Rolling Stones used to hold summer rehearsals for many years. 

The tour will then head South, down Yonge, to visit the Eastern Sound Studio where music has been recorded by legendary Canadian and international artists, including Elton John. 

As the tour continues, participants will follow the tour guide, a self-proclaimed local expert and author, Mark Vendramini, and learn about:

  • The CAA Theatre, where American punk rock band The Ramones launched Toronto’s punk movement in 1976 
  • Toronto’s hub for hard rock and metal, the former site of The Gasworks 
  • The St. Charles Tavern Clock Tower 
  • Two massive murals which depict Toronto’s music history 
  • Where The Beatles met Sgt. Pepper, who inspired their eighth studio album, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” 
  • The original site of Club Bluenote, a bar where legendary jazz artists perform 
  • The “Ground Zero” for Toronto’s music scene, Yonge and Dundas 
  • Performing arts theatre Massey Hall. 
  • Friar’s music and history museum 

The tour is set to finish around 1p.m. at the corner of Yonge and Queen streets. 

Advertisement

Exclusive content and events straight to your inbox

Subscribe to our Newsletter

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By signing up, I agree to receive emails from Now Toronto and to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

Recently Posted