In the lower level of Massey Hall you’ll find ‘Centuries,’ a fully-stocked bar you can visit pre-show and at intermission of most performances. The room is filled with artefacts illustrating the admirable history of Massey Hall, perhaps most notably the “Decade Panels” that line the entrance corridor to ‘Centuries.’ Starting with 1894-1904, a panel is present for each decade since Massey Hall opened. The panels feature news articles, photographs, programmes and other paraphernalia that aim to give a slice of life at Massey Hall from that period in history. In this column, we look at each decade and highlight some of the items included in these panels. Of course, for a more in-depth look, next time you’re at Massey for a show, head on over to ‘Centuries’ and check them out. This week, we take a look at 1964 – 1973, the eighth in a series of eleven tributes to Massey Hall’s glorious history.
Massey Hall 1964 – 1973
This decade panel perfectly represents the true turning point both in popular music in general and at Massey Hall specifically.
Folk music is clearly in the forefront of the Toronto scene. Many performances during this time were from now-legendary folk stars such as Stompin’ Tom Connors, Ian and Sylvia, Anne Murray, Cat Stevens, and James Taylor (who we just saw perform on the Oscars). Joni Mitchell “captivate[d] a packed Massey Hall” and Neil Young performed his epic 1971 concert which recently became available as audio and video recordings.Bob Dylan performed a now legendary concert which allegedly received both “Cheers” for the first act and then “jeers” when he and his band went electric. His band for the performance was none other than Levon Helm and the Hawks (worth noting: Levon returns to Massey Hall this June with his Ramble.) Said backing band for Dylan would go on to become none other than The Band, who would perform on Massey’s stage later in this decade.
Other genres also found a home on Massey Hall’s stage. Jazz, Blues and R&B fans were able to choose from a concert by Ray Charles and the “Little Stevie Wonder Show” (featuring the “13 year old blind genius at the drums, organ, piano, bongos & harmonica.”) Rock fans would have been delighted by a Moody Blues performance. Torontonians also had opportunities to see The Smothers Brothers, The Amazing Kreskin, Ravi Shankar, Bruce Cockburn, and Miriam Makeba.
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir continue to make appearances on Shuter Street but there change is ahead for these groups in this decade. Here emerge conversations of a “New Massey Hall.” Newspaper articles about this shift adorn this Decade Panel, hinting at what was to come. One reads:
“A new Massey Hall is being planned for downtown Toronto.
After a six-month study by a consultant, a special committee investigating the project has endorsed the conclusions of the study: that the present 73-year-old hall is nearly obsolete and beyond hope of modernization or expansion.”
Papers reported that Massey Hall’s “days appear numbered” and called for a “warm outpouring of support.” We know now, of course, that Massey Hall stood the test of time and while “New Massey Hall” would indeed be built as Roy Thomson Hall over on King Street, nothing could take down the Grand Old Lady of Shuter Street.
Stefania Paterak is the Programming Coordinator for Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall.
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