Saying goodbye to Sam “The Record Man” Sniderman

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Earlier this week, Sam “The Record Man” Sniderman passed away at the age of 92, and since then, the legendary music supporter and business man has been remembered for everything he did for the music industry in Canada.

For anyone over the age of 25, it’s hard to understate the importance of Sam The Record Man, both the store and the man. It’s also fair to say that music in Canada would not be what it is today if it wasn’t for his support.

I grew up listening to tapes and CDs, and Sam The Record Man was one of my direct connections to that world of music. It’s hard to imagine not being able to just download a song these days, but even just ten years ago, music stores were the lifeblood of music, and Sam The Record Man on Yonge Street in Toronto was like the last great house of music.

For me, it’s impossible even to think of Yonge Street without remembering the iconic spinning records that marked Sam The Record Man as the ultimate music destination in this city, and one of Toronto’s most admired monuments to our love of music.

Beyond that though, as Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages said in a statement this week, “Mr. Sniderman was a keen fan of Canadian music and a strong advocate for Canadian content broadcast regulations and the creation of the Juno Awards.”

Through his work for Canadian music, he was invested into the Order of Canada on October 20, 1976, which was “in recognition of founding the Recordings Archive Library at the University of Toronto, now the largest of its kind in Canada,” Moore revealed in the statement.

But, although most people will admire him for his achievements, I think Toronto’s love for Sniderman will always come back to that store on Yonge Street. Sam The Record Man helped shape and build people’s love of music, and for me, that will always be how I remember him.

Photo courtesy of Rabblefish.