The photo was taken twenty years before this area of Toronto was transformed into Yonge-Dundas Square. It was always a happening place–ideal for the type of photography I was into, and just steps away from Ryerson. I like the figure up on the scaffolding–a man doing his work, but taking a few minutes to survey the scene. I wish I could have been up there with him, where, in the words of Gord Downie, “we get to feel small from high up above.”
From the series: Toronto in the 1980s
In my Ryerson days in the 1980s, I spent a lot of time in Sam the Record Man, as well as other record stores on the Yonge Street strip–A&A, Peter Dunn’s Vinyl Museum, Records on Wheels. Information about artists and recordings was not so easy to come by in those days and a lot of it came from reading liner notes. A lot of pleasurable browsing was involved before parting with five dollars. And, of course, I couldn’t wait to put it on my Dual turntable, through the Akai amp and Bose speakers. It was a kind of magic that wasn’t instantaneous (like today). It took a few hours and was well worth it–as I sat back afterwards and listened to The Grateful Dead’s American Beauty.
From the Flickr album: Toronto in the 1980s
In 2003 this space became Yonge-Dundas Square – an effort by the city to create a version of New York’s Times Square. But twenty yeas earlier, when this photo was taken, it was a parking lot. There was a lot more open space in the city back then. also fewer cars, and fewer people. I was on my way to classes at Ryerson and climbed a fire escape to get this image. These days it would require a drone, or a cherry picker.
From the book: Toronto Flashback (1980-1986) – available through Blurb Books, and Amazon.
The famous Spadina bus (77B) is visible in the photo. Check out the Shuffle Demons with their 1986 hit that was a fitting tribute to this bus:
From the book Toronto Days. You can preview, and buy it here:
http://www.blurb.ca/b/8537132-toronto-days
With all of the bad things going on in the world, there are also plenty of good things happening. I’m trying my best to be optimistic and stay positive. Many of us flip through hundreds of photos a day, giving them the merest glance. I’m asking you to linger on this one a little longer, and think kind thoughts.