Remember The Masonic Temple/Concert Hall in Toronto
It’s still there on the corner of Yonge and Davenport, equidistant from both the Bloor and Rosedale subway stops, but its days as a music venue ended long ago. But when it was around, Toronto’s Masonic Temple–known for years to music fans as The Concert Hall and The Rockpile before that–hosted some amazing shows on its main floor. Yes, the backstage was cramped. Yes, the bathrooms were tiny. And yes, rivers of sweat and condensation would run down the walls, even on the coldest February days. But damn, it was a cool place to see a show.
Cameron at Completely Ignored offers this look back at some of the bands who played the old place. Click on the graphic to see the whole thing. Meanwhile, what do you remember at the Concert Hall?
That list of artists would make the most amazing music festival ever.
The Concert Hall is still my favorite venue. Steve Earle (the chart shows it as 1992-1998, but I swear it was 1989), STP w/mighty mighty bosstones, Tool, Foo Fighters.
Wish I was aware of some of these other shows before they happened!!
Jane’s Addiction, Cocteau Twins, lots of Skinny Puppy, and The Art of Noise.
The Pogues with a very sauced Shane MacGowen
I saw Stevie Ray Vaughan at the Concert Hall 1984 or 1985 for the Couldn’t Stand the Weather tour, there is no listing for him being there. It was so hot in there, he played about 9 songs and left. Can anyone confirm the date? Ive been trying to find my ticket stub, but I guess I threw it out years ago.
Hey Larry Deacon. I’ve got the Stevie Ray Vaughn ticket stub in front of me.It was Tuesday August 14 1984 8:pm. $13.50 with tax. Yes it was soooo hot in there that night. That certainly was memorable. But so were the nine or so songs.
Saw The Hip open for Midnight Oil. You can’t even imagine a very young Gord Downie’s hyper energy, complementing Peter Garrett’s equally insane hyper energy too! It was an amazing night in the best venue Toronto ever had for rock music – ever.
The Hip were the opener for Midnight Oil? 1986? I remember that concert but have no memory of the opener!! Amazing.
I attended many great shows there. Stevie Ray Vaughn, Steel Pulse, Gregory Isaacs, Motorhead & Slayer,
Chili Peppers, Danzig, and Ice Tea.
I saw,Stevir Ray there as well, can’t remember date but I think 85 is right
THanks for the clue – 1986 – I’ve been trying to remember the year. We showed up too late – thinking the concert started later, like they do in bars – lots of beers at the
Morrisey Tavern, across the street : )) – maybe caught 2 Hip songs – what a mistake that was!!!!! : )))