Sam Sniderman the man himself “Sam The Record Man”

On my fall walk at Mt. Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery, Toronto, I came across the grave of Sam Sniderman — better known to many as “Sam The Record Man,” the iconic face of Canadian music retail.

Sam was a powerhouse in promoting Canadian music. He was instrumental in advocating for the Canadian content (CANCON) broadcast regulations, which ensured homegrown artists got the airtime they deserved, and played a key role in creating the Juno Awards, which continue to celebrate Canadian musical talent today.

Raised in Kensington Market, Sam attended Harbord Collegiate, the same school as luminaries like Morley Safer, David Cronenberg, and Wayne and Shuster — a remarkable cohort.

Harbord Collegiate, Toronto.

In 1961, he opened the now-legendary Sam The Record Man store at 347 Yonge Street, which by 1969 had grown to 130 stores nationwide — a testament to his vision and business acumen.

Sam’s greatest gift was his uncanny ability to find the most obscure records — those self-financed basement and garage recordings by unknown bands. No matter how rare the request, Sam would often disappear for a few minutes and return clutching the sought-after album. He once said, “Sometimes I got stumped. But more often than not, you could ask me for the most obscure record on the planet and I would disappear for a few minutes and come back with it in my hands.”

A symbol of Toronto’s vibrant music scene, the iconic Sam The Record Man sign was purchased by Ryerson University for $150,000. It was carefully dismantled piece by piece before the store’s demolition and now proudly adorns the university’s Victoria Street building.

Sam Sniderman passed away in Toronto on September 23, 2012, at the age of 92.

1920-2012