By Alex HudsonSam Sniderman, the Canadian music industry veteran who founded the music chain Sam the Record Man, died peacefully in his sleep on Sunday (September 23). He was 92.
Although only one Sam the Record Man location is still open (in Belleville, ON), the chain once had locations across the country and was one of Canada's most iconic music retailers. Sniderman retired in 2000, and his flagship store in Toronto subsequently closed in 2007. Ryerson University took over the building and has since promised to preserve the instantly recognizable sign.
Sniderman's honours included receiving the Order of Canada and being inducted into both the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame and the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.
Family friend Brian Robertson said in a statement, "Sam was the last of the great Canadian showmen that were able to establish themselves as household names purely through the force of their personality. He was a mentor to literally hundreds of Canadian artists and musicians, and the Yonge Street record store and Sam's presence there was the centre of the Canadian music industry's universe for over three decades."
I'll never forget going to the Yonge St. store when I was growing up. Sam would always be right inside the door shaking hands and welcoming people. Hard to believe how much things have changed in the retail music industry over the years.
