What happened to Toronto's music scene?

There's been a concern over the last few years that live music venues in Toronto are a dying breed. Lindsay Dunn spoke to Greg Godovitz, who played in the band Goddo, about what it was like to play music in this city during its musical heyday.

[@karlhildon8477]

The final death knell began tolling when smoking was banned. Even non-smokers can’t deny that.

[@TheWholigans]

Greg is spot on, we could fill clubs 'any' day of the week, all in Toronto.
Those were great days.

[@jeremythornton433]

It's really sad. I've played in many of the old clubs but they're all gone now. Even the little bars are now gone. On the rare occasion that you can find a rock gig, the place is usually tiny and the pay is almost non existent. Between the changes like ethnicity and DJs, live rock is almost completely dead here in Toronto. My old rock bar at Vic PArk and Ellesmere is now an Indian resteraunt. Now don't get me wrong. I love Indian food but I miss the rock bar setting much much more. I think it just got to expensive for many bar owners which is why they went with DJs and karaoke.

[@drumtravelfun]

Eh, this happened to Vancouver many years ago, that's why it has the name "No Fun City". Apparently, Vancouver needs more overpriced condos. RIP-The Town Pump, Cruel Elephant, Starfish Room, Richards on Richards, 86 Street, on and on it goes. Don't turn into us Toronto, protect your live venues.

[@monicapushkin3274]

This is not just about changes in music, it is about changes in EVERYTHING in society. Not the least of which is the corrupt inflation of real estate.

[@waaj23]

Title should be “What happened to Toronto’s Rock music scene” not Toronto’s Music scene.

[@edwardbliss8931]

Looks like coronavirus is the final nail in the coffin

[@cornstar1253]

No, actually, the government overreaction to it was.

[@TheShpmusic]

We only focus on drake and not the rest of artists.👈👀

[@psychedlicsouljam1995]

I feel really bad for the young generation. They dont get to really experience things. Too much fake and simulation in this world. The 90s kids got the tail end of the grunge era and its sad to see it fade away completely, the only way you can share your music projects nowadays is on Spotify, TH-cam, and if your lucky maybe 100 people at a local show and even that is hard to find.

[@Rockmachine99]

The Millennials killed Rock.

[@lalakuma9]

That's true.
But prog metal is getting really exciting these days, can't complain about that.

[@thereforeayam]

Plant more live music clubs seeds than unhappy camper seeds. Is cloning an option

[@TheShpmusic]

No entrainement here.just work n pay d bills.👈👀

[@markwilson3026]

Because someone can make "so called music" in the basement now and we need more condos apparently.

[@nataliehelferty1438]

The King and I the Queen are still willing to play in Toronto on Our Royal Land but the Scuzzy Venues need to go. They were bad enough in the 70s when We got to Toronto. Now after nearly 50 years they are way too Seedy. The Toronto Music Scene is happening in a World Above by the King. I am left out as the Queen as I am dealing with Mob Hits on Me all the time. So the Guys need to keep Rockin without Me. I run all the Hollywood Entertainment Empire but have to deal with the British Mob taking over all the time and I keep them at bay as best as I can so the Guys as Toronto Rockers can keep playing. Natalie Helferty of Journey in the 80s with the King Rob Donovan. God will create Toronto much better once the End Times are done in 2024. We need a revamping of Toronto...big time.

[@katherine9109]

WHAT are you babbling about..?

[@CousinMarvin]

the city killed it not the bands. now alot of these places are turning into condos or stores

[@kevinleblanc47]

lets see Cable tv, Satelite, and then the internet. Video killed the radio stars and the internet killed the rest along with other driving/alcohol and smoking laws

[@truenorthstrong4935]

Diversity killed Toronto's live music scene. Diversity only likes music with d.j.s because they don't like to look at anything but their phones and then stabbing or shooting each other in the parking lot or street in front of the club. Some of the downtown rock clubs were rough but no one ever got knifed or shot to death, only diversity likes this and is integral to the entertainment.

[@katherine9109]

silly talk.
two simple things killed the scene:
greed
and old age.
proprietors wanted to retire. or died.
and there's more money in selling downtown property to developers - and alot less physical labour involved -
so younger family members weren't interested in taking the reins...

[@stephen9609]

Rock is dead. Nirvana may have saved rock from the hair metal of the 80s but it ultimately killed it for good

[@thereforeayam]

...more, please, in what way...interesting comment...

[@katherine9109]

you're wrong about that. as are many others.
I know so many young people who love rock - and play it..!!! they're so envious of us old folks who enjoyed it for 3 decades.
(yup. that's all. just 30 years...)
now, almost the only rock they can see live is old folks at arenas for hundreds of dollars..!!!
and there's absolutely nowhere in Toronto where young bands, just starting out, can play.
"just starting out"
ha! starting out to go where..?
sad.
and attitudes like yours are a big part of the problem.

[@JaysonT975]

we realized rock music sucks

[@unknownninja4430]

No, then an overflow of ethnics came in, who prefer their jungle-noise ethnic music, since they are not compateble to the west.

[@cornstar1253]

Yah it does. It all started sounding the same. It's like big band was in the 60s, almost gone and just a memory for old people.