It’s 8:30 on a Saturday morning, the middle of April, and four friends arrived early for a little camp out in anticipation for what was to come later that day, when the doors open at Cosmic Dave’s Vinyl Emporium on Kathleen Street, in the heart of the “People’s Republic of the Donovan” (He sells shirts with this phrase printed on the chest, seriously).
Today is Record Store Day and these four friends, Bree, Noah, Aarden, and Nicole (all the way from distant Sturgeon in her case) are the first in line to participate in a ritual going back to the beginning of record stores. The hunt for that elusive vinyl treasure.
For those wondering, Record Store Day was conceived in 2007 as a way to celebrate and spread the word about the unique culture surrounding independently-owned brick-and-mortar record stores around the world. The first Record Store Day took place on April 19, 2008.
A lineup has slowly been forming behind them and its sheer size, by the time of this writer’s arrival at 11 a.m., proves as Bree (who is sitting on the step of Cosmic Dave’s at the time) stated, that even in the face of online forces which have been steering the listeners ear toward streaming services, “the desire for physical media is still there.”
Some of those in line are here in search of nostalgia (I’m here for Fleetwood Mac and Corey Hart records, to be truthful) while others, like Noah, are here to get “staple pieces” (I hope you were able to get all eight LPs you were looking for).
They all agreed the personal touch of in-person shopping at brick and mortar stores, especially coupled with, as Nicole puts it, the desire to support local small businesses will remain ever-present. And, it is these reasons, along with the search for an elusive “grail” to add to one’s collection, that had nearly 75 people (I counted) lined up on this early spring day.
As the noon hour arrives and the doors to Cosmic Dave’s open for the first 20 customers in line, we are instantly transported back in time and standing in front of us is Tony Anselmo, welcoming us to embark on a vinyl voyage back in time to rediscover the memories of Sudbury’s favourite record stores.
Now, before we go onto your memories, I do have one mea culpa to add, due to a comment left by a reader. After perusing the previous column, Vicki Thurlow asked, “What about Prom Music???”
Unfortunately, my own experience with Prom was as a consumer of musical instruments (circa mid-1990s) and, in fact, I had no idea that they once sold records as well.
For more than four decades, beginning in 1951, Prom Music Centre was located at 36 Elgin St. North, first operating only on the main level before expanding into the lower level, which at one time housed Journal Printing. It was founded by Tom Pugliese and Kazimir Foys, before becoming wholly operated by the Pugliese family.
In an interview with Northern Life in 1984, manager Wayne Pugliese stated that he felt that the lack of music stores in Sudbury in the late 1940s created the perfect opening for a business like Prom Music to open its doors.
"There wasn't much back then,” said Pugliese, who noted that 45s came up only by the handful on a train from Toronto. "There was a time you couldn't get anything in music."
Eventually, the store got out of the recorded music game, focusing solely on instruments, before moving to a new location, the Club Alouette building on King Street in the Flour Mill (Interestingly, the business is now another music store, Long & McQuade.)
But, let’s get back to your regularly scheduled memories …
For a lot of our readers, reminiscing about record stores at first brought about a discussion to try to pinpoint the locations of all of the stores across the Sudbury area (especially, within the City Centre, due to the number of music businesses that existed within its walls).
Irmelin Emily Theriault recalls that “where the food court is (now) was where Circle of Sound was.” While Vanessa Mariga remembers that “A&A records was across from the fountain.” And, Mike Toth remembers “Off The Record (eventually) moved across from Eaton’s in the mid-90s and (later) became Music World.”
Former Sudburian and history aficionado Bruce Bell, in one of his many musings about growing up in Sudbury, once wrote specifically about his musical memories of the downtown.
“I loved the Woolworth’s store that at one time stood on the southeast corner of Elm and Durham,” he wrote. “It was the very centre of downtown Sudbury, a real landmark. (But) what I remember most about it, was its famous record department. It was here many of us who grew up in the 1960s bought our first Jefferson Airplane and Beatles albums, but more importantly we got to talk to like-minded music lovers.”
For some of our readers, the pursuit of happiness in a record store bin consumed a lot of their time and the majority of their money during their youth.
Dan Oeschler commented that “between A&A and good old Records on Wheels, they account for pretty much my entire vinyl collection.” And, added together created “great memories for sure.”
Meanwhile, Steve Ripley “was in Joe’s (Sanchioni) store (Off the Record) every week for two years buying the latest tunes.” Geoffrey Lee began his journey during his time at Ryerson University (now called Toronto Metropolitan University) from 1974 to 1981, which amounted to “about an album a week” while, he added, “my siblings who were in Sudbury followed the same pattern.” He concluded that he believes that “these were great times to buy music.”
Lest we think that this sentiment rested solely in the vinyl days, as the compact disc became ubiquitous in the 1990s and into the early 2000s, the search for an excellent album to spin continued unabated for Sudbury youth.
In reference to the store Off the Record, Patrick Smith wrote that between “(this) store and Records on Wheels, I blew all my early employment money in those stores. I bought my Pearl Jam ‘Vitalogy’ LP from (this) store, when it was released on vinyl a week before the album was released on CD back in 1994.“
This writer’s journey as a music store consumer began no differently than where I find myself today, standing amongst a long line filled with other like-minded people waiting to be allowed into their favourite store. Mine was Sam The Record Man in the New Sudbury Centre, and not a single Boxing Day would go by where you wouldn’t find me standing there clutching my multiple gift certificates (all hand printed/stamped by the staff).
Reader Angèle Phoenix’s go-to music store was the third of four different franchises to exist within the same space as Sam’s at the New Sudbury Centre. “(HMV) was my favourite store as a teen. I'd always get something each time I’d go to the mall.”
Some of our readers were first introduced to new genres and groups (sometimes existing completely beyond their normal comfort zone) via their exposure within the confines of their favourite record store.
Adam Spindler, in reference to A&M Records, “remember(s) this shop well. (As it was) my first introduction to many bands like Procol Harum, ZZ Top, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, also some jazz, like Charlie Mingus, Thelonius Monk.” While a little closer to the present (and across town), Travis Lausch remembers Sam The Record Man and is “pretty sure this is where I bought my first Rush, Tool, and Dream Theater CDs back in the day!”
Aaron Mason also remembers Sam’s, though his most vivid recollections are more on the sensory side as he has retained “memories of the floor and the smell (as weird as that sounds).”
And, speaking of smells, Deke Lanson misses Sam the Record Man the most out of all of the local shops. “I frequented (the) location at the Southridge Mall a lot in the ’80s,” he wrote, adding that the premier souvenirs he retains from that time are “the smell of new records and (excitement of) looking through the LP's.” Unfortunately, he laments that “young people today don't know what they missed.”
For Dan Zembrzycki, even though his recollections come from the early days when Tony Anselmo parked his bus next to the tracks on Elm Street, he still holds an association similar to Deke’s above. The most potent remembrance is captured in the memory of “buying a new album and tearing open the plastic wrap. That new album plastic smell.”
Now, when it comes to Records on Wheels and its owner Tony Anselmo, I’m sure I could have written an entire book encapsulating all of the responses full of effusive praise. Because, as reader Doug Logan wrote, “everyone of my generation bought records from Tony (and) Records on Wheels.”
Melanie MacRae concurred with this assessment stating (while dropping the generational aspect) that plainly stated “EVERYONE went there,” and it was her preferred location where she “purchased many an album or 45.” (adding cheekily, “yep (I’m) that old”).
One shopper, as Records on Wheels’ business was winding down in 2013, perfectly encapsulated many peoples’ (and many of our readers’) reasons for frequenting a brick and mortar record shop in general. This shopper, who had been buying music from Anselmo for almost 30 years stated that it is not only about the in-store selection, but he also appreciated the knowledge that he had “about the weird and wonderful stuff on the shelves.”
He added, as well, if “Tony had it … he could talk to you a little about it."
Upon the passing of many of our readers’ “pied piper of the record store”, in 2023, local musician Stef Paquette wrote about the threefold symbiotic influence of recorded music, the record store and its owner in an emotional online post.
“Records On Wheels was more than just a record store; it was a place of musical discovery, a sanctuary where melodies and rhythms merged with our souls,” he wrote.
“As a teen, I remember the thrill of walking into Records On Wheels with my hard-earned money, filled with anticipation and excitement. Tony made every visit an experience to cherish. He not only served as a purveyor of music but also as a trusted advisor, recommending albums and artists that would become the soundtrack to my life.
“It was through his guidance that I discovered the power of music to shape my emotions, my perspectives, and my very identity.
“In an era where music consumption has become digital and impersonal, Records On Wheels remained an oasis of tangible connection. The records I purchased there became more than just objects; they became vessels that transported me to different eras, emotions, and memories.”
Lisa Cummings, who spent much time in her youth frequenting the Supermall, regrets being unable to find pictures of the Sam the Record Man store (among her vast collection of Supermall photos) as it played an important part in her musical upbringing.
As she reminisced, “I bought all of my music there in the ’80s. I loved buying my music there. I remember even being able to buy cassettes with one or two singles on it,” to which she added that she “absolutely loved that place.”
Another reader who frequented Sam’s when it was located at the Supermall recalls how different musical celebrities would stop in to the store as part of promotional tours in order to meet fans and sign autographs. Erin Healey “remember(s) when Honeymoon Suite (in their prime) and JD Roberts from MuchMusic were there signing autographs.” And, to her amazement at the time, “their hair was bigger than mine.”
Unlike many of our readers who frequented (and preferred to reminisce about) traditional record stores, Elizabeth Seguin recalls that she bought her first 45 at Kresge’s. And, even though Doug Logan claimed above that everyone bought records from Tony, he “also bought records in the City Centre Bonimart store, at Eatons and Woolworths.” Adding that “Melody Music had nice classical music records” as well.
Similarly, Jill Marion “remember(s) going downstairs at Prom Music and going through the albums they had. Found some very interesting, unique and one-of-a-kind albums.” Like many conscientious record collectors, she “still has some to this day (as) I kept real good care of them.”
Not only did we receive comments from consumers, but some store staff also reminisced about the great times that were spent slinging vinyl (and later CDs) to the masses.
Caelan Lee worked at Circle of Sound in the City Centre (across from Drug City) for 10 years. She proclaims that it was the “best job ever, always busy, especially weekends and Christmas.” Reader Lorie Lukey McKillop concurred on that point, adding that “it was so packed in there on Saturdays!!” And, even all these years later, Caelan still remembers the managers at the store, “First manager Donna (and) second manager Marie Harris. I worked there with Marie for 10 years.”
Now to close this column out, one of our readers, Mr. L. Lemieux sent us a bit of an encapsulation of the record store industry in Sudbury through the years as he lived it, or as the email was aptly titled, “Record store musings from many moons ago....”
“I remember dropping into Melody Music’s first location on upper Durham in the early ’60s hunting for 45s, my record preference at the time (quoting a famous bluesman, “The little “’rekkid’ with the big hole”). I think I had a crush on Phyllis, one of the sales folks behind the counter. I picked up many a 45 from that lovely lady.
“I recall in the early 1960s when browsing the 45 record delete bin on the lower floor (of Prom Music), my excitement of finding, finally, ‘Whispering Bells’ by the Del-Vikings. I had been searching for that platter for weeks. Sudbury record stores, during this time, would only receive a limited number of hit records, be it 45 or LP. If the initial order sold out, which often happened, chances were good it would be some time, if ever, one would see a particular record again.
“Another little known record store in Sudbury was Recyled Records at 61 Elgin St., not far from Prom Music. Al McQuistin was the owner and the store’s forte were used, or more aptly put, pre-enjoyed records.
“I also worked the record bar at Woolworth’s in the late ’60s and early ’70s and had first pick at collectible 45s and LPs. I remember picking up the 45 “Lindy Lou” by Kenny and The Be Bops, a rock-a-billy band out of North Bay. I wish I had bought them all as it is now highly sought after.”
While most well-known record stores in Sudbury have long shuttered, there are several pop-up record events and two major happenings each year. One of which is upcoming and will showcase thousands of vinyl from local and out-of-town sellers. This show is slated for May 24, at the Days Inn on Brady.
Well dear readers, we’ve reached the end, the inner groove of your LP where some groups would hide a special message (or if you are The Beatles, a bunch of random sounds). So it is that I leave you now with the words of local recording artist Dayv Poulin when he was interviewed in December 2013 upon the impending closure of Records on Wheels.
"It's magical, it's fun," he said. "It's the unplanned purchase where you come in and you browse, and you find something that really calls out to you. That's what's fun about having shops like this." And, as Mr. Lemieux ended his email, “Long live vinyl!”
See you back here in two weeks for another trip down Memory Lane. See you at Cosmic Dave’s.
Jason Marcon is a writer and history enthusiast in Greater Sudbury. He runs the Coniston Historical Group and the Sudbury Then and Now Facebook page. Memory Lane is made possible by our Community Leaders Program.