ICONIC VENUE MASSEY HALL CELEBRATES 130th ANNIVERSARY
MAYOR OLIVIA CHOW & MEMBERS OF TORONTO CITY COUNCIL HONOUR MASSEY HALL'S 130-YEAR LEGACY
FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2024
TORONTO, ON
(TORONTO – June 14, 2024) – Today marks Massey Hall’s 130th anniversary and this morning, Mayor Olivia Chow & Toronto City Council honoured the National Historic Site’s immeasurable cultural impact with a celebratory scroll to commemorate this milestone occasion.
Massey Hall opened on June 14, 1894, when prominent industrialist and philanthropist Hart Massey commissioned architect Sidney R. Badgley to design a memorial to his music-loving son, Charles Albert Massey as a gift to the citizens of Toronto.
Today Massey Hall continues to honour Hart Massey’s vision and operates as a charitable not-for-profit organization and supports the arts through its programming, Education & Community Outreach and Artist Development initiatives.
These Massey Hall mission-driven initiatives are generously supported by the contribution of live music fans, corporations and foundations throughout Canada. For more information about Massey Hall supporters or how to donate, visit the Massey Hall supporters web page. As part of Massey Hall’s 130th anniversary celebrations, live music fans have a chance to be part of music history and leave their mark in the legendary Allan Slaight Auditorium with a seat dedication for a loved one or themselves. A limited number of seat dedications are still available. Visit the Seat Dedication Campaign webpage for more information.
For those Massey Hall fans who want a piece of history to take home, past favourites and new 130th merchandise are now available in the Massey Hall merch shop. All proceeds support Massey Hall’s Education & Community Outreach and Artist Development programs.
From its inaugural concert in 1894 featuring The Grand Festival Orchestra under the baton of esteemed conductor Frederick Torrington to the present day, Massey Hall has remained a pinnacle of excellence in the global music scene. Over the past 130 years, this iconic venue has hosted a galaxy of musical luminaries, including Enrico Caruso, Oscar Petersen, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, RUSH, Ella Fitzgerald, Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Marley, U2, The Tragically Hip, Aretha Franklin, and Neil Young, among many others.
Continuing its tradition of showcasing both the world's biggest names and Canada's brightest talents, Massey Hall remains at the forefront of live music. Recent performances by acclaimed artists such as The Weeknd, Olivia Rodrigo, Feist, Nick Cave, Jon Batiste, Diana Krall, Blue Rodeo, Buddy Guy, Harry Styles, Mustafa, Janelle Monáe, Wilco, Barenaked Ladies, Herbie Hancock, Charlotte Day Wilson, and countless others have solidified its status as a premier destination for unforgettable live experiences.
Just last month, Massey Hall played host to one such magical live event with Celebrating Gordon Lightfoot, a multi-artist tribute in honour of the legend who performed at the historic hall over 170 times. The evening featured an incredible all-star cast of musicians backed by The Lightfoot Band and Blue Rodeo. The evening was capped with a surprise and rare appearance by Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson from RUSH who brought the house down and made international headlines with a rendition of one of Lightfoot’s classics, “The Way I Feel”.
Photo Credit: Simon Tanenbaum
“Then, just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, suddenly a couple of guys named Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson strolled out onstage to join Blue Rodeo for a robust “The Way I Feel,” with Lee adding some powerfully intricate bass that no doubt would have impressed Lightfoot.”
- The Toronto Star
“Gordon Lightfoot's legacy was ringing through the rafters at Massey Hall as old friends, close family and a generation of young talent united to pay tribute to the Canadian troubadour.”
- The Canadian Press
“The kind, generous and sometimes political spirit of Lightfoot, who performed the most at Massey Hall at a whopping 170-plus times, was most definitely in the house.”
- The Toronto Sun
“Star-studded Gordon Lightfoot tribute concert at Massey Hall was a fitting homage to a legend.”
- The Globe & Mail
Music fans should stay tuned to Massey Hall social accounts as 130th anniversary celebrations continue over the next year with incredible Massey Hall Moments that will be revealed, featuring exclusive live photos, concert posters, artifacts and more. Follow Massey Hall on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to stay up to date on all the celebrations.
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ABOUT MASSEY HALL:Massey Hall is one of Canada’s most revered cultural institutions and a designated National Historic Site. Built in 1894 by Hart Massey, Massey Hall was gifted to the citizens of Toronto and now operates as a charitable not-for-profit organization. Remaining true to Massey’s vision, the organization devotes much of its focus to artist development, community outreach, and educational programming.
ABOUT ALLIED MUSIC CENTRE:
Allied Music Centre is Canada’s new state-of-the-art cultural ecosystem with four venues devoted to live music, artist development, community outreach, and educational programming. Established in 2021 as part of the Massey Hall Revitalization Project, Allied Music Centre includes Massey Hall with it’s remarkably restored Allan Slaight Auditorium and the Muskoka Spirits Basement Bar, TD Music Hall, opening soon, a 150-capacity community theatre. Plus, Allied Music Centre is home to The Deane Cameron Recording Studio and creative edit suites for the world’s top musicians, emerging artists and community groups alike. Creative opportunities abound at Allied Music Centre.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Mima Agozzino
Communications Manager
Mima.Agozzino@mh-rth.com
M: 416-568-9653
60 Simcoe St, Toronto, ON M5J 2H5