Gordon Lightfoot Forums - View Single Post - Yorkville-The Purple Onion-folk music scene

lighthead2toe · 07-17-2015, 12:41 PM

Lots of nostalgia for me in this one Char.

I feel very lucky to have been part of that wonderful era.

The Riverboat was my favorite spot to go although the others were special in their own way as well. I was on the mailing list for the Riverboat and would receive their flyer regularly with a list of the upcoming artists and they all put on great shows.

I kept one as a souvenir for many years but it eventually disappeared with all the moving etc.

Bernie would empty the "Boat" after an each performance as there always a huge line up outside waiting tor the next show. It was a coffeehouse with no liquor license so it would have to "stay afloat" somehow I guess.

Toronto in those days was high on law and order and clearly wasn't ready for the "big folking scare" that suddenly came on so the police were patrolling regularly and no "gathering" was tolerated. You always had to be "moving on."

I still go there from time to time for a walk through the area and reflect back on those days, seeing all those wonderful entertainers, many who are still with us and still out there performing.

Gord is of course at the very top of the list.

07-17-2015, 12:41 PM	#4
lighthead2toe Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canada Posts: 920	Re: Yorkville-The Purple Onion-folk music scene Lots of nostalgia for me in this one Char. I feel very lucky to have been part of that wonderful era. The Riverboat was my favorite spot to go although the others were special in their own way as well. I was on the mailing list for the Riverboat and would receive their flyer regularly with a list of the upcoming artists and they all put on great shows. I kept one as a souvenir for many years but it eventually disappeared with all the moving etc. Bernie would empty the "Boat" after an each performance as there always a huge line up outside waiting tor the next show. It was a coffeehouse with no liquor license so it would have to "stay afloat" somehow I guess. Toronto in those days was high on law and order and clearly wasn't ready for the "big folking scare" that suddenly came on so the police were patrolling regularly and no "gathering" was tolerated. You always had to be "moving on." I still go there from time to time for a walk through the area and reflect back on those days, seeing all those wonderful entertainers, many who are still with us and still out there performing. Gord is of course at the very top of the list.