Keep an eye on the wall of the 22-storey building at 423 Yonge St. for a gigantic mural celebrating Toronto’s music heritage.
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After the success of the first mural on the north side of the building another tribute will be painted on the entire face of the south wall to show appreciation for the music culture built up over the years along the Yonge St. strip.
“These murals are dazzling sights to celebrate amazing sounds,” says Downtown Yonge BIA Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director Mark Garner, who heads the group responsible for business development in the area and the group that commissioned the mural. “They are a stunning visual reminder of the long, vibrant history of music in Downtown Yonge.”
The first mural featured images from the 1950s and ‘60s. The new fresco also celebrates music legends from that era, augmented by 1970s and ‘80s stars. Luminaries to grace the second mural include musicians from jazz, blues, soul and multiple forms of rock, including; The Band, David Clayton-Thomas, Rush, GODDO, Carole Pope, Kim Mitchell, Salome Bey and Lonnie Johnson. Marquees from landmark Toronto music venues will fill out the scene, including the Brown Derby Tavern, Gasworks, Piccadilly Tube and A&A Records.
Artist Adrian Hayles, who created the first mural, has begun work on the new 70-metre-tall artwork, which is expected to take two to three months to complete.
“Great cities all over the world have murals as part of their public realm. We think the music mural fits perfectly with the vision for a vibrant Yonge St. – combining visual and musical artistry,” Garner says.
The mural officially launched on Aug. 17 after an event at the entrance of McGill Parkette, near the site, featuring Garner, Kristyn Wong-Tam, City Councillor, Ward 27, Nicholas Jennings, Toronto music historian, columnist and producer, and some of the faces that will appear on the wall.
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