Massey Hall History
1930’s – 1980’s
In 1892, industrial baron Hart Massey (1823-96) bought land at Shuter and Victoria Streets and hired architect Sidney Badgley to design a memorial to his son Charles Albert Massey. Massey intended his "gift to aid in the development of the arts" to be "an auditorium -- spacious, substantial and comfortable, where public meetings, conventions, musical and other entertainments, etc., could be given."
Massey Hall soon became internationally famous as Canada's most important venue for concerts and lectures, attracting many of the world's leading celebrities; it also hosted weddings, movies, boxing matches, beauty contests, religious and political rallies, typing contests and chess tournaments. Declared a "heritage" building during the 1970s, Massey Hall remains a vital part of Toronto's cultural and entertainment scene.
October 27, 1931
Ernest MacMillan conducts his first concert as Music Director of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, a post he would hold until 1956.
1933
The Hall undergoes major renovations; seating is reduced from 3,500 to 2,765; a new lounge is created behind the first gallery; the ground floor entrance area is enlarged; the aging, flammable wooden stairs are replaced with stone and steel; a new colour scheme and Art Deco touches give the Hall a new look.
January 19, 1934
George Gershwin appears as soloist in his Rhapsody in Blue and Concerto in F.
1943
Flooding destroys all of Massey Hall's records, photographs and playbills.
May 1946
Within weeks of each other, pianists Oscar Peterson and the 13-year-old Glenn Gould make their Massey Hall debuts.
1948
Concerns over fire safety lead to the installation of concrete under the stage and ground floor seating.
May 15, 1953
Legendary jazz concert; jazz immortals Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell, Charles Mingus and Max Roach play together for the only time in their lives.
1955
A large chunk of plaster falls from the ceiling while the Hall is empty; the entire ceiling is replastered and reinforced with a strong wire mesh to hold it in place.
1965
Bob Dylan receives cheers from an overflowing house until he outrages musical purists during the concert's second half when he and his Canadian backup group (later known as The Band) go electric.
1967
Gordon Lightfoot begins a long series of annual concerts that will lead to the most solo appearances at the Hall of any performer.
1969
Conductor Seiji Ozawa ends a five-year run of leading the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
June 20, 1973
On recommendation of the Toronto Historical Board, the City of Toronto names Massey Hall on its first-ever list of "heritage" sites.
December 9, 1973
Luciano Pavarotti makes his Toronto debut before a packed house, despite a top ticket price of $50, a new record for the Hall.
February 21, 1974
Maria Callas and Giuseppe Di Stefano sing arias and duets as part of their farewell world tour.
November 18, 1974
"Dream Concert of the Decade"; two separate performances of Wagner's Die Walküre, Act 1.
1975
The Hall is booked for an entire week for the making of a film about Bob Dylan that is never released.
June 11 - 13, 1976
Canadian rock trio Rush record their first live album at Massey Hall. This incredible double live album would go on to sell over 1,000,000 copies.
1977
Carol Pope of the musical group Rough Trade and 300-pound female impersonator Divine present Restless Underwear.
June 4, 1982
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra plays its last concert before moving to Roy Thomson Hall.
September 2, 1989
Cats runs for over 7 months, a Massey Hall record.
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