Yonge Street: Toronto Rock & Roll Stories
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About
Before Barenaked Ladies, Broken Social Scene and Rush rose from Toronto's music scene, there was Rompin' Ronnie Hawkins, Robbie Robertson and Gordon Lightfoot making a name for themselves on Yonge Street. This three-part documentary reveals the history of how Toronto's main drag became the leading destination for singers, musicians and music fans not only in the city but across Canada as well. It began in the mid-1950s and flourished until the early '70s, and in between such artists as David Clayton-Thomas, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Levon Helm, Led Zeppelin and Jeff Beck performed on Yonge Street. In addition to archival audio and video footage, featured interviewees include Hawkins, Robertson, Lightfoot, music producer Daniel Lanois and festival promoter John Brower.
Seasons
Episodes
Miniseries
1955-1960
Rumour has it that in sleepy 1950s Toronto they used to roll up the sidewalks when the sun went down. There was no rock 'n' roll or R&B music until the fateful day when Arkansas wildmen Ronnie Hawkins and Levon Helm pulled up in front of Le Coq d'Or Tavern and unleashed the "devil's music" on unsuspecting Toronto. Travelling back to those colourful days, Part 1 reveals the city's appetite for the popular and rebellious new sounds reaching up from the border. Between the exodus of African American performers like Curley Bridges and Mouse Johnson to Toronto, and Elvis performing at Maple Leaf Gardens, a whole generation of young local performers like Ronnie Robertson and Bobby Dean Blackburn were inspired to begin making their names on the flourishing Yonge Street strip.
1960-1965
By the early 1960s, the Toronto music scene spilled into Yorkville. Folk music began to thrive and young performers like Gordon Lightfoot, Ian and Sylvia Tyson, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell found a home. But Yonge Street was still the headquarters of the more raucous, wild rock 'n' roll bands. Part 2 sees Robbie Robertson, and The Hawks, create a distinctive guitar style that became synonymous with the "Toronto" sound. Then, as the Toronto music scene exploded, white bands were soon jamming with black musicians, heavily influenced by R&B and creating a distinct new sound all their own.
1965-1970
By the mid-60s, Yorkville had become the mecca for folk music until Dylan went electric and everything changed. Clubs for rock 'n' roll and psychedelic music became part of the same lineup as the folk music of coffeehouses. Artists like Neil Young, Rick James and The Myna Birds, John Kay and The Sparrow, John & Lee & the Checkmates, and The Paupers were all big names playing the Yorkville clubs, but Canadians didn't have the airtime support needed to sustain them. Toronto musicians had outgrown Toronto, so they left to find fame and fortune in the U.S. The Rock Pile, at 888 Yonge Street (now CTV's Masonic Temple studios and home of MTV) became a focal point for great bands like Led Zeppelin, The Who, Jeff Beck, and Frank Zappa on their pit stops to Toronto. Finally, Part 3 looks at the early '70s and how the proliferation of strip clubs drove the final nail in the coffin of the Yonge Street music scene.
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About Yonge Street: Toronto Rock & Roll Stories
Before Barenaked Ladies, Broken Social Scene and Rush rose from Toronto's music scene, there was Rompin' Ronnie Hawkins, Robbie Robertson and Gordon Lightfoot making a name for themselves on Yonge Street. This three-part documentary reveals the history of how Toronto's main drag became the leading destination for singers, musicians and music fans not only in the city but across Canada as well. It began in the mid-1950s and flourished until the early '70s, and in between such artists as David Clayton-Thomas, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Levon Helm, Led Zeppelin and Jeff Beck performed on Yonge Street. In addition to archival audio and video footage, featured interviewees include Hawkins, Robertson, Lightfoot, music producer Daniel Lanois and festival promoter John Brower. Across 1 season and 3 episodes, originally airing on bravo.
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▶ Watch Yonge Street: Toronto Rock & Roll Stories NowWhy People Are Watching Yonge Street: Toronto Rock & Roll Stories
Yonge Street: Toronto Rock & Roll Stories flies under the radar but it deserves your attention. What makes it work is a tone and style that's hard to find elsewhere. If you enjoy English storytelling that doesn't follow the same tired beats, this is the kind of show you'll end up recommending to friends.
Frequently Asked Questions about Yonge Street: Toronto Rock & Roll Stories
Where can I watch Yonge Street: Toronto Rock & Roll Stories online for free?
You can watch Yonge Street: Toronto Rock & Roll Stories online free on Bowood.TV. Just open the page and hit play — no signup, no subscription, full HD streaming on phone, tablet, or desktop.
How many episodes does Yonge Street: Toronto Rock & Roll Stories have?
Yonge Street: Toronto Rock & Roll Stories has 3 episodes across 1 season. All episodes are available to stream right here on Bowood.TV.
Is Yonge Street: Toronto Rock & Roll Stories good? What's the rating?
Yonge Street: Toronto Rock & Roll Stories holds a 0.0/10 rating based on 0 reviews — a niche pick worth checking out.
Is Yonge Street: Toronto Rock & Roll Stories available in English?
Yes — Yonge Street: Toronto Rock & Roll Stories was originally produced in English and that's the version you'll stream here on Bowood.TV.
When was Yonge Street: Toronto Rock & Roll Stories released?
Yonge Street: Toronto Rock & Roll Stories first aired in 2011.
Do I need an account to watch Yonge Street: Toronto Rock & Roll Stories on Bowood.TV?
No. Bowood.TV is free and you can watch Yonge Street: Toronto Rock & Roll Stories without creating an account. Sign-up is optional — only useful if you want a personal Watchlist or to comment on episodes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch Yonge Street: Toronto Rock & Roll Stories for free?
You can watch Yonge Street: Toronto Rock & Roll Stories online for free on Bowood.TV. All 3 episodes across 1 season are available to stream in HD without a subscription, signup, or paywall. Just open the show page and press play.
How many seasons and episodes does Yonge Street: Toronto Rock & Roll Stories have?
Yonge Street: Toronto Rock & Roll Stories currently has 1 season and a total of 3 episodes. The series status is "Ended", so the episode count may grow as new seasons are released. You can browse the full episode list on Bowood.TV and continue watching from where you left off.
What is Yonge Street: Toronto Rock & Roll Stories about?
Before Barenaked Ladies, Broken Social Scene and Rush rose from Toronto's music scene, there was Rompin' Ronnie Hawkins, Robbie Robertson and Gordon Lightfoot making a name for themselves on Yonge Street. This three-part documentary reveals the history of how Toronto's main drag became the leading destination for si… It belongs to the Documentary genre.
In which language is Yonge Street: Toronto Rock & Roll Stories originally available?
Yonge Street: Toronto Rock & Roll Stories was originally produced in English. On Bowood.TV the show is available in its original English audio, which is the most authentic way to experience the dialogue, music, and performances. Check the player options on the watch page for available subtitle tracks.
When was Yonge Street: Toronto Rock & Roll Stories first released?
Yonge Street: Toronto Rock & Roll Stories first premiered on March 21, 2011 (2011). The series has since concluded its run.
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