They actually showed the FOG BOWL on TV. All you could see is a white screen and a bit of movement on the old B&W TV screens.

CNE stadium was the location of my first job back in '78, the 2nd year of Blue Jays baseball.Still in high school me and my best friend got a job working at the stadium for Versa Services (the concession providers) I also got my brother to work there. We started off working in the concession stands cooking Knockwursts and Footlong Hotdogs. Later on we would be the ones on motorized carts supplying all stands with product before the game. We worked football games, baseball games and all concerts Saw "Hotel California" concert in '78 and everyshow you could think of. Styx, Supertramp, The Who Queen, Genesis.... and on.

@user-qv2ur2bw3z

Жыл бұрын

I remember the Versa uniforms you guys had to wear brown and yellow.

GREAT! memorYYZ!!!! Tanx for all your history of our city dude!!!!

@OldTorontoSeries

Ай бұрын

You bet

I remember going to twilight double-headers in the early 80's. We'd be freezing by end of night but loving every minute...

Please do a posting on the STOCK CAR races at the 1/3 mile track in front of the stadium. I went there most Saturdays in the 1970s. Fantastic motor racing.

@relic69

2 жыл бұрын

Not to forget the single 1990 season of Bud Stocks. Politicaly shut down over 'noise' complaints. Independent testing demonstrated the street car loop and train tracks were much louder when tested by Dufferin Gates.

My favorite time at the Grand Stand was when I saw Queen, (The Game Tour), second row floor on John Deacon's side. Snuck in a 110 camera and have lost those photo's to this day. Also saw Dio, (Mobs Rules Tour). Had nose bleed seats and snuck down to the center (Black seat section) and saw the show without getting kicked out. It was so loud that my ears are still ringing to this day. Great memories. Thanks for posting.

It was all about the WWF Big Event for me

Bowie in 1983, the night he reunited with Spider from Mars Mick Ronson for a song.

Saw Genesis in Sept. '86. Good concert! Also saw a couple of Blizzard games. South African Jomo Sono was the star of that team. Thanks for the upload. Enjoyed it :)

@OldTorontoSeries

3 жыл бұрын

With Phil singing then? Classic.

@deand7280

2 жыл бұрын

@@OldTorontoSeries Yes Phil was there as well as Tony and Mike. Chester Thompson (drums) and Darryl Sturmer (lead guitar). Invisible Touch tour. Everyone was awesome !!

@bskinny9009

Жыл бұрын

Sono and Bettega.

August 20th 1974 Evel Knievel with his son Robbie RIP. Lighthouse opened the show. We snuck behind the stage to get a better view for the jump.😄

Billy Idol 1984. Wow. Hahaha! Seems like lifetimes ago. Being back in Toronto after couple decades it looks like a totally different city. Miss a lot the character of the ol' days. Thank you for the nostalgia down memory lane. Speaking of lanes...Twilight Zone...

Saw Supertramp, AC/DC-Metallica-GNR, Burton Cummings there. Worked at the Canada Dry pop booth across from the Grandstand one summer. The Osmonds were performing there one night and the Dad came to our booth to get some C+ pop.

Great video! Keep them coming

@OldTorontoSeries

3 жыл бұрын

More to come!

Saw Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, The Honeydrippers, Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, The Who and several other bands there - all amazing shows. Joe Jackson opened for The Who and was booed off the stage; people were throwing all kinds of food and garbage at him... He didn't deserve that, but I never really cared for his music. Widely circulated rumour beforehand was that The Clash was opening for The Who (which would've been AMAZING), but we got Joe Jackson instead. I guess everyone was pretty bummed out about that. Unfortunately, I never saw any sports events there though oddly enough. Thank you for posting - just subscribed to your Channel.

My brother and I went to The Big Event, great show but what crappy weather for an August night!

Sunday September 13th 1992, the Guns N’ Roses / Metallica stadium tour. It was bittersweet for me. Living in Ottawa at the time, we were hoping to see the show at Olympic Stadium on Saturday August 8th. At the Montreal show, the Metallica set was cut short for obvious and acceptable reasons as James Hetfield suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns in a pyrotechnics mishap during the Fade to Black intro. Then there was a long delay for Guns to start and after Civil War (9th song), their set was cut short and Axl walked off the stage citing monitor problems. I was 17 at the time and getting caught in the ensuing riot was really scary. But wanting sweet, sweet redemption, we got tickets to the Toronto show. Worth every penny plus additional travel costs. The highlights for me was the first Metallica encore ending with One and not having played Enter Sandman meant a second encore! They indeed played Enter Sandman for their second encore! Guns highlight has to be November rain. We got home on Monday morning and went straight to school (hungover for good measure) as we promised our parents that we would be in school the Monday following the show if they let us go and take their car.

Awesome research, vintage material and... love the presentation. Sorry too many stories and memories to even try such a list. Ok, just one, stock car racing in the 50's. (Bud Stocks 1990).

@OldTorontoSeries

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks again!

I was there for the Jays record setting 10 home run game against the Orioles in 1988. Speaking of BB records and such don't forget the first time ever a game was called on account of wind was at the EX! Big Jim Clancy started that game and could not keep from getting blown off the mound. When the sun set and the wind blew in from the lake with that awful damp air it was a misery. Damn those aluminum benches were just the worst.

Seen Pink Floyd x4, The Who and The Stones. I wasn't happy I couldn't get the time off work to see Cooper. Thanked my boss the next day. lol A couple of hundred Jays games, easy. Went to a few Argo's games too. 83' Eastern Final against the Ticats , kicked ass. Lot's of great memories. Wish they hadn't torn it down.

You forgot to mention the the stadium didn't sell beer until 1982, 5 years after the Jays started playing there. What's even weirder is at the the team was owned by Labatt's, a beer company.

@user-qv2ur2bw3z

Жыл бұрын

Ontario liquor laws back then and are still behind the times

As a kid we would watch the Argo games from the Shell Tower overlooking the CNE. Saw first Jays game there in 77, use to bring our own beer to games in a brief case as security would never check it. Concerts with a 🍉 full of vodka, those were the days

@danielupsdell2697

Жыл бұрын

We use to do that here in Vancouver at old empire as well when bc place first opened in 1983 - 85 then security started checking everyone’s bag

@user-qv2ur2bw3z

Жыл бұрын

I remember those days no beer at the ball park in the early days cause of the liquors laws in Ontario back then I was just a kid I remember my Uncle and Aunt from California going with us to a game and no beer my Uncle couldn't believe it they didn't serve beer.

Great piece! In 1982 I saw(one show), Nash the slash, J Geils band, Heart and the Who. Gret afternoon at stadium.

@daviddinu1089

Жыл бұрын

I have that t-shirt till this day. J.Geils, Heart & The Who. Kept all of them even though they don't fit anymore.

I remember going down with three friends to a game and the seagulls went 3 for 4 against us that day.

Love your honest ed posters. I actually had lunch with him a few times wonderful man. I just found your channel and love it! New Subscriber :) so much great content to catch up on "):)

@OldTorontoSeries

2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Thank you!

@iwantthe80sback59

2 жыл бұрын

Never had lunch with him but used to go to Ed’s Warehouse for lunch with the girls on Fridays in the summer and Ed would swing by some of the tables and say hi, or are you enjoying your meal. I remember they used to have extra suit jackets and ties when you came in just in case the men weren’t dressed properly:). I really miss Ed’s Warehouse. And those lunches with the girls.

First Blue Jay game with my Dad. I remember walking through the tunnel and seeing the emerald green astro turf - it was amazing. It was so cold on those metal bleachers and with the wind off the lake, Dad bought me hot chocolate to keep me warm. Great day.

@user-qv2ur2bw3z

Жыл бұрын

Oh yeah those benches were down the first base line in the second level till the outfield then they were all benches. the Best seats were the north grandstand it was covered and had wood seats then got replaced with decent plastic ones we stayed dry in the cheap seats while the expensive ones had every body running for cover.

My dad took my to the first year the supercross moved to the Dome (89). I was more interested in seeing the roof move than the races, and I love motocross.

Saw Pink Floyd in ‘94 and the Jackson 5. Miss that place. Have yet to set foot in BMO field. It appears to have very little charm.

Aug 18,1993: Neil Young with openers Blues Traveler, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. Crazy concert and loud as hell.

@416Taxman

2 жыл бұрын

Saw Neil Young there in Sep 1987. I was impressed that it was NOT loud at all, unlike other rock concerts, plus he took an intermission half way. I had seen the Cult there a week earlier. Now that was loud. Guns and Roses were the opening act and we were booing them so the Cult could come on stage. Who knew of the success GnR would later have. Other concerts attended at Grandstand: Rolling Stones 1989, Pink Floyd 1987, Robert Plant 1985, The Who 1980, Queen 1980 and the Bay City Roller in 1977 (I was 13 years old then). All were good times. 😎

I remember it for many things, Donny Osmond, Hell Drivers, Monkeys, ELO. But mostly I remember having chairs thrown at me as I was on the stage as an IATSE stage hand when Alice Cooper did not show. That was a bad night and I suffered a few cuts and bruises. Alice owes me. lol

@travisazzopardi5383

3 жыл бұрын

I was there too and escaped unscathed! Lol! Wild night!

Good job.

Remember the days when the Minnesota Twins played at Metropolitan Stadium during the Rod Carew and Harmon Killebrew days before the Metrodome came into existence in 1982. That was natural grass back then and as of the 2010 season, the Twins play in Target Field which is Kentucky bluegrass and outdoors. Imagine if the Toronto Blue Jays will ever have an outdoor baseball only stadium with natural grass. That is much better than playing on artificial turf like those dreadful days at Exhibition Stadium.

The 1907 version of the stadium was built by my great grandfather's company and I watched the flames of it burning in 1947 from the third floor window of our home.

@OldTorontoSeries

3 жыл бұрын

Neat. Many places burned down during that era.

I only ever saw baseball games there. At one time, the Pizza Pizza chain used to give away free Blue Jays tickets, I think, with a purchase. I believe, sometimes, they just gave away the tickets, especially when they were same day tickets that would otherwise go to waste. Blue Jays tickets came in handy during the Ex as that meant free admission to the Ex in order to get to the game. The tickets were general admission seats behind the right field fence the one time I went to a game with some friends during the Ex. Nobody could see the action at the other end, so the rowdy crowd took to heckling the opposing team's player in right field and on that occasion it was future Blue Jay and then New York Yankee Dave Winfield. The memories I have of other times sitting in the right field bleachers are: sore butt from the hard aluminum seats, sore back because there was no backrest, freezing when it was windy, sunburn when it was hot and legs falling asleep because the sharp corners of the benches would cut off your circulation. Rose-coloured memories?

Blizzard, Grey Cup, Jays, MJ, Rick Emmett & Kim Mitchell.

Love your work, but must take umbrage to “when Toronto’s team is winning “! It should be it or when😊. Love your work !

@OldTorontoSeries

Ай бұрын

Fingers crossed!

I used to work for the food vendor - Versa Foods back in 1988.

Saw the Who there in the early 80s. The Guess Who a few times in the 70s to boot. Can’t remember how many Jays games.

1979 Johnny Cash Toronto's CNE Grandstand

U2 ZooTV tour, my first concert.

Was lucky enough to see Pink Floyd there in 1994. Greatest concert tour anywhere. Saw my first concert there in 91, Guns N' Roses. with Skid Row opening. Seeing Paul McCartney there was a special treat, but the least favourite was the Eagles during the Hell Freezes Over tour. 11 days after Pink Floyd, they had the most stripped down basic stage set-up. Quite a contrast between the two shows. They opened with Hotel California, and played nothing but their solo stuff during second half.

Was there in 85 for the Jay's clinching the east for the first time saw many concerts there in the 80s during the EX. Good old Exorcism Stadium so frigging cold in April and September watching the Jay's play. Who can forget the Alice Cooper riot there in the 80s as well. Dominion Stores use sell general admission tickets for .50 cents back in the late 70s and early 80s Jr. Jays games from Mc Donald's Jr, Jay's game they had the Mc Donalds home run hitter if that player hit a home run you got a coupon for a free regular hamburger and you had a card that would be stamped once it was full you got free small fries great time there as a kid.

My first time was a day at the ex with my parents and then Johnny Cash, I was around nine. Later on with friends got to see the Beach Boy, Fleetwood Mac, AD/DC twice, Pink Floyd and a few Jays games, But hung around outside and listened to quite a few concerts including the Who.

@travisazzopardi5383

3 жыл бұрын

We’d climb onto the roof of the Better Living Building across the street from the stadium and I can’t count how many concerts I saw from up there. First time we did it was for a ELO concert in 78.

@imannonymous7707

2 жыл бұрын

@@travisazzopardi5383 cool, theres a movie called festival express, when janis joplin, the band , the grateful dead and buddy guy played there, the dead put a free show on a trailer out back of the grandstand , its a pretty cool flick

The 1982 Grey Cup lead to the construction of the Skydome

I saw a blue jay game innaugriel year , got rained out but got a rain check. My grandma took me, she was the biggest fan i ever knew. I have always been curious about varsity stadium . I used to take coffee breaks there as a bike courier. Anyone could just stroll in there by that time and it was torn down soon after. Hmm, I wonder if you have made a video of varsity

Neil Young Pearl Jam and Sound garden. Miss that place despite the fact it was awful.

@BuySellBeHappy

3 жыл бұрын

That was a GREAT show! Think Blues Traveller was on the bill also. Remember people storming the field in waves?

@ryanbuttaro1346

3 жыл бұрын

I do remember that. I was one of those people!

Fr me it was a concert the who , heart, j Geils band and nash the slash. Also u2 and David bowie. But biggest for me was Pink Floyd.

I was at "The Big Event" and froze my butt off on what was probably the coldest August night in Toronto history.

Michael Jackson and The Big Event

I remember as a kid being in the Grandstand in the 1960's during the CNE seeing 2 guys fly around the field in jet packs. I though that by the time I grew up that would be the standard way of getting around :-) I also remember a great ethnic music and dance show back then during the CNE with Ukrainians, Lithuanians, Poles, Hungarians and many others . I believe it was called "Nation Builders" or something similar.

The artificial surface installed in 1972 was in fact Tartan Turf by 3M.

love ir

Any chance you could do a video on the Junction Triangle?

@OldTorontoSeries

3 жыл бұрын

We have a video up about the Junction, checkout the Channel main page!

Driven by BMO field that is it from BC Have our own stadium BC Place built in 1983

I went to over 100 Blue Jays games and a few Argos games, saw Pink Floyd, David Bowie, The Cure and U2, but I can not remember anything about the concourse, concessions stands or washrooms??

1982 Olivia Newton John. Physical Tour.

Pink Floyd Division Bell 1994 😊

Stock car races

@dCaddyshk

Жыл бұрын

The Hell Drivers too!

To the best of my recollection I believe I was at the final event inside exhibition Stadium which was the WWF Wrestling show August 24th 1996 if somebody is aware of an event after this date or what was the actual last event inside exhibition Stadium please correct me but like I said to the best of my recollection this was the final event inside exhibition Stadium

casa loma

So the alteration to accommodate a baseball alignment ruined Exhibition Stadium, and the alteration to a baseball-only alignment ruined the (all-purpose, publicly-funded and never should have been sold) Dome. Seems to be a pattern here.

Conredge Hollaway QB'ing the Argos vs. Warren Moon and the Eskimos. Too many good memories that led to the Grey Cup 1983. Stop putting CNE Exhibition stadium down. It wasnt the Stadium, it was the events and the place to be.

Saw all kinds of concerts and Blue Jay games there. Good fun but the place was a dump.

Easy, Pink Floyd

Great video but as a former Torontonian, the place was a disaster and wasn't beloved by anyone I ever knew.

@OldTorontoSeries

Ай бұрын

100%

The doubleheader vs the Yankees in '84 where the jays swept.

You did not mention the stock car racing that took place there as well in different decades.

FW Mac

The WHO

An embarrassing eyesore

The lack of inclusion of the CNE stadiums football history in this video is disappointing. While an unpleasing in many ways the EX history is football is far more significant

Worst stadium in the history of the world.