So sad to learn it's closed now,...Glad I got to go at least once back in early 1996 on our 8th grade class trip to Toronto. This was the most memorable event for me out of the entire trip!! Thanks For Posting!!
Loved this place when I was little and lived in Canada in the 80's! Thank you for posting this and bringing back great memories! I didn't know it closed down! :(
Thanks for the posting. I remember going there frequently when Lance Luce, Don Thompson, David Lobban and Ashley Miller - all of whom were talented and unique musicians. It's too bad it had to close....it was great fun. I'll always remember "Spoon Time" - where The Entertainer was played and the people would slam the rhythm on the table tops - much to the distress of the staff, but it was part of the song.
Does anyone know the opening/closing dates of the Organ Grinders in Toronto and Vancouver, the rank/manual numbers for them, and the brand of organ? I've found zero about Vancouver, and all I know about this one is in the video - that being what looks like a Marr & Colton console.
@JonasClark - Toronto opened in the spring of 1975 and I worked there from 75 to March 1978 when I transferred to the one in Vancouver. Vancouver closed in 1980. The owner at that time can be found by googling
Mongo, there were I believe about 4-5 Featured Organists and a bunch of Associate ones that performed there over the years, starting with Don Thompson, then Craig Stevens, Lance Luce and then myself for the last 5 years we were open. The organ was sold to be moved to another restaurant in Harrisburg, PA, but that also closed down shortly afterward and the organ was broken up and sold again for parts.
@Donman67 Yeah, you did a great job with doing the Phantom of the Opera. I did have a little chuckle as you gave the warning to those who were sitting closer to the organ.
This place brings back some good memories. The last time I was there was probably around 1992 or 1993. The organist did a great version of "I Will Always Love You" along with a medley of Disney movie tunes and Billy Joel's "Lullaby" and "River of Dreams". Not to mention countless times the "Happy Birthday Song" was played. Though it was sad to walk by when walking past this place to catch my train to see that it had closed.
brings back memories....I was for a short time an associate organist there at the Toronto Organ Grinder when Don thompson was the featured organist, along with Bill Hagy (who I filled in for for several weeks when he went to help open the short-lived OG in St. Louis, MO) and Colin Cousins also played there weekends.
Went here with my high school band on our spring trip freshman year. I remember being blown away by the organists performance of 'hello goodbye' by the beatles. I also remember them not being ready for us when we arrived, so we had 30 min of free time. Myself and about 7 others ran to the stadium and CN tower... i got a hard rock cafe t-shirt. Good memories.
Oh my god... hahaha this place was the best... thanks for posting this... i went here every time i visted my aunt and grandma in toronto... looks just like i remembered it
I remember the one in Denver, CO. What a shame it had to close back in I believe in 1988. We had many B-day parties there. It's hard to find fun places to eat now days. I was just always so amazed watching the guy at the organ and watching all the drums being played and all the lights and other stuff. I will always remember this place.
God I miss that place. Took my girlfriend (now wife) on our first date there in 1979. A crying shame that it's gone but thanks so much for posting this!
i remember going here when i was really young i loved it! i live in toronto but i guess someone shut it down i hear its now the bier market or the old spaghetti factory.
I was having a discussion about careers today with a workmate, and he was unaware I used to play at the Organ Grinder back in tha day. He asked if I was Googlable, and I checked to show him a link for me on the Toronto Organ Club site - but this also popped up!
I've got a DVD I was sent by a school group that I'll post on YouTube as well (once I find it) with more from the OG. Anyhow, thanks for the blast from the past, and don't blame me for the Wham request!.
@Donman67 : Were you the only musician that played this particular Wurlitzer? I am in my 30's and spent many, many birthdays there growing up. It is really a shame what they did down on the Esplanade. Can you say where the organ is now? Does it still have all of the musical attachments that were posted around the restaurant?
@Donman67 : Were you the only musician that played this particular Wurlitzer? I am in my 30's and spent many, many birthdays there growing up. It is really a shame what they did down on the Esplanade. Can you say where the organ is now? Does it still have all of the musical attachments that were posted around the restaurant?
This was my favourite restaurant as a kid. My brother and I used to go from age 6 to about 9. We moved around and weren't too close by, but I insisted on going whenever we came downtown. It would still be a hit for all us 20 somethings that had the priviledge of going when we were young. Great place. Thanks for posting this. =)
Just south of Front, actually - 56 The Esplanade. It's now the Esplanade Bier Market, but they STILL get people coming there and the Spag thinking the OG is still around!
This was not the same owners as the Organ Grinder in Portland and Denver. However the concepts are similar. I am TRYING to talk someone from the Portland O.G. to let me convert and post some footage recorded there. Wish they were all still open for business! I miss the place.
I too miss the one in Portland. One comment on the xylophone at 0:41, it looks identical to the one that was here in Portland. Sad how one really misses something that is gone for good and didnt appreciate it until it was too late
Thanks for posting this - it was great seeing the place again! Whenever we took our Boy Scout troop to Toronto, I would be sure to schedule a meal there! It was a great place for kids- They loved it! (And so did I!)
I heard the sad news that it had closed, but I never heard why.
The OG was owned by the same company/guy that owns the Spag Factory, Scotland Yard and the former Brandy's (as well as Tony Roma's, I believe). In summer '96, the Esplanade was shut down for installation of larger water mains with new condos going up in the area, and as the summer is the most profitable time for the block, he lost too much $ to keep all 4 places open (plus he'd made some bad decisions along the way in remodelling the Grinder and Brandy's). So, OG = highest overhead = bye-bye. :(
Great footage of an Organ Grinder Pizza restaurant! Glad you posted this. There are several audio recordings available of these instruments on CD and vinyl, but videos seem to be very rare. I love how the tuned percussions were out in the open and they had pilot lamps for each note. I loved the Portland restaurant. Total sensory overload. The smell and taste of pizza with root beer...the sight of crazy lights and polished pipework...the intense sound (and feel!) of the organ. Good memories.
Thanks for the comment NardDogz. I agree that there didn't seem to be much youtube video from inside the various Organ Grinders which is why I went to the trouble of posting it. Hopefully someone else has some!
So sad to learn it's closed now,...Glad I got to go at least once back in early 1996 on our 8th grade class trip to Toronto. This was the most memorable event for me out of the entire trip!! Thanks For Posting!!
Blahbevava 3 days ago
Loved this place when I was little and lived in Canada in the 80's! Thank you for posting this and bringing back great memories! I didn't know it closed down! :(
glowkiss 1 month ago
I had my party at the organ grinder in toronto in 1981
Palejewell 5 months ago
Sounds good to hear some good old rock 'n' roll on that organ. Sounds like the organist has listened to some Jerry Lee Lewis before. Good stufff.
steamrocks 6 months ago
Thanks for the posting. I remember going there frequently when Lance Luce, Don Thompson, David Lobban and Ashley Miller - all of whom were talented and unique musicians. It's too bad it had to close....it was great fun. I'll always remember "Spoon Time" - where The Entertainer was played and the people would slam the rhythm on the table tops - much to the distress of the staff, but it was part of the song.
30rickal1 6 months ago
Does anyone know the opening/closing dates of the Organ Grinders in Toronto and Vancouver, the rank/manual numbers for them, and the brand of organ? I've found zero about Vancouver, and all I know about this one is in the video - that being what looks like a Marr & Colton console.
JonasClark 9 months ago
@JonasClark - Toronto opened in the spring of 1975 and I worked there from 75 to March 1978 when I transferred to the one in Vancouver. Vancouver closed in 1980. The owner at that time can be found by googling
Dr Lee Pulos
CharlieSeaman 5 months ago
@CharlieSeaman Thanks a lot!
JonasClark 5 months ago
Mongo, there were I believe about 4-5 Featured Organists and a bunch of Associate ones that performed there over the years, starting with Don Thompson, then Craig Stevens, Lance Luce and then myself for the last 5 years we were open. The organ was sold to be moved to another restaurant in Harrisburg, PA, but that also closed down shortly afterward and the organ was broken up and sold again for parts.
Donman67 9 months ago
Heh - that would have been me you heard, Cornwall and Al! Glad you liked the performances!
Donman67 9 months ago
@Donman67 Yeah, you did a great job with doing the Phantom of the Opera. I did have a little chuckle as you gave the warning to those who were sitting closer to the organ.
cornwallthedragon 9 months ago
So cool, I wish there was more video of this it is the place that got me hooked on theater organs! I was probably 7 or 8 when I went there!
piano881000 1 year ago
This place brings back some good memories. The last time I was there was probably around 1992 or 1993. The organist did a great version of "I Will Always Love You" along with a medley of Disney movie tunes and Billy Joel's "Lullaby" and "River of Dreams". Not to mention countless times the "Happy Birthday Song" was played. Though it was sad to walk by when walking past this place to catch my train to see that it had closed.
cornwallthedragon 1 year ago
brings back memories....I was for a short time an associate organist there at the Toronto Organ Grinder when Don thompson was the featured organist, along with Bill Hagy (who I filled in for for several weeks when he went to help open the short-lived OG in St. Louis, MO) and Colin Cousins also played there weekends.
VaPipeorgantuner 1 year ago
Went here with my high school band on our spring trip freshman year. I remember being blown away by the organists performance of 'hello goodbye' by the beatles. I also remember them not being ready for us when we arrived, so we had 30 min of free time. Myself and about 7 others ran to the stadium and CN tower... i got a hard rock cafe t-shirt. Good memories.
UmbrellaAl 1 year ago
I miss it D ;
anglerfly 1 year ago
Oh my god... hahaha this place was the best... thanks for posting this... i went here every time i visted my aunt and grandma in toronto... looks just like i remembered it
MikeyPryce 1 year ago
I remember the one in Denver, CO. What a shame it had to close back in I believe in 1988. We had many B-day parties there. It's hard to find fun places to eat now days. I was just always so amazed watching the guy at the organ and watching all the drums being played and all the lights and other stuff. I will always remember this place.
Thank you so much for posting this video!
cyberbri68 1 year ago
God I miss that place. Took my girlfriend (now wife) on our first date there in 1979. A crying shame that it's gone but thanks so much for posting this!
Parkwaymania 1 year ago
Parts still are there
anglerfly 1 year ago
I miss that restaruant.
anglerfly 1 year ago
i remember going here when i was really young i loved it! i live in toronto but i guess someone shut it down i hear its now the bier market or the old spaghetti factory.
killratoss 1 year ago
Thank-you for posting this video, I miss this place so much!:)
ii900x940 2 years ago
Posted this on FB as well:
I was having a discussion about careers today with a workmate, and he was unaware I used to play at the Organ Grinder back in tha day. He asked if I was Googlable, and I checked to show him a link for me on the Toronto Organ Club site - but this also popped up!
I've got a DVD I was sent by a school group that I'll post on YouTube as well (once I find it) with more from the OG. Anyhow, thanks for the blast from the past, and don't blame me for the Wham request!.
Donman67 2 years ago
@Donman67 : Were you the only musician that played this particular Wurlitzer? I am in my 30's and spent many, many birthdays there growing up. It is really a shame what they did down on the Esplanade. Can you say where the organ is now? Does it still have all of the musical attachments that were posted around the restaurant?
So many good memories....
MongoBiggityBongo 1 year ago
@Donman67 : Were you the only musician that played this particular Wurlitzer? I am in my 30's and spent many, many birthdays there growing up. It is really a shame what they did down on the Esplanade. Can you say where the organ is now? Does it still have all of the musical attachments that were posted around the restaurant?
So many good memories....
MongoBiggityBongo 1 year ago
This was my favourite restaurant as a kid. My brother and I used to go from age 6 to about 9. We moved around and weren't too close by, but I insisted on going whenever we came downtown. It would still be a hit for all us 20 somethings that had the priviledge of going when we were young. Great place. Thanks for posting this. =)
Curmudgeons 2 years ago
time warp!
i used to visit my aunt every summer in Toronto (1980's) & she took me to the Organ Grinder several times....... it was LOUD
it was down on Lake Ave or Front street i think..... right near the Old Spaghetti Factory.......
PetLadybug 2 years ago
Just south of Front, actually - 56 The Esplanade. It's now the Esplanade Bier Market, but they STILL get people coming there and the Spag thinking the OG is still around!
Donman67 2 years ago
This was not the same owners as the Organ Grinder in Portland and Denver. However the concepts are similar. I am TRYING to talk someone from the Portland O.G. to let me convert and post some footage recorded there. Wish they were all still open for business! I miss the place.
etnmarchand 2 years ago
I too miss the one in Portland. One comment on the xylophone at 0:41, it looks identical to the one that was here in Portland. Sad how one really misses something that is gone for good and didnt appreciate it until it was too late
mrksvideos 2 years ago
Thanks for posting this - it was great seeing the place again! Whenever we took our Boy Scout troop to Toronto, I would be sure to schedule a meal there! It was a great place for kids- They loved it! (And so did I!)
I heard the sad news that it had closed, but I never heard why.
Branchporter 2 years ago
The OG was owned by the same company/guy that owns the Spag Factory, Scotland Yard and the former Brandy's (as well as Tony Roma's, I believe). In summer '96, the Esplanade was shut down for installation of larger water mains with new condos going up in the area, and as the summer is the most profitable time for the block, he lost too much $ to keep all 4 places open (plus he'd made some bad decisions along the way in remodelling the Grinder and Brandy's). So, OG = highest overhead = bye-bye. :(
Donman67 2 years ago
Great footage of an Organ Grinder Pizza restaurant! Glad you posted this. There are several audio recordings available of these instruments on CD and vinyl, but videos seem to be very rare. I love how the tuned percussions were out in the open and they had pilot lamps for each note. I loved the Portland restaurant. Total sensory overload. The smell and taste of pizza with root beer...the sight of crazy lights and polished pipework...the intense sound (and feel!) of the organ. Good memories.
NardDogz 2 years ago
Thanks for the comment NardDogz. I agree that there didn't seem to be much youtube video from inside the various Organ Grinders which is why I went to the trouble of posting it. Hopefully someone else has some!
Salmagundiii 2 years ago