Ross
Senior Member
Not a musician, but the Consummate Enabler.
Steve Kirman, proprietor of the iconic Steve’s Music Store in Montreal, died yesterday following a brief illness at age 65.
Steve (he was never known as “Kirman” – few even knew his last name) opened the shop in 1965. Although Montreal had other stores that sold musical instruments, these sold mostly violins, pianos & wind instruments, plus a few classical guitars. Steve saw the potential in “guitar-based” folk and rock music, and his store carried acoustic and electric guitars, drums and all accessories. He also put the instruments out on the floor, where customers could handle them and play them at will, rather than keeping them behind glass or otherwise out of reach.
The store opened on St. Antoine Street in Old Montreal, in a block occupied chiefly by pawnshops. As the business expanded, it took over adjacent stores, and now occupies the entire block. There are also stores in Ottawa and Toronto.
I remember making the pilgrimage downtown to visit Steve’s. For years it was the only place in town that had a decent selection of instruments & accessories. Musicians often hung out there, and you’d never know who you’d see.
The next generation is carrying on the business. RIP Steve.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Steven+Kirman+owner+Steve+Music+dies/6254712/story.html
And in other Montreal news…..
Another iconic Montreal establishment is Schwartz’s delicatessen, on St. Laurent Blvd (not far north of Steve’s). Schwartz’s was established in the 1920s, and is the leading purveyor of smoked meat in a city that’s famous for this delicacy.
The family is no longer interested in running the restaurant, and the entire city has been holding its breath in fear that the place would close. Fortunately, a wealthy local benefactor has purchased the delicatessen and vowed to keep it running.
The new owner is Celine Dion.
Steve Kirman, proprietor of the iconic Steve’s Music Store in Montreal, died yesterday following a brief illness at age 65.
Steve (he was never known as “Kirman” – few even knew his last name) opened the shop in 1965. Although Montreal had other stores that sold musical instruments, these sold mostly violins, pianos & wind instruments, plus a few classical guitars. Steve saw the potential in “guitar-based” folk and rock music, and his store carried acoustic and electric guitars, drums and all accessories. He also put the instruments out on the floor, where customers could handle them and play them at will, rather than keeping them behind glass or otherwise out of reach.
The store opened on St. Antoine Street in Old Montreal, in a block occupied chiefly by pawnshops. As the business expanded, it took over adjacent stores, and now occupies the entire block. There are also stores in Ottawa and Toronto.
I remember making the pilgrimage downtown to visit Steve’s. For years it was the only place in town that had a decent selection of instruments & accessories. Musicians often hung out there, and you’d never know who you’d see.
The next generation is carrying on the business. RIP Steve.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Steven+Kirman+owner+Steve+Music+dies/6254712/story.html
And in other Montreal news…..
Another iconic Montreal establishment is Schwartz’s delicatessen, on St. Laurent Blvd (not far north of Steve’s). Schwartz’s was established in the 1920s, and is the leading purveyor of smoked meat in a city that’s famous for this delicacy.
The family is no longer interested in running the restaurant, and the entire city has been holding its breath in fear that the place would close. Fortunately, a wealthy local benefactor has purchased the delicatessen and vowed to keep it running.
The new owner is Celine Dion.
