Hamilton-based Sunset Neon recently began restoring Toronto’s famous Sam the Record Man signage, which will have a new home later this year at 277 Victoria Street, overlooking Yonge-Dundas Square.
“It’s amazing to discover just how well some of the original components have aged,” says Tony Bianchi, account manager for Sunset Neon.
By way of example, the ‘spindle’ from the centre of the older of two spinning neon records turned out to be a 3.8-L (1-gal) paint can, more than 45 years old but sufficiently well-preserved to remain in place. The light-flasher units that made the records appear to rotate, meanwhile, will be reprogrammed by The Markle Brothers, who built one of the giant records in 1969.
The project is expected to take three months to complete, culminating in a lighting ceremony this fall (see rendering).
My dad, Leroy Wilson, built the sign for the Markle Brothers. He is 86 years old now. He had to bend all those neon tubes so that they looked like the tracks of a record LP. We drove up and down Yonge Street many times looking at that sign and taking pictures when Iw as young. He was very proud of his achievement. I am glad that someone is restoring the sign back to its original lustre. Thank you. Regards, Andrew