York University Professor Rob Bowman, from the Department of Music in the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design, is co-author of a just-published book showcasing Toronto’s vast concert history.
Born from the popular Instagram account of the same name, The Flyer Vault: 150 Years of Toronto Concert History serves as a time capsule of Toronto’s most iconic concert moments.
From Duke Ellington and David Bowie to Daft Punk, Toronto has played host to many musical legends, solidifying its place as a major music destination both nationally and globally.
Featuring a foreword by Rush’s Geddy Lee, The Flyer Vault runs the gamut of musical genres – from vaudeville to techno and everything in between – using co-author Daniel Tate’s extensive collection of concert posters and flyers to illustrate the breadth of Toronto’s musical history.
Complementing the stunning visuals are stories highlighting iconic moments in the city’s legendary music venues, including the Horseshoe Tavern, Massey Hall, the Rock Pile, the Edge and many more.
Bowman is a Grammy Award winner who has been writing about music for more than 40 years. His book Soulsville U.S.A.: The Story of Stax Records was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2013.
Tate worked in the concert industry for several years before starting The Flyer Vault project on Instagram in 2015. His efforts to chronicle Toronto’s live music history have been featured in the Globe and Mail, NOW, Vice and BlogTO.
“These pages will take you on a musical, magical mystery tour of Toronto’s important place in concert history,” said York grad Dan Kanter (BFA ’07), a multiplatinum songwriter and producer, about the book. “Reading The Flyer Vault creates a rush just like the one you get when the house lights go down.”
Concert promoter and producer Gary Topp offered an equally glowing review: “I’m not sure there’s ever been anything like this…. The graphics are fascinating, the script is comprehensive. It’s staggering what’s been unleashed from the Vault.”
The Flyer Vault is now available for purchase online.